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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 6, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66566-66568]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27052]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1180; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-032-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Hawker Beechcraft Corporation

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) Models 58, 58TC, 58P, 
95C55, E55, and 56TC airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by 
reports of elevator balance weights becoming loose or failing because 
the balance weight material was under strength and did not meet 
material specifications. This proposed AD would require inspections of 
elevator balance weights and replacement of defective elevator balance 
weights. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 21, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, B091-A04, 10511 E. Central Ave., 
Wichita, Kansas 67206; telephone: 1 (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140; 
fax: (316) 676-8027; email: tmdc@hawkerbeechcraft.com; or Internet: 
http://www.hawkerbeechcraft.com/

[[Page 66567]]

customer--support/technical--and--field--support/. You may review 
copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven E. Potter, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4124; fax: (316) 946-
4107; email: steven.potter@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-1180; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-032-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We received reports of elevator balance weights becoming loose or 
failing on Hawker Beechcraft Model 58 airplanes. The balance weight 
material was under strength and did not meet the material specification 
requirements. The balance weight looseness and/or failure could reduce 
the flutter speed and lead to loss of control.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 55-
4089, Revision 1, dated February, 2012. Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB 55-4089, Revision 1, dated February, 2012, 
describes procedures for inspection and replacement of the elevator 
balance weight assembly.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The service information specifies an inspection of the elevator 
balance weight with an optional replacement. This proposed AD requires 
that the elevator balance weight be replaced within 200 hours time-in-
service (TIS) after the effective date of this proposed AD, with a 100-
hour TIS inspection before the replacement.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 343 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                                             Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                                         Labor cost                                Parts cost            product        operators
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Inspection of the elevator balance    .5 work-hour x $85 per hour = $42.50......................  Not applicable........          $42.50      $14,577.50
 weight.
Replacement of elevator balance       1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85..........................  $300..................          385         132,055
 weight.
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    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

[[Page 66568]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2012-1180; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-CE-032-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 21, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Hawker Beechcraft Corporation 
(HBC) airplanes, certificated in any category:
    (1) Model 58, serial numbers TH-1768 through TH-2110; and
    (2) Models 58, 58TC, 58P, 95C55, E55, and 56TC that are equipped 
with elevator balance weight assemblies purchased between January 1, 
1996, and December 31, 2005.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2730: Elevator Balance Weight.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of reports of elevator balance 
weights becoming loose or failing because the balance weight 
material was under strength and did not meet material 
specifications. We are issuing this AD to prevent the elevator 
balance weights from becoming lose or failing, which could result in 
reduced flutter speed and lead to loss of control.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done, following the instructions in Hawker Beechcraft 
Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 55-4089, Revision 1, dated February, 
2012.

(g) Inspection of Elevator Balance Weight

    Before further flight after the effective date of this AD and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) until the replacement required by this AD is done, inspect the 
elevator balance weights for looseness, failure, and/or working 
(smoking) fasteners and inserts.

(h) Replacement of Elevator Balance Weight

    (1) Replace the defective elevator balance weight with an 
airworthy balance weight as specified in Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB 55-4089, Revision 1, dated February, 2012, at 
whichever of the following occurs first:
    (i) Before further flight after any inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD where any looseness, failure, and/or 
working (smoking) fasteners and inserts are found; or,
    (ii) Within the next 200 hours TIS after the effective date of 
this AD.
    (2) Replacement of the elevator balance weights with airworthy 
elevator balance weights terminates the 100-hour inspection 
requirement in paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (3) If only one elevator balance weight is replaced before 200 
hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, then the other 
elevator balance weight is subject to the repetitive inspections 
until the replacement required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight is permitted with the following limitations: 
Maximum structural cruising speed (Vno) = Design Speed 
for maximum gust intensity (Vb) = 195 Knots Calibrated 
Airspeed (KCAS), or Vno = Vb = 195KCAS. This 
special flight is not allowed in turbulent weather conditions and 
the duration of this flight should not be more than a total of 10 t 
hours TIS.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Steven E. 
Potter, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, 
Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4124; fax: 
(316) 946-4107; email: steven.potter@faa.gov.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, B091-A04, 10511 E. Central Ave., 
Wichita, Kansas 67206; telephone: 1 (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-
3140; fax: (316) 676-8027; email: tmdc@hawkerbeechcraft.com; or 
Internet: http://www.hawkerbeechcraft.com/customer_support/technical_and_field_support/. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 30, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-27052 Filed 11-5-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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