49426 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 183 / Monday, September 22, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96–CE–60–AD; Amendment 39–

10131; AD 97–15–13 R1]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon

Aircraft Company Models 1900, 1900C,

and 1900D Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment revises

Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97–15–13,

which currently requires installing

lubrication fittings in the airstair door

handle and latch housing mechanisms

on certain Raytheon Aircraft Company

(Raytheon) Models 1900, 1900C, and

1900D airplanes (formerly referred to as

Beech Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D

airplanes). Certain Model 1900C serial

number airplanes were incorrectly

referenced as Model 1900D airplanes in

the Applicability section of AD 97–15–

13. This AD maintains the requirements

of AD 97–15–13, and corrects the model

and serial number reference as

described above. The actions specified

by this AD are intended to prevent

moisture from accumulating and

freezing in the airstair door handle and

latch housing, which could result in the

door freezing shut and passengers not

being able to evacuate the airplane in an

emergency situation.

DATES: Effective September 22, 1997.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations was previously approved by

the Director of the Federal Register as of

September 5, 1997 (62 FR 39927, July

25, 1997).

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

October 20, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Central Region,

Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket 96–CE–60–AD,

Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas

City, Missouri 64106.

Service information that applies to

this AD may be obtained from the

Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box

85, Wichita, Kansas 67201–0085. This

information may also be examined at

the Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA), Central Region, Office of the

Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention:

Rules Docket No. 96–CE–60–AD, Room

1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Steven E. Potter, Aerospace Safety

Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft

Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road,

Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas

67209; telephone (316) 946–4124;

facsimile (316) 946–4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

AD 97–15–13, Amendment 39–10087

(62 FR 39927, July 25, 1997), currently

requires installing lubrication fittings in

the airstair door handle and latch

housing mechanisms on Raytheon

Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D

airplanes. Accomplishment of the

actions specified in this AD are in

accordance with Raytheon Mandatory

Service Bulletin No. 2572, dated July,

1996.

The FAA has since realized that it

inadvertently referenced the Model

1900C (C–12J) airplanes, serial numbers

UD–1 through UD–6, as Model 1900D

(C–12J) airplanes.

These Raytheon Model 1900C (C12J)

airplanes are all owned by the U.S.

military and are not currently on the

U.S. Register. The FAA believes that the

actions of AD 97–15–13 are already

incorporated on these airplanes. With

this in mind, there would be no further

cost impact upon U.S. operators over

that of AD 97–15–13 if these airplanes

are transferred from military to civilian

service.

The FAA’s Determination

After examining the circumstances

and reviewing all available information

related to the incidents described above,

the FAA has determined that AD action

should be taken in order to prevent

moisture from accumulating and

freezing in the airstair door handle and

latch housing, which could result in the

door freezing shut and passengers not

being able to evacuate the airplane in an

emergency situation.

Explanation of the Provisions of the AD

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop in other Raytheon Models 1900,

1900C, and 1900D airplanes of the same

type design, this AD revises AD 97–15–

13 to require the same actions, but

changes the designation of the Model

1900D (C–12J) airplanes, serial numbers

UD–1 through UD–6, to Model 1900C

(C–12J) airplanes, serial numbers UD–1

through UD–6.

Determination of the Effective Date of

the AD

Since the portion of AD 97–15–13 that

is being revised does not affect any

airplane that is currently on the U.S.

register, there are no adverse economic

impacts or additional burdens on any

person. Therefore, prior notice and

public procedures hereon are

unnecessary and the AD may be made

effective in less than 30 days after

publication in the Federal Register.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of

a final rule that involves requirements

affecting immediate flight safety and,

thus, was not preceded by notice and

opportunity to comment, comments are

invited on this rule. Interested persons

are invited to comment on this rule by

submitting such written data, views, or

arguments as they may desire.

Communications should identify the

Rules Docket number and be submitted

in triplicate to the address specified

above. All communications received on

or before the closing date for comments

will be considered, and this rule may be

amended in light of the comments

received. Factual information that

supports the commenter’s ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in

evaluating the effectiveness of the AD

action and determining whether

additional rulemaking action would be

needed.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the rule that might suggest a need to

modify the 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 that

summarizes each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this AD

will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this rule must

submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket No. 96–CE–60–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will

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,
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 183 / Monday, September 22, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 49427

it is determined that this final rule does

not have sufficient federalism

implications to warrant the preparation

of a Federalism Assessment.

The FAA has determined that this

regulation is an emergency regulation

that must be issued immediately to

correct an unsafe condition in aircraft,

and is not a ‘‘significant regulatory

action’’ under Executive Order 12866. It

has been determined further that this

action involves an emergency regulation

under DOT Regulatory Policies and

Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26,

1979). If it is determined that this

emergency regulation otherwise would

be significant under DOT Regulatory

Policies and Procedures, a final

regulatory evaluation will be prepared

and placed in the Rules Docket

(otherwise, an evaluation is not

required). A copy of it, if filed, may be

obtained from the Rules Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation

safety, Incorporation by reference,

Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the

authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation

Administration amends 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)

97–15–13, Amendment 39–10087, and

by adding a new AD to read as follows:

97–15–13 R1 Raytheon Aircraft Company:

Amendment 39–10131; Docket No. 96–

CE–60–AD. Revises AD 97–15–13,

Amendment 39–10087.

Applicability: The following airplane

models and serial numbers, certificated in

any category:

Model Serial Nos.

1900 ............. UA–1 through UA–3.

1900C .......... UB–1 through UB–74, and

UC–1 through UC–174.

1900C (C–

12J).

UD–1 through UD–6.

1900D .......... UE–1 through UE–157.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane

identified in the preceding applicability

provision, regardless of whether it has been

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 within the next 200

hours time-in-service after the effective date

of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent moisture from accumulating

and freezing in the airstair door handle and

latch housing, which could result in the door

freezing shut and passengers not being able

to evacuate the airplane in an emergency

situation, accomplish the following:

(a) Install lubrication fittings in the airstair

door handle and latch housing mechanisms

in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT

INSTRUCTIONS section of Raytheon

Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2572, dated

July, 1996.

(b) 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

a location where the requirements of this AD

can be accomplished.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or

adjustment of the compliance time that

provides an equivalent level of safety may be

approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft

Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport

Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport,

Wichita, Kansas 67209. The request shall be

forwarded through an appropriate FAA

Maintenance Inspector, who may add

comments and then send 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) The installation required by this AD

shall be done in accordance with Raytheon

Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2572, dated

July, 1996. This incorporation by reference

was previously approved by the Director of

the Federal Register in accordance with 5

U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of

September 5, 1997 (62 FR 39927, July 25,

1997). Copies may be obtained from the

Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85,

Wichita, Kansas 67201–0085. Copies may be

inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office

of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558,

601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or

at the Office of the Federal Register, 800

North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,

Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment (39–10131) revises AD

97–15–13, mendment 39–10087.

(f) This amendment (39–10131) becomes

effective on September 22, 1997.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on

September 8, 1997.

James E. Jackson,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–25052 Filed 9–19–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–ANE–03; Amendment 39–

10138; AD 97–19–18]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; AlliedSignal

Inc. TSCP700–4B and –5 Auxiliary

Power Units

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes

an existing airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to AlliedSignal Inc. (formerly

AiResearch and Garrett) TSCP700–4B

and –5 Series Auxiliary Power Units

(APUs), that currently requires

restretching the first stage low pressure

compressor (LPC) tie rods, or replacing

affected disks at or before 8,000 cycles

since new (CSN). This amendment

requires removing from service affected

disks, replacing them with serviceable

parts, and establishing a life limit of

8,000 CSN for affected disks. This

amendment is prompted by a report of

a first stage LPC disk rim separation due

to low cycle fatigue on an APU that had

its tie rods restretched in accordance

with the current AD. The actions

specified by this AD are intended to

prevent first stage LPC disk rim

separation due to low cycle fatigue,

which could result in an uncontained

APU failure and damage to the aircraft.

DATES: Effective October 27, 1997.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of October 27,

1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information

referenced in this AD may be obtained

from AlliedSignal Aerospace, Attn: Data

Distribution, M/S 64–3/2101–201, P.O.

Box 29003, Phoenix, AZ 85038–9003;

telephone (602) 365–2493, fax (602)

365–5577. This information may be

examined at the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), New England

Region, Office of the Assistant Chief

Counsel, 12 New England Executive

Park, Burlington, MA 01803–5299; or at