Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 34 / Thursday, February 20, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 7667

31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, France. Copies

may be inspected at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of

the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

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

(e) This amendment becomes effective on

March 7, 1997.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on February

10, 1997.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–3843 Filed 2–19–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–CE–06–AD; Amendment 39–

9937; AD 97–04–02]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon

Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech

Aircraft Corporation) Models 1900,

1900C, and 1900D Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This document publishes in

the Federal Register an amendment

adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD)

97–04–02, which was sent previously to

known U.S. owners and operators of

certain Raytheon Aircraft Company

(Raytheon) Models 1900, 1900C, and

1900D airplanes (formerly referred to as

Beech Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D

airplanes). This AD requires installing

new exterior operating instruction

placards for the airstair door, cargo

door, and emergency exits, as

applicable. This AD results from an

accident involving a Raytheon Model

1900C airplane that collided with

another airplane while completing its

landing roll. The ensuing fire destroyed

both airplanes. The actions specified by

this AD are intended to assure complete

instructions are visible for opening the

airstair door, cargo door, or emergency

exits, which, if not visible or

understandable, could result in the

inability to open the airstair door, cargo

door, or emergency exits during an

emergency situation.

DATES: Effective March 10, 1997, to all

persons except those to whom it was

made immediately effective by priority

letter AD 97–04–02, issued February 4,

1997, which contained the requirements

of this amendment.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of March 10,

1997.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

April 25, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Central Region,

Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket 97–CE–06–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 Rules Docket at the address above,

or at the Office of the Federal Register,

800 North Capitol Street, NW., 7th

Floor, suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Steve Potter, Aerospace Engineer,

Wichita Aircraft Certification Office,

FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent

Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209;

telephone (316) 946–4124; facsimile

(316) 946–4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

On February 4, the FAA issued

priority letter AD 97–04–02, which

applies to the following Raytheon

Aircraft Company (formerly Beech

Aircraft Corporation) airplanes:

Model Serial No.

1900 .......................... UA–2 and 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–

268.

That AD resulted from an accident

involving a Raytheon Aircraft Company

(Raytheon) Model 1900C airplane

(formerly referred to as Beech Model

1900C) that collided with another

airplane while completing its landing

roll. The ensuing fire destroyed both

airplanes.

Investigation following the accident

indicates that all occupants of the

Raytheon Model 1900C survived the

impact of the collision. The emergency

crew was not able to open the forward

(main boarding) airstair door, and all

occupants of the airplane died of smoke

inhalation. The airstair door is unlocked

and opened from the outside by

depressing a release button while

simultaneously rotating the door handle

downward. The FAA believes that the

instructions for opening the main

boarding door of the Raytheon Model

1900C airplane were either not visible

or not easily understandable.

Inspection of another Raytheon Model

1900C airplane revealed incomplete

instructions for opening the airstair

door. Specifically, these instructions

consisted of a small placard with black

letters 2/10-inch high on a white

background, located aft and slightly

lower than the door handle with the

following information: ‘‘PUSH BUTTON

AND TURN HANDLE TO OPEN.’’ The

button was neither outlined nor highly

visible, and the instructions did not

include the requirement of depressing

the button while simultaneously

rotating the handle and they did not

indicate which direction to move the

handle.

Discussion of the Applicable Service

Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved

Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service

Bulletin No. 2741, Issued: February,

1997. This service bulletin specifies

installing (1) new exterior operating

instruction placards for the airstair door

and cargo door for Raytheon Models

1900 and 1900C airplanes; and (2) new

exterior operating instruction placards

for the airstair door, cargo door, and

emergency exits for Raytheon Model

1900D airplanes. The placards and

procedures for installing the placards

are included with the following kits:

Raytheon Part Number (P/N) 114–

5050–3, Exterior Marking Placard Kit,

for Model 1900 airplanes, serial

numbers UA–2 and UA–3.

Raytheon P/N 114–5050–1, Exterior

Marking Placard Kit, for Model 1900C,

serial numbers UB–1 through UB–74,

and UC–1 through UC–174; and Model

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

UD–1 through UD–6.

Raytheon P/N 129–5030–1, Exterior

Marking Placard Kit, for Model 1900D

airplanes, serial numbers UE–1 through

UE–268.

The FAA’s Determination and

Explanation 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, the FAA issued priority

letter AD 97–04–02 to assure complete

instructions are visible for opening the

airstair door, cargo door, or emergency

exits, which, if not visible or

understandable, could result in the

inability to open the airstair door, cargo

door, or emergency exits during an

emergency situation. The AD requires

installing new exterior operating

instruction placards for the airstair door,

cargo door, and emergency exits, as
7668 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 34 / Thursday, February 20, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

applicable. The placards and

instructions to accomplish the

instructions are included with the kits

previously referenced.

Compliance Time of This AD

The compliance time of this AD is

presented in calendar time (20 days).

The FAA has determined that calendar

time is appropriate because

incorporating the placard is not related

to airplane flight hours and needs to be

incorporated on all airplanes within a

reasonable period of time. This

compliance time of 20 days was selected

to ensure that the action is

accomplished within a reasonable

amount of time without negatively

impacting the operations of the

Raytheon Models 1900, 1900C, and

1900D airplane fleet.

Determination of the Effective Date of

the AD

Since it was found that immediate

corrective action was required, notice

and opportunity for prior public

comment thereon were impracticable

and contrary to the public interest, and

good cause existed to make the AD

effective immediately by individual

lettters issued on February 4, 1997, to

known U.S. operators of certain

Raytheon Models 1900, 1900C, and

1900D airplanes. These conditions still

exist, and the AD is hereby published in

the Federal Register as an amendment

to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it

effective as to all persons.

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. 97–CE–06–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,

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. A copy

of it, if filed, may be obtained from the

Rules Docket at the location provided

under the caption ADDRESSES.

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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD) to read as follows:

97–04–02 Raytheon Aircraft Company

(formerly Beech Aircraft Corporation):

Amendment 39–9937; Docket No. 97–

CE–06–AD.

Applicability: The following model and

serial number airplanes, certificated in any

category:

Model Serial No.

1900 .......................... UA–2 and 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–

268.

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 20

days after the effective date of this AD, unless

already accomplished, except to those

operators receiving this action by priority

letter issued February 4, 1997, which made

these actions effective immediately upon

receipt.

To assure complete instructions are visible

for opening the airstair door, cargo door, or

emergency exits, which, if not visible or

understandable, could result in the inability

to open the airstair door, cargo door, or

emergency exits during an emergency

situation, accomplish the following:

(a) Install new exterior operating

instruction placards for the airstair door and

cargo door of Raytheon Models 1900 and

1900C airplanes; and the new exterior

operating instruction placards for the airstair

door, cargo door, and emergency exits of

Raytheon Model 1900D airplanes. The

placards and procedures for installing the

placards are included with the following kits,

as referenced in Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory

Service Bulletin No. 2741, Issued: February,

1997:

(1) Raytheon Part Number (P/N) 114–5050–

3, Exterior Marking Placard Kit, for Model

1900 airplanes, serial numbers UA–2 and

UA–3;

(2) Raytheon P/N 114–5050–1, Exterior

Marking Placard Kit, for Model 1900C

airplanes, serial numbers UB–1 through UB–

74, and UC–1 through UC–174; and Model
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 34 / Thursday, February 20, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 7669

1900C (C–12J), serial numbers UD–1 through

UD–6; or

(3) Raytheon P/N 129–5030–1, Exterior

Marking Placard Kit, for Model 1900D

airplanes, serial numbers UE–1 through UE–

268.

Note 2: Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory

Service Bulletin No. 2741, Issued: February,

1997, references the above kits and contains

other information relating to this subject.

(b) Overlapping the registration numbers

through proper installation of the placards is

permissible as specified in section 45.21,

paragraph (b), of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR 45.21(b)). If this

requirement cannot be met, obtain an

alternative method of compliance using the

instructions in paragraph (c) of this AD.

(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

Airworthiness 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.

(d) The installations required by this AD

shall be done in accordance with the

instructions to the following kits, as

referenced in Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory

Service Bulletin No. 2741, Issued: February,

1997:

—Raytheon Part Number (P/N) 114–5050–3,

Exterior Marking Placard Kit, for Model

1900 airplanes, serial numbers UA–2 and

UA–3;

—Raytheon P/N 114–5050–1, Exterior

Marking Placard Kit, for Model 1900C

airplanes, serial numbers UB–1 through

UB–74, and UC–1 through UC–174; and

Model 1900C (C–12J), serial numbers UD–

1 through UD–6; and .

—Raytheon P/N 129–5030–1, Exterior

Marking Placard Kit, for Model 1900D

airplanes, serial numbers UE–1 through

UE–268.

This incorporation by reference was

approved by the Director of the Federal

Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)

and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained

from the Raytheon Aircraft Corporation, 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 (39–9937) becomes

effective on March 10, 1997, to all persons

except those persons to whom it was made

immediately effective by priority letter AD

97–04–02, issued February 4, 1997, which

contained the requirements of this

amendment.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on

February 11, 1997.

Henry A. Armstrong,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–3957 Filed 2–19–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–27–AD; Amendment

39–9940; AD 97–04–15]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pacific

Scientific Company, HTL/Kin-Tech

Division, Fire Extinguisher Bottle

Cartridges

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to certain Pacific Scientific

Company, HTL/Kin-Tech Division, fire

extinguisher bottle cartridges (squibs),

which may be installed on various

transport category airplanes. This action

requires a one-time inspection of the

electrical receptacle of these fire

extinguisher bottle cartridges and their

mating connectors to detect the

presence of aluminum foil in the area of

the pins of the cartridges and the

connectors, and removal of any

aluminum foil that is present. This

amendment is prompted by a report of

failure of a fire extinguisher bottle

cartridge to discharge as a result of the

presence of aluminum foil in the

cartridge, which caused electrical

shorting of the pins. The actions

specified in this AD are intended to

prevent such shorting, which could

result in failure of the fire extinguisher

bottle to discharge when commanded.

DATES: Effective March 7, 1997.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

April 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

27–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert Baitoo, Aerospace Engineer,

Propulsion Branch, ANM–140L, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, Los

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,

3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,

California 90712; telephone (310) 627–

5245; fax (310) 627–5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA

received a report indicating that a

Pacific Scientific Company, HTL/KinTech Division, fire extinguisher bottle

cartridge (squib) failed to discharge

when commanded. Investigation

revealed that aluminum foil was present

in the cartridge, which caused electrical

shorting of the pins. Aluminum foil is

used to shunt the electrical pins of the

cartridge for shipping purposes. The

aluminum foil had not been removed

properly prior to installation of the fire

extinguisher bottle cartridge. Further

investigation revealed that the electrical

shorting condition existed on six other

installed cartridges.

The affected cartridges are Pacific

Scientific Company, HTL/Kin-Tech

Division, fire extinguisher bottle

cartridges having part numbers 13083–

10 and 13083–25.

Electrical shorting of the pins in the

fire extinguisher bottle cartridges, if not

corrected, could result in failure of the

fire extinguisher bottle to discharge

when commanded.

FAA’s Determination

The FAA has determined that, in

order to ensure that the fire extinguisher

bottle will discharge when commanded,

Pacific Scientific Company, HTL/KinTech Division, fire extinguisher bottle

cartridges having part numbers 13083–

10 and 13083–25 must be inspected to

ensure that any aluminum foil is

removed from the fire extinguisher

bottle cartridges installed on the

affected airplanes.

Explanation of the Requirements of the

Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other components of the

same type design installed on transport

category airplanes, this AD is being

issued to prevent electrical shorting of

the pins of the fire extinguisher bottle

cartridge, which could result in failure

of the fire extinguisher bottle to

discharge when commanded. This AD

requires a one-time visual inspection of

the electrical receptacle of certain

Pacific Scientific Company, HTL/KinTech Division, fire extinguisher bottle

cartridges and their mating connectors

to detect the presence of aluminum foil

in the area of the pins of the cartridges

and the connectors, and removal of any

aluminum foil that is present.

Determination of Rule’s Effective Date

Since a situation exists that requires

the immediate adoption of this

regulation, it is found that notice and