Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 240 / Monday, December 14, 2020 / Proposed Rules 80693 

accordance with 14 CFR 43.9 (a)(1) through 

(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record 

must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 

91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. 

(6) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2017– 

0125 specifies to ‘‘accomplish the applicable 

corrective action(s) in accordance with the 

instructions of Paragraph 3.B.1 of the 

applicable inspection ASB,’’ for this AD, a 

qualified mechanic must add oil to the TGB 

to the ‘‘max’’ level if the oil level is not at 

maximum. The instructions are for reference 

only and are not required for the actions in 

paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2017–0125. 

(7) Where EASA AD 2017–0125 refers to 

flight hours (FH), this AD requires using 

hours time-in-service. 

(8) Where EASA AD 2017–0125 requires 

action after the last flight of the day or 

‘‘ALF,’’ this AD requires those actions before 

the first flight of the day. 

(9) Where the service information referred 

to in EASA AD 2017–0125 specifies to 

perform a metallurgical analysis and contact 

the manufacturer if collected particles are not 

clearly characterized, this AD does not 

require contacting the manufacturer to 

determine the characterization of the 

particles collected. 

(10) Although service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2017–0125 specifies 

to scrap parts, this AD does not include that 

requirement. 

(11) Although service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2017–0125 specifies 

reporting information to Airbus Helicopters 

and filling in a ‘‘particle dectection’’ followup sheet, this AD does not include those 

requirements. 

(12) Although service information 

referenced in EASA AD 2017–0125 specifies 

returning certain parts to an approved 

workshop, this AD does not include that 

requirement. 

(13) Where paragraph (6) of EASA AD 

2017–0125 refers to ‘‘any discrepancy,’’ for 

this AD, discrepancies include the presence 

of particles and other conditions such as 

abrasions, scales, flakes, and splinters. 

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): 

The Manager, International Validation 

Branch, 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 International Validation Branch, send 

it to the attention of the person identified in 

paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Information may 

be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@

faa.gov. 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. 

(j) Related Information 

(1) For information about EASA AD 2017– 

0125, contact the EASA, Konrad-AdenauerUfer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone 

+49 221 8999 000; email ADs@

easa.europa.eu; internet 

www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 

EASA AD on the EASA website at https://

ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this 

material at the FAA, Office of the Regional 

Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood 

Pkwy, Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. 

For information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 817–222–5110. This 

material may be found in the AD docket on 

the internet at https://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–1123. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Kathleen Arrigotti, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, 

International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 

South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 

telephone and fax 206–231–3218; email 

kathleen.arrigotti@faa.gov. 

Issued on December 8, 2020. 

Gaetano A. Sciortino, 

Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2020–27416 Filed 12–11–20; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2020–0819; Project 

Identifier 2019–CE–027–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Textron 

Aviation Inc. Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to 

supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 

97–06–10, which applies to certain 

Raytheon Aircraft Company (type 

certificate now held by Textron 

Aviation Inc. (Textron)) Model 76 

airplanes. AD 97–06–10 requires 

repetitively inspecting the main landing 

gear (MLG) ‘‘A’’ frame assemblies for 

cracks and replacing any cracked 

assembly. Since the FAA issued AD 97– 

06–10, the replacement parts have also 

experienced failure due to cracking. 

This proposed AD would require 

magnetic particle inspections of the 

MLG ‘‘A’’ frame assemblies for cracks 

and replacement of the affected parts if 

necessary. The FAA is proposing this 

AD to address the unsafe condition on 

these products. 

DATES: The FAA must receive comments 

on this proposed AD by January 28, 

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 NPRM, contact Textron Aviation 

Customer Service, P.O. Box 7706, 

Wichita, Kansas 67277; phone: (316) 

517–5800; email: customercare@

txtav.com; website: https://txtav.com. 

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. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–0819; 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 

NPRM, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

Docket Operations is listed above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Brian Adamson, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 

1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, 

Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946–4193; 

fax: (316) 946–4107; email: 

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

The FAA invites 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–2020–0819; Project 

Identifier 2019–CE–027–AD’’ at the 

beginning of your comments. The most 

helpful comments reference a specific 

portion of the final rule, explain the 

reason for any recommended change, 

and include supporting data. The FAA 

will consider all comments received by 

the closing date and may amend this 

proposal because of those comments. 

Except for Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) as described in the 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
80694 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 240 / Monday, December 14, 2020 / Proposed Rules 

following paragraph, and other 

information as described in 14 CFR 

11.35, the FAA will post all comments 

received, without change, to https://

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. The 

agency will also post a report 

summarizing each substantive verbal 

contact received about this proposed 

AD. 

Confidential Business Information 

CBI is commercial or financial 

information that is both customarily and 

actually treated as private by its owner. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 

(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt 

from public disclosure. If your 

comments responsive to this NPRM 

contain commercial or financial 

information that is customarily treated 

as private, that you actually treat as 

private, and that is relevant or 

responsive to this NPRM, it is important 

that you clearly designate the submitted 

comments as CBI. Please mark each 

page of your submission containing CBI 

as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such 

marked submissions as confidential 

under the FOIA, and they will not be 

placed in the public docket of this 

NPRM. Submissions containing CBI 

should be sent to Brian Adamson, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, Wichita ACO 

Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport Rd., 

Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946– 

4193; fax: (316) 946–4107; email: 

brian.adamson@faa.gov or WichitaCOS@faa.gov. Any commentary that the 

FAA receives which is not specifically 

designated as CBI will be placed in the 

public docket for this rulemaking. 

Background 

The FAA issued AD 97–06–10, 

Amendment 39–9967 (62 FR 12949, 

March 19, 1997) (AD 97–06–10), for 

Raytheon Aircraft Company (type 

certificate now held by Textron) Model 

76 airplanes, serial numbers ME–1 

through ME–437, that do not have both 

a part number (P/N) 105–810023–75 

(left) and P/N 105–810023–76 (right) 

MLG ‘‘A’’ frame assembly installed. AD 

97–06–10 requires repetitive visual and 

dye penetrant inspections of the MLG 

‘‘A’’ frame assemblies for cracks and 

replacement of any assembly found 

cracked. AD 97–06–10 resulted from 

Raytheon developing improved design 

MLG ‘‘A’’ frame assemblies (P/N 105– 

810023–75 and P/N 105–810023–76), 

and the FAA’s determination that Model 

76 airplanes with these improved design 

assemblies installed on both the left and 

right MLG should be exempt from the 

AD requirements. The FAA issued AD 

97–06–10 to prevent MLG failure 

because of a cracked ‘‘A’’ frame 

assembly, which could result in loss of 

control of the airplane during landing. 

Actions Since AD 97–06–10 Was Issued 

Since AD 97–06–10 was issued, the 

FAA received reports of P/N 105– 

810023–75 and P/N 105–810023–76 

‘‘A’’ frame assemblies cracking and 

failing, resulting in damage to the 

propeller and outboard wing area. 

Analysis of the cracked parts identified 

fatigue cracking as the cause of failure. 

In some cases, the failed parts had been 

subjected to visual and dye penetrant 

inspections within 100 hours before the 

failure. The FAA determined visual and 

dye penetrant inspections did not 

adequately detect cracks in the MLG 

‘‘A’’ frame assemblies, and this 

proposed AD would require repetitive 

magnetic particle inspections. Magnetic 

particle provides quicker results (after 

testing setup) with improved accuracy. 

Also, since AD 97–06–10 was issued, 

the type certificate for the Model 76 

airplane was transferred from Raytheon 

to Textron and Textron designed new 

replacement parts, P/Ns 105–810023– 

0083 (left) and 105–810023–0084 (right), 

that would not be subject to the 

repetitive magnetic particle inspections 

proposed in this NPRM. However, the 

newly designed MLG assemblies are 

still subject to the repetitive inspections 

specified in the maintenance manual. 

FAA’s Determination 

The FAA is issuing this NPRM after 

determining 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 Beechcraft 

Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 32–4156, 

dated May 3, 2019. The service 

information specifies a repetitive 

magnetic particle inspection for fatigue 

cracks adjacent to the gussets for the 

torque arm of each MLG ‘‘A’’ frame and 

destroying the assembly if cracks are 

found. The service information also 

specifies procedures for installing a 

replacement assembly or re-installing an 

assembly when no cracks are found. 

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. 

Proposed AD Requirements in This 

NPRM 

This proposed AD would retain none 

of the requirements of AD 97–06–10. 

This proposed AD would require 

magnetic particle inspection of the MLG 

‘‘A’’ frame assemblies and provides new 

designed assemblies for replacement, P/ 

Ns 105–810023–0083 (left) and 105– 

810023–0084 (right). 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD, if 

adopted as proposed, would affect 437 

airplanes of U.S. registry. 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to comply with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Inspection of MLG ‘‘A’’ frame assembly.26 work-hours × $85 per hour = 

$2,210.

Not applicable ................................ $2,210 $965,770 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to do any necessary replacements 

that would be required based on the 

results of the proposed inspection. The 

FAA has no way of determining the 

number of aircraft that might need these 

replacements: 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 240 / Monday, December 14, 2020 / Proposed Rules 80695 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Replacement of assembly (NOTE: No additional labor 

cost since re-installation labor is included with the 

inspection cost).

Not applicable ............................................................... $7,864 $7,864 

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 

The FAA 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 that the proposed regulation: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Would not affect intrastate 

aviation in Alaska, and 

(3) Would 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. 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: 

■ a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 

97–06–10, Amendment 39–9967 (62 FR 

12949, March 19, 1997); and 

■ b. Adding the following new 

airworthiness directive: 

Textron Aviation Inc.: Docket No. FAA– 

2020–0819; Project Identifier 2019–CE– 

027–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) by January 28, 

2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD replaces AD 97–06–10, 

Amendment 39–9967 (62 FR 12949, March 

19, 1997) (AD 97–06–10). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Textron Aviation (type 

certificate previously held by Raytheon 

Aircraft Company, Hawker Beechcraft 

Corporation, and Beechcraft Corporation) 

Model 76 airplanes, serial numbers ME–1 

through ME–437, certificated in any category, 

except airplanes with main landing gear 

(MLG) ‘‘A’’ frame assemblies part number (P/ 

N) 105–810023–0083 (left) and P/N 105– 

810023–0084 (right) installed. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code 3200; Landing Gear. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by cracks found in 

MLG ‘‘A’’ frame assemblies. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks 

in the MLG assemblies, which, if not 

addressed, could result in failure of the MLG 

assemblies and lead to loss of control of the 

airplane during landing. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Actions 

Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) 

after the last dye penetrant inspection 

required by AD 97–06–10 or within 12 

months after the effective date of this AD, 

whichever comes first, and thereafter at 

intervals to not exceed 100 hours TIS or 12 

months, whichever occurs first, do a 

magnetic particle inspection for cracks on the 

left MLG ‘‘A’’ frame assembly P/N 105– 

810023–3, 105–810023–67, or 105–810023– 

75 and the right MLG ‘‘A’’ frame assembly P/ 

N 105–810023–4, 105–810023–68, or 105– 

810023–76 and, before further flight, take all 

necessary corrective actions. Do all actions 

by following the Accomplishment 

Instructions, paragraphs 4 through 13, of 

Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 

32–4156, dated May 3, 2019. 

(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. 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 

certification office, send it to the attention of 

the person identified in Related Information. 

(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. 

(i) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Brian Adamson, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 

Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 

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

946–4107; email: brian.adamson@faa.gov or 

Wichita-COS@faa.gov. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Textron Aviation Customer 

Service, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 

67277; phone: (316) 517–5800; email: 

customercare@txtav.com; website: https://

txtav.com. You may view this referenced 

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. 

Issued on December 8, 2020. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2020–27282 Filed 12–11–20; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS