[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 190 (Wednesday, October 1, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51385-51386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25975]



[[Page 51385]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-140-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model Hawker 1000 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Raytheon Model Hawker 1000 
series airplanes. This proposal would require modifying the aft core 
cowl nozzles of the engine nacelles. This proposal is prompted by a 
report indicating that the sealant on the core cowl nozzles may extend 
higher than the forward flange of the core cowl nozzles, which could 
result in contact between the cowl sealant surface and the lever of the 
engine mechanical over-speed control system. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to prevent such contact, which could cause 
result in the over-speed system to function improperly and consequent 
engine structural failure.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-140-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Raytheon Aircraft Company, Manager, Service Engineering, 
Hawker Customer Support Department, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085. 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: Randy Griffith, 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) 
946-4145; 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 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 No. 97-NM-140-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-140-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington 98055-
4056.

Discussion

    The FAA received a report indicating that sealant, which is applied 
on a portion of the aft core cowl nozzle of the engine nacelle to 
provide fluid drainage, may extend higher than the forward flange of 
the core cowl nozzle. This may allow the lever of the mechanical engine 
over-speed system to contact the cowl sealant surface. This condition, 
if not corrected, could cause the over-speed system to function 
improperly and consequent engine structural failure.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Raytheon Service Bulletin SB.71-
48-25F021B, dated May 20, 1997, which describes procedures for 
modification of the aft core cowl nozzles of the left- and right-hand 
engine nacelles. (The service bulletin references Nordam Hawker 1000 
Service Bulletin PW300 71-9, dated April 29, 1995, as the appropriate 
source of service information for accomplishment of the modification.) 
The modification involves replacing the sealant on the aft core cowl 
nozzle with a filler made from aluminum. Accomplishment of the 
modification will prevent contact between the surface of the core cowl 
sealant and the lever of the engine mechanical over-speed control 
system.

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 require modification of the aft core cowl nozzles of 
the left- and right-hand engine nacelles. The actions would be required 
to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 52 Model Hawker 1000 series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 14 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,360, or $240 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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.

[[Page 51386]]

    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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Raytheon Aircraft Corporation; 
Beech Aircraft Corporation; Raytheon Corporate Jets, Inc.; British 
Aerospace, PLC; deHavilland; Hawker Siddeley): Docket 97-NM-140-AD.

    Applicability: Model Hawker 1000 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 258151, 258159, and 259003 through 259052 inclusive, 
certificated in any category.

    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 (b) 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 contact between the cowl sealant surface and the 
lever of the engine mechanical over-speed control system, which 
could cause the over-speed system to function improperly and 
consequent engine structural failure, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 150 flight hours or 3 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, modify the aft core cowl nozzles 
of the left-and right-hand engine nacelles in accordance with 
Raytheon Service Bulletin SB.71-48-25F021B, dated May 20, 1997.

    Note 2: The Raytheon service bulletin references Nordam Hawker 
1000 Service Bulletin PW300 71-9, dated April 29, 1995, as the 
appropriate source of service information for accomplishment of the 
modification.

    (b) 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 send it to the 
Manager, Wichita ACO.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Wichita ACO.

    (c) 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 25, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-25975 Filed 9-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U