[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 146 (Wednesday, July 30, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40763-40765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20011]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-68-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon (Beech) Model 400, 400A, 400T, 
MU-300, and MU-300-10 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Raytheon (Beech) 
Model 400, 400A, MU-300-10, and 2000 airplanes, and Model 200, B200, 
300, and B300 series airplanes, that currently requires replacement of 
outflow/safety valves with serviceable valves. That AD was prompted by 
a report of cracking and consequent failure of outflow safety valves in 
the pressurization system. The actions specified by that AD are 
intended to prevent such cracking and consequent failure of the 
outflow/safety valves, which could result in rapid decompression of the 
airplane. This action would revise the applicability of the existing AD 
to add an airplane model and to remove other airplanes, as well as to 
reference additional service bulletins that identify the serial numbers 
of affected airplanes.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 23, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-68-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Allied Signal Aerospace, Technical Publications, Dept. 
65-70, P.O. Box 52170, Phoenix, Arizona 85072-2170. This information 
may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, 
Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael D. Imbler, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Propulsion Branch, 
ACE-116W, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent 
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4147; fax (316) 
946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date

[[Page 40764]]

for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action 
on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be 
changed in light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 97-NM-68-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 97-NM-68-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On August 12, 1996, the FAA issued AD 96-17-10, amendment 39-9719 
(61 FR 42996, August 20, 1996), applicable to certain Raytheon (Beech) 
Model 400, 400A, Mu-300-10, and 2000 airplanes, and Model 200, B200, 
300, and B300 series airplanes, to require replacement of the outflow/
safety valves with serviceable valves. That action was prompted by a 
report of cracking and consequent failure of the outflow safety valves 
in the pressurization system. The requirements of that AD are intended 
to prevent such cracking and consequent failure of the outflow/safety 
valves, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Raytheon Service Bulletin No. 
2476, Revision II. dated June 1997. The replacement procedures 
described in this service bulletin is essentially identical to those 
described in AlliedSignal Service Bulletin 103570-21-4012, Revision 1, 
dated May 30, 1995, which was referenced in AD 96-17-10 as one of two 
appropriate sources of service information. However, the effectivity 
listing of Raytheon Service Bulletin No. 2476 specify the serial 
numbers of the affected airplanes and also adds an airplane model 
[i.e., Model 400 T(military)] that is subject to the addressed unsafe 
condition.

FAA's Conclusions

    The FAA has determined that the applicability of AD 96-17-10 must 
be revised to: (1) Include Raytheon (Beech) Model MU-300 and 400T 
(military) airplanes, and (2) reference Raytheon Service Bulletin No. 
2476 as the appropriate sources of service information for identifying 
the serial numbers of the affected airplanes.
    In addition, the FAA inadvertently included Raytheon (Beech) Model 
2000 airplanes and Model 200, B200, 300 and B300 series airplanes in 
the applicability of AD 96-17-10. The FAA finds that these airplanes 
should have been addressed in a separate rulemaking action. Therefore, 
the FAA has removed these airplanes from the applicability of this 
proposed AD. The FAA also has removed references to the corresponding 
service information for those airplanes from the proposed AD. The FAA 
is considering further rulemaking to address the identified unsafe 
condition for those airplanes.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would supersede AD 96-17-10 to continue to require 
replacement of outflow/safety valves with serviceable valves. The 
proposed AD would revise the applicability of the existing AD to add an 
airplane model and to remove other airplanes, as well as to reference 
additional service bulletins that identify the serial numbers of 
affected airplanes.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 142 Raytheon (Beech) Model 400, 400A, 400T, 
Mu-300 and Mu-300-10 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide 
fleet. The FAA estimates that 110 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 96-17-10, and 
retained in this proposed AD, take approximately 12 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the currently 
required actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be $79,200, or $720 
per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-9719 (61 FR 
42996, August 20, 1996), and by adding

[[Page 40765]]

a new airworthiness directive (AD), to read as follows:

Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech, Raytheon Corporate Jets, 
British Aerospace, Hawker Siddley, et al.): Docket 97-NM-68-AD. 
Supersedes AD 96-17-10, Amendment 39-9719.

    Applicability: The following models and series of airplanes, 
certificated in any category, equipped with AlliedSignal outflow/
safety valves, as identified in AlliedSignal Aerospace Service 
Bulletin 103570-21-4012, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Model of airplane                       Serial Nos.             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
400.............................  RJ-1 through RJ-65, inclusive.        
400A............................  RK-1 through RK-42, inclusive.        
400T (military).................  TT-4 and TT-19.                       
MU-300..........................  S/N A001SA through A091SA.            
MU-300-10.......................  A1001SA through A1011SA, inclusive.   
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. for airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent cracking and consequent failure of the outflow/safety 
valves, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 18 months after September 24, 1996 (the effective 
date of AD 96-17-10, amendment 39-9719), replace the outflow/safety 
value in accordance with AlliedSignal Aerospace Service Bulletin 
103570-21-4012, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995.
    (b) As of September 24, 1996, no person shall install an 
outflow/safety valve, having a part number and serial number 
identified in AlliedSignal Aerospace Service Bulletin 103570-21-
4012, Revision 1, dated May 30, 1995, on any airplane unless that 
valve is considered to be serviceable in accordance with the 
applicable service bulletin.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used 
if approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then said it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Wichita ACO.
    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 24, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-20011 Filed 7-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M