Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 187 / Tuesday, September 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules 57751

mandatory by the United Kingdom Civil

Aviation Authority (CAA).

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on

September 18, 2000.

Marvin R. Nuss,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–24627 Filed 9–25–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–CE–79–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon

Aircraft Company Beech Models A36,

B36TC, and 58 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes to

adopt a new airworthiness directive

(AD) that would apply to certain

Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon)

Beech Models A36, B36TC, and 58

airplanes. The proposed AD would

require you to inspect for missing rivets

on the right hand side of the fuselage

and, if necessary, install rivets.

Raytheon has identified several

instances of missing rivets on these

airplanes. The actions specified by this

proposed AD are intended to install

missing rivets in the right hand fuselage

panel assembly in the area above the

right wing and below the cabin door

threshold. These rivets must be present

for the fuselage to carry the ultimate

load and prevent critical structural

failure with loss of airplane control.

DATES: The Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) must receive any

comments on this proposed rule by

October 30, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments in triplicate

to the Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA), Central Region, Office of the

Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 99–CE–79–AD, 901 Locust,

Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

You may look at comments at this

location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.,

Monday through Friday, except

holidays.

You may get the service information

referenced in the proposed AD from

Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box

85, Wichita, Kansas 67201–0085;

telephone: (800) 429–5372 or (316) 676–

3140. You may read this information at

the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: T.N.

Baktha, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,

Wichita Aircraft Certification Office,

1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent

Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209;

telephone: (316) 946–4155; facsimile:

(316) 946–4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How do I comment on this proposed

AD? We invite your comments on the

proposed rule. You may send whatever

written data, views, or arguments you

choose. You need to include the rule’s

docket number and send your

comments in triplicate to the address

mentioned under the caption

ADDRESSES. We will consider all

comments received by the closing date

mentioned above, before acting on the

proposed rule. We may change the

proposals contained in this notice

because of the comments received.

Are there any specific portions of the

proposed AD I should pay attention to?

The FAA specifically invites comments

on the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the proposed rule that might call for a

need to change the proposed rule. You

may examine all comments we receive.

We will file a report in the Rules Docket

that summarizes each FAA contact with

the public that concerns the substantive

parts of this proposal.

The FAA is reexamining the writing

style we currently use in regulatory

documents, in response to the

Presidential memorandum of June 1,

1998. That memorandum requires

federal agencies to communicate more

clearly with the public. We are

interested in your comments on the ease

of understanding this document, and

any other suggestions you might have to

improve the clarity of FAA

communications that affect you. You

can get more information about the

Presidential memorandum and the plain

language initiative at http://

www.faa.gov/language/. Q P=’03’≤

How can I be sure FAA receives my

comment?

If you want to know that we received

your comments, you must include a

self-addressed, stamped postcard. On

the postcard, write ‘‘Comments to

Docket No. 99-CE–79-AD.’’ We will date

stamp and mail the postcard back to

you.

Discussion

What events have caused this

proposed AD? Raytheon has identified

several instances of missing rivets on

these airplanes:

Model Serial No.

Model A36 Bonanza.Serials E–1 through E–3231;

and E–3233.

Model B36TC

Bonanza.

Serials EA–1 through EA–

635.

Model 58

Baron.

Serials TH–1 through TH–

1811; and TH–1813

through TH–1897.

Raytheon production and inspection

personnel identified the missing rivets.

The missing rivets are the result of a

quality control problem.

What are the consequences if the

condition is not corrected? This

condition results in the airplane being

unable to carry the ultimate load.

Relevant Service Information

What service information applies to

this subject? Raytheon has issued

Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 53–3341,

revised: May 2000.

What are the provisions of this service

bulletin? The service bulletin describes

procedures for inspecting for missing

rivets and installing rivets in the lower

right hand fuselage panel assembly in

the area above the right wing and below

the cabin door threshold.

The FAA’s Determination and an

Explanation of the Provisions of the

Proposed AD

What has FAA decided? After

examining the circumstances and

reviewing all available information

related to the incidents, we have

determined that:

• The unsafe condition referenced in

this document exists or could develop

on other Raytheon Beech Models A36,

B36TC, and 58 airplanes of the same

type design;

• These airplanes should have the

actions specified in the above service

bulletin incorporated; and

• The FAA should take AD action to

correct this unsafe condition.

What does this proposed AD require?

This proposed AD would require you to:

• Inspect for missing rivets on the

right hand fuselage; and

• If necessary, install rivets.

What are the differences between the

service bulletin and the proposed AD?

Raytheon requires you to inspect for

missing rivets and, if necessary, install

rivets, as soon as possible after receipt

of the Service Bulletin, but no later than

the next scheduled 100 hour or annual

inspection. We propose a requirement

that you inspect and, if necessary,

install the missing rivets within the next

100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the

effective date of the proposed AD. We

believe that 100 hours TIS will give the

owners/operators of the affected

airplanes enough time to have the

57752 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 187 / Tuesday, September 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules

proposed actions done without

compromising the safety of the

airplanes.

Cost Impact

How many airplanes does this

proposed AD impact? We estimate the

proposed AD would affect 452 airplanes

in the U.S. registry.

What is the cost impact of the

proposed action for the affected

airplanes on the U.S. Register? We

estimate that it would take about 1

workhour for each proposed inspection,

at an average labor rate of $60 an hour.

Based on the cost factors presented

above, we estimate that the total cost

impact of the proposed inspection on

U.S. operators is $27,120, or $60 per

airplane.

We estimate that it would take 4

workhours to install the rivets. The cost

of parts is about $100. Based on the cost

factors presented above, we estimate

that the total cost impact of replacing

the rivets on U.S. operators is $340 per

airplane.

The manufacturer will allow warranty

credit for labor and parts to the extent

noted in the service bulletin.

Regulatory Impact

Does this proposed AD impact

relations between Federal and State

governments? The proposed regulations

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. We have

determined that this proposed rule

would not have federalism implications

under Executive Order 13132.

Does this proposed AD involve a

significant rule or regulatory action? For

the reasons discussed above, I certify

that this action (1) is not a ‘‘significant

regulatory action’’ under Executive

Order 12866; (2) is not a ‘‘significant

rule’’ under Department of

Transportation Regulatory Policies and

Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26,

1979); and (3) if put into effect, 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.

We have placed a copy of the draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this

action in the Rules Docket. You may

obtain a copy of it 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, under 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. FAA amends Section 39.13 by

adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD) to read as follows:

Raytheon Aircraft Company: Docket No. 99–

CE–79–AD.

(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD?

This AD affects the following airplanes,

certificated in any category:

Model Serial No.

Model A36 ..... Serials E–1 through E–3231;

and E–3233.

Model B36TC Serials EA–1 through EA–

635.

Model 58 ........ Serials TH–1 through TH–

1811; and TH–1813

through TH–1897.

(b) Who must comply with this AD?

Anyone who wishes to operate any of the

above airplanes on the U.S. Register must

comply with this AD.

(c) What problem does this AD address?

The actions specified by this AD are intended

to install missing rivets in the right hand

fuselage panel assembly in the area above the

right wing and below the cabin door

threshold. These rivets must be present for

the fuselage to carry the ultimate load and

prevent critical structural failure with loss of

control of the airplane.

(d) What must I do to address this

problem? To address this problem, you must

do the following actions:

Actions Compliance times Procedures

(1) Inspect for up to 9 missing rivets between fuselage station

(F.S.) 83.00 and F.S. 91.00 at

water line (W.L.) 90.3.

Inspect within the next 100 hours

time-in-service after the effective

date of this AD.

Do this inspection in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS paragraph of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin

SB 53–3341, Revision 1, Revised: May 2000, and the Bonanza

Series Maintenance Manual or Baron Model 58 Series Maintenance Manual.

(2) If you find rivets are missing, install these rivets.Before further flight after the inspection.Do these actions in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS paragraph of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin

SB 53–3341, Revision 1, Revised: May 2000, and the Bonanza

Series Maintenance Manual or Baron Model 58 Series Maintenance Manual.

(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other

way? You may use an alternative method of

compliance or adjust the compliance time if:

(1) Your alternative method of compliance

provides an equivalent level of safety; and

(2) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft

Certification Office (ACO), approves your

alternative. Send your request through an

FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who

may add comments and then send it to the

Manager, Wichita ACO.

Note: This AD applies to each airplane

identified in paragraph (a) of this AD,

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 (e)

of this AD. You should include in the request

an assessment of the effect of the

modification, alteration, or repair on the

unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and,

if you have not eliminated the unsafe

condition, specific actions you propose to

address it.

(f) Where can I get information about any

already-approved alternative methods of

compliance? Contact T.N. Baktha, Aerospace

Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification

Office, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent

Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone:

(316) 946–4155; facsimile: (316) 946–4407.

(g) What if I need to fly the airplane to

another location to comply with this AD? The

FAA can issue a special flight permit under

sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and

21.199) to operate your airplane to a location

where you can do the requirements of this

AD.

(h) How do I get copies of the documents

referenced in this AD? You may get the

service information referenced in the AD

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 187 / Tuesday, September 26, 2000 / Proposed Rules 57753

from Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box

85, Wichita, Kansas 67201–0085; telephone:

(800) 429–5372 or (316) 676–3140. You may

read this document at FAA, Central Region,

Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust,

Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on

September 19, 2000.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–24628 Filed 9–25–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94–ANE–38–AD]

Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell

International Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal

Inc. and Textron Lycoming Inc.)

LTS101 Series Turboshaft and LTP101

Series Turboprop Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

supersedure of an existing airworthiness

directive (AD), applicable to certain

Honeywell International Inc. (formerly

AlliedSignal Inc. and Textron Lycoming

Inc.) LTS101 series turboshaft and

LTP101 series turboprop engines. The

existing airworthiness directive (AD)

superseded priority letter AD 94–19–01

and currently requires initial and

repetitive inspections of the engine fuel

pump internal drive splines for wear,

and replacement of engine fuel pumps

that exhibit wear beyond specified

limits.

This proposal would require a

reduction in inspection intervals for the

engine fuel pump internal drive splines.

This proposal is prompted by a report

from the engine manufacturer that 13

percent of the pumps installed on

aircraft that were returned from the field

for the required 900-hour interval

inspection revealed excessive internal

drive spline wear. The actions specified

by this proposal are intended to prevent

worn splines in fuel pumps that could

cause engine fuel pump failure, which

can result in total engine power loss and

possible loss of the aircraft.

DATES: Comments must be received by

November 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),

New England Region, Office of the

Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 94–ANE–38–AD, 12 New

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA

01803–5299. Comments may also be

sent via the Internet using the following

address: ‘‘9-ane-adcomment@faa.gov’’.

Comments sent via the Internet must

contain the docket number in the

subject line. Comments may be

inspected at this location between 8:00

a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through

Friday, except Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

Honeywell International, Inc, 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 FAA, New England

Region, Office of the Assistant Chief

Counsel, 12 New England Executive

Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert Baitoo, Aerospace Engineer, Los

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA

90712–4137; telephone (562) 627–5245,

fax (562) 627–5210.

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

should identify the Rules Docket

number and be submitted 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 Number 94–ANE–38–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRM’s

Any person may obtain a copy of this

NPRM by submitting a request to the

FAA, New England Region, Office of the

Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 94–ANE–38–AD, 12 New

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA

01803–5299.

Discussion

On April 17, 1995, the Federal

Aviation Administration (FAA) issued

airworthiness directive (AD) 95–09–02,

Amendment 39–9206 (60 FR 20189,

April 25, 1995), applicable to Textron

Lycoming LTS101 series turboshaft and

LTP101 series turboprop engines

incorporating Chandler Evans (CECO)

engine fuel pumps, Part Numbers 4–

301–128–01, –02, –03, –04, –05, –06,

–07, –08, –09, –10. This AD superseded

Priority Letter AD 94–19–01, issued on

September 2, 1994. The current AD

requires initial and repetitive

inspections for wear of LTS101 and

LTP101 engine fuel pump internal drive

splines installed on single-engine

aircraft and replacement with a

serviceable part of engine fuel pumps

that exhibit wear beyond the limits

specified in the incorporated service

bulletin. That action was prompted by

a report of a helicopter accident that

resulted in a total loss of engine power

and subsequent autorotation of a

helicopter powered by a Textron

Lycoming Model LTS101–600A–3

turboshaft engine. Investigation of that

accident and other engine failures

showed that CECO Model MFP261

engine fuel pump internal drive spline

teeth were worn away and failed to

engage, resulting in loss of fuel delivery

to the engine. That condition, if not

corrected, could result in engine fuel

pump failure, which can result in total

engine power loss and possible loss of

the aircraft.

Recent Analysis

Since the issuance of AD 95–09–02, a

number of removed fuel pumps have

been returned to CECO. The FAA has

learned that 13 percent of the pumps

that were returned from the field for the

required 900-hour interval inspection

revealed excessive internal drive spline

wear. Accordingly, the FAA has

determined that the inspection interval

must be reduced to 600-hour intervals.

Service Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved

the contents of AlliedSignal Service

Bulletin (SB) LT 101–73–20–0203, dated

August 18, 1999, that informs operators

of the new inspection intervals and the

drawdown schedule for in-service