This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by

the Superintendent of Documents.

Rules and Regulations Federal Register

78699 

Vol. 85, No. 235 

Monday, December 7, 2020 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2020–0718; Project 

Identifier 2019–CE–045–AD; Amendment 

39–21343; AD 2020–25–01] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Textron 

Aviation, Inc. Airplanes (Type 

Certificate Previously Held by 

Beechcraft Corporation) 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) (type 

certificate previously held by Beechcraft 

Corporation) Models F90, 65–90, 65– 

A90, B90, C90, H90 (T–44A), E90, 65– 

A90–1 (JU–21A, U–21A, RU–21A, RU– 

21D, U–21G, RU–21H), 65–A90–2 (RU– 

21B), 65–A90–3 (RU–21C), 65–A90–4 

(RU–21E, RU–21H), 99, 99A, 99A 

(FACH), A99, A99A, B99, C99, 100, 

A100 (U–21F), and B100 airplanes. This 

AD was prompted by reports of fatigue 

cracks in the lower forward wing fitting. 

This AD requires a one-time inspection 

for the presence of washer part number 

(P/N) 90–380058–1 on the left-hand 

(LH) and right-hand (RH) lower forward 

wing bolt and, if applicable, removing 

washer P/N 90–380058–1, inspecting 

the wing fitting, bolt, and nut, replacing 

the wing fitting if it is cracked, and 

replacing the washer with washer P/N 

90–380019–1. The FAA is issuing this 

AD to address the unsafe condition on 

these products. 

DATES: This AD is effective January 11, 

2021. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of January 11, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this final rule, contact 

Textron Aviation Inc., P.O. Box 7706, 

Wichita, KS 67277; phone: 316–517– 

5800; internet: https://txtav.com/. You 

may view this service information at the 

FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust 

St., Kansas City, MO 64106. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 816–329–4148. 

It is also available on the internet at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–0718. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2020– 

0718; or in person at Docket Operations 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

The AD docket contains this final rule, 

any comments received, and other 

information. The address for Docket 

Operations is Docket Operations, U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Docket 

Operations, M–30, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 

20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Brian C. Adamson, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, AIR– 

7K3, FAA, 1801 Airport Rd, Wichita, KS 

67209; phone: 316–946–4193; fax: 316– 

946–4107; email: brian.adamson@

faa.gov or Wichita-COS@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

The FAA issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to certain Textron (type certificate 

previously held by Beechcraft 

Corporation) Models F90, 65–90, 65– 

A90, B90, C90, H90 (T–44A), E90, 65– 

A90–1 (JU–21A, U–21A, RU–21A, RU– 

21D, U–21G, RU–21H), 65–A90–2 (RU– 

21B), 65–A90–3 (RU–21C), 65–A90–4 

(RU–21E, RU–21H), 99, 99A, 99A 

(FACH), A99, A99A, B99, C99, 100, 

A100 (U–21F), and B100 airplanes. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on July 29, 2020 (85 FR 45545). 

The NPRM was prompted by Textron 

receiving reports of fatigue cracks in the 

lower forward wing fitting on two 

airplanes. Investigation revealed that 

installing washer P/N 90–380058–1 on 

the wing bolt will cause a premature 

torque indication. This washer may 

have been installed as part of kit 101– 

4024–3 on Models F90, 65–90, 65–A90, 

B90, C90, H90 (T–44A), E90, 65–A90–1 

(JU–21A, U–21A, RU–21A, RU–21D, U– 

21G, RU–21H), 65–A90–2 (RU–21B), 

65–A90–3 (RU–21C), 65–A90–4 (RU– 

21E, RU–21H), 99, 99A, 99A (FACH), 

A99, A99A, B99, C99, 100, A100 (U– 

21F), and B100 airplanes, or as part of 

kit 90–4077–1 on Models 65–90, 65– 

A90, 65–A90–1 (JU–21A, U–21A, RU– 

21A, RU–21D, U–21G, RU–21H), 65– 

A90–2 (RU–21B), 65–A90–3 (RU–21C), 

65–A90–4 (RU–21E, RU–21H), B90, 

C90, and E90 airplanes. Under-torque of 

the wing bolt causes a reduced clamping 

force that changes the load path reacted 

by the RH and LH lower forward wing 

fitting. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

require a one-time inspection for the 

presence of washer P/N 90–380058–1 on 

the LH and RH lower forward wing bolt 

and, if applicable, removing washer P/ 

N 90–380058–1, inspecting the wing 

fitting, bolt, and nut, replacing the wing 

fitting if it is cracked, and replacing the 

washer with washer P/N 90–380019–1. 

This condition, if not addressed, could 

result in fatigue cracks that lead to 

failure of the forward lower wing fitting, 

wing separation, and loss of airplane 

control. 

Comments 

The FAA received one comment from 

an individual commenter. The following 

presents the comment received on the 

NPRM and the FAA’s response to the 

comment. 

Request Change to Applicability 

An individual commenter requested 

that the AD identify the applicable 

airplanes by serial number. The 

commenter stated that on the Beech 

Model C90A serial number LJ-1450 

airplane, the lower front wing 

connections are designed as shear 

fittings with shear bolts, and therefore 

the washers are not affected. The FAA 

disagrees. The AD, as proposed, clearly 

lists the applicable airplane models and 

serial numbers. The FAA responded to 

the commenter by email and advised 

that the AD, as proposed, would not 

apply to the Model C90A. A copy of the 

comment and the FAA’s response is in 

the AD docket. 


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78700 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 235 / Monday, December 7, 2020 / Rules and Regulations 

Conclusion 

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comment received, and 

determined that air safety requires 

adopting this AD as proposed. 

Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD 

to address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed Beechcraft 

Mandatory Service Letter MTL–57–01, 

Revision 1, dated September 19, 2018. 

The service information contains 

procedures for a one-time inspection for 

the presence of washer P/N 90–380058– 

1 on the LH and RH lower forward wing 

bolt and, if applicable, removing washer 

P/N 90–380058–1; inspecting the wing 

fitting, bolt, and nut; replacing the wing 

fitting if it is cracked; and replacing the 

washer with washer P/N 90–380019–1. 

This service information is reasonably 

available because the interested parties 

have access to it through their normal 

course of business or by the means 

identified in the ADDRESSES section. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

Service Information 

The service information specifies 

inspecting within 200 flight hours or 12 

months, whichever occurs earlier. This 

AD would require inspecting within the 

next 200 flight hours or 12 months, 

whichever occurs later. 

The service information applies to 

Models A100A and A100C airplanes, 

and to Model F90 with S/N LA–1. This 

AD would not apply to these airplanes 

because they do not have an FAA type 

certificate. 

This AD would apply to military 

Models T–44A, JU–21A, RU–21A, RU– 

21B, RU–21C, RU–21D, RU–21E, RU– 

21H, U–21A, U–21F, U–21G, and FACH 

airplanes, because these models have a 

civil counterpart that is subject to the 

unsafe condition. The service 

information does not apply to all of 

these military models. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD will 

affect 1,319 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to comply with this AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Inspection for washer P/N 90–380058–1 

(LH Wing Fitting).

0.3 work-hour × $85 per hour = $25.50 ..... Not applicable ...... $25.50 $33,634.50 

Inspection for washer P/N 90–380058–1 

(RH Wing Fitting).

0.3 work-hour × $85 per hour = $25.50 ..... Not applicable ...... 25.50 33,634.50 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to do any necessary replacements 

that would be required based on the 

results of the inspection. The FAA has 

no way of determining the number of 

airplanes that might need these 

replacements: 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

RH Wing bolt, washer, and nut removal .................................... 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 ....... $335 ..................... $1,015 

LH Wing bolt, washer, and nut removal .................................... 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = 680 ......... $335 ..................... 1,015 

Inspection of RH Lower Forward Wing Fitting ........................... 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = 170 ......... Not applicable ...... 170 

Inspection of LH Lower Forward Wing Fitting ........................... 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = 170 ......... Not applicable ...... 170 

Removal and Replacement of P/N 50–120073–8 RH Lower 

Forward Wing Fitting.

150 work-hours × $85 per hour = 12,750 $7,297.85 ............. 20,047.85 

Removal and Replacement of P/N 50–120073–7 LH Lower 

Forward Wing Fitting.

150 work-hours × $85 per hour = 12,750 $11,812.56 ........... 24,562.56 

The FAA has included all known 

costs in this cost estimate. According to 

the manufacturer, however, some of the 

costs of this AD may be covered under 

warranty, thereby reducing the cost 

impact on affected operators. 

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. 

The FAA is 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 

This AD will not have federalism 

implications under Executive Order 

13132. This AD will 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 that this AD: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska, and 

(3) 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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 235 / Monday, December 7, 2020 / Rules and Regulations 78701 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

2020–25–01 Textron Aviation, Inc., (Type 

Certificate Previously Held by 

Beechcraft Corporation): Amendment 

39–21343; Docket No. FAA–2020–0718; 

Project Identifier 2019–CE–045–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective January 11, 2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to the Textron Aviation 

Inc., (Textron) (type certificate previously 

held by Beechcraft Corporation) airplanes, 

certificated in any category, identified in 

table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC): 

5700, Wings. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by information 

provided by Textron that a washer assembly 

may provide premature torque indication 

that could lead to cracking of the wing fitting. 

The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent such 

fatigue cracks. The unsafe condition, if not 

addressed, could result in failure of the 

forward lower wing fitting, which could lead 

to wing separation and loss of airplane 

control. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified below, unless 

already done. 

(g) Action 

(1) Within the next 200 flight hours after 

the effective date of this AD or within 12 

months after the effective date of this AD, 

whichever occurs later, inspect each washer 

assembly attached to the left and right lower 

forward wing bolts and remove all part 

number 90–380058–1 washers in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions, 

paragraphs 3 through 5, of Beechcraft 

Mandatory Service Letter MTL–57–01, 

Revision 1, dated September 19, 2018 (MTL– 

57–01, Revision 1). In all locations where a 

washer part number 90–380058–1 was 

removed, do the following: 

(i) Inspect the bolt, nut, and fitting in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions, paragraph 6, of MTL–57–01, 

Revision 1. If there is a crack in the fitting, 

replace the fitting before further flight. 

(ii) Install a part number 90–380019–1 

washer in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 7, 

of MTL–57–01, Revision 1. 

(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do 

not install washer part number 90–380058– 

1 on any airplane listed in table 1 to 

paragraph (c) of this AD. 

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Wichita ACO Branch, 

FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs 

for this AD, if requested using the procedures 

found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 

ATTN: Brian C. Adamson, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, AIR–7K3, 

FAA, 1801 Airport Rd., Wichita, KS 67209; 

phone: 316–946–4193; fax: 316–946–4107; 

email: brian.adamson@faa.gov or WichitaCOS@faa.gov. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC on 

any airplane to which the AMOC applies, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector 

(PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District 

Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 

FSDO. 

(i) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Brian C. Adamson, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, AIR–7K3, 

FAA, 1801 Airport Rd., Wichita, KS 67209; 

phone: 316–946–4193; fax: 316–946–4107; 

email: brian.adamson@faa.gov or WichitaCOS@faa.gov. 

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Beechcraft Mandatory Service Letter 

MTL–57–01, Revision 1, dated September 19, 

2018. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(3) For Beechcraft service information 

identified in this AD, contact Textron 

Aviation Inc., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS 

67277: phone: 316–517–5800; internet: 

https://txtav.com/. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, 

Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information 

on the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call (816) 329–4148. 


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78702 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 235 / Monday, December 7, 2020 / Rules and Regulations 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, 

email: fedreg.legal@nara.gov or go to: https:// 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued on November 23, 2020. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2020–26773 Filed 12–4–20; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2020–1104; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2020–01421–P; Amendment 

39–21347; AD 2020–25–05] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Hoffmann 

GmbH & Co. KG Propellers 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG (Hoffmann) 

model HO–V 72 propellers. This AD 

was prompted by reports of cracks at 

different positions on two affected 

propeller hubs. This AD requires 

amending the existing aircraft flight 

manual (AFM) with abnormal propeller 

vibration instructions. This AD requires 

visual inspection and non-destructive 

test (NDT) inspection of the propeller 

hub and, depending on the results of the 

inspections, replacement of the 

propeller hub with a part eligible for 

installation. This AD also requires 

replacement of the propeller hub before 

exceeding 30 years since the date of 

manufacture or within 30 days after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever 

occurs later. The FAA is issuing this AD 

to address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: This AD is effective December 

22, 2020. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of December 22, 2020. 

The FAA must receive comments on 

this AD by January 21, 2021. 

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 

https://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 final rule, contact Hoffmann 

Propeller GmbH & Co. KG, Sales and 

Service, Ku ̈pferlingstrasse 9, 83022, 

Rosenheim, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 

8031 1878 0; fax: +49 (0) 8031 1878 78; 

email: info@hoffmann-prop.com; 

website: https://hoffmann-prop.com/. 

You may view this service information 

at the FAA, Airworthiness Products 

Section, Operational Safety Branch, 

1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 

01803. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, 

call (781) 238–7759. It is also available 

at https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–1104. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–1104; or in person at Docket 

Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. The AD docket contains this 

final rule, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

the Docket Operations is listed above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Michael Schwetz, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 

1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 

01803; phone: (781) 238–7761; fax: (781) 

238–7199; email: michael.schwetz@

faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The European Union Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Community, has issued EASA 

AD 2020–0226–E, dated October 16, 

2020 (referred to after this as ‘‘the 

MCAI’’), to address an unsafe condition 

for the specified products. The MCAI 

states: 

Cracks have been reported at different 

positions on two affected parts, both installed 

on Slingsby T67 ‘‘Firefly’’ aeroplanes. One 

crack was found during scheduled 

inspection, the other crack during an 

unscheduled inspection after abnormal 

vibrations occurred. Both cases are under 

investigation by Hoffmann Propeller. 

This condition, if not detected and 

corrected, could lead to in-flight propeller 

detachment, possibly resulting in damage to 

the airplane and/or injury to persons on the 

ground. 

To address this potential unsafe condition, 

Hoffmann issued the SB [service bulletin], 

providing applicable instructions. 

For the reasons described above, this 

[EASA] AD requires inspections of affected 

parts and, depending on findings, 

replacement, and introduces a life limit for 

affected parts. This [EASA] AD also requires, 

for certain aeroplanes, amendment of the 

applicable Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM). 

You may obtain further information 

by examining the MCAI in the AD 

docket at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–1104. 

FAA’s Determination 

The FAA is issuing this AD because 

the agency has determined the unsafe 

condition described previously is likely 

to exist or develop in other products of 

the same type design. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed Hoffmann 

Propeller GmbH & Co. KG Service 

Bulletin SB E53, Rev. B, dated October 

14, 2020. This service information 

specifies procedures for visual and NDT 

inspections of the propeller hub for 

cracks. This service information is 

reasonably available because the 

interested parties have access to it 

through their normal course of business 

or by the means identified in 

ADDRESSES. 

AD Requirements 

This AD requires amending the 

existing AFM with abnormal propeller 

vibration instructions. This AD also 

requires visual inspection and NDT 

inspection of the propeller hub and, 

depending on the results of the 

inspections, replacement of the 

propeller hub with a part eligible for 

installation. This AD also requires 

replacement of the propeller hub before 

exceeding 30 years since the date of 

manufacture or within 30 days after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever 

occurs later. 

Differences Between the AD and the 

MCAI 

EASA AD 2020–0226–E, dated 

October 16, 2020, applies to Hoffmann 

HO–V 72 propellers with propeller hub 

HO–V 72 ( ) ( )–( )–( ) that have been used 

or are expected to be used for aerobatic 

maneuvers. This AD applies to all 

Hoffmann model HO–V 72 propellers 

regardless of their use. 


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