[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 93 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26714-26716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12507]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-72-AD; Amendment 39-10516; AD 98-10-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Models B200, 
B200C, and B200T Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Models B200, 
B200C, and B200T airplanes (formerly referred to as Beech Models B200, 
B200C, and B200T airplanes). This AD requires replacing the wiring for 
the engine fire detector system with fire resistant wiring. This AD is 
the result of the discovery during aircraft production of the potential 
for the existing engine fire detector system wiring on the affected 
airplanes to fail because of high heat and/or fire. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the engine fire 
detector system if high heat and/or fire stopped an electrical signal 
between the engine fire detectors and the engine fire warning 
annunciator lights located in the cockpit, which could result in 
passenger injury in the event of an airplane fire.

DATES: Effective June 27, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 27, 1998.

ADDRESSES: 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 Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-72-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. Randy Griffith, Aerospace 
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 
946-4145; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.


[[Page 26715]]



SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Raytheon 
Models B200, B200C, and B200T airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 3, 1997 
(62 FR 63914). The NPRM proposed to require replacing the wiring for 
the engine fire detector system with fire resistant wiring by 
incorporating Engine Fire Detector Harness Kit, part number 101-3208-1. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2701, 
Issued: May, 1997.
    The NPRM was the result of the discovery during aircraft production 
of the potential for the existing engine fire detector system wiring on 
the affected airplanes to fail because of high heat and/or fire.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 77 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the modification required by this AD, and that 
the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts will be 
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $18,480, or $240 per 
airplane. These figures are based on the presumption that no owner/
operator of the affected airplanes has incorporated this modification.
    Raytheon has informed the FAA that approximately 40 kits have been 
shipped from the Raytheon Aircraft Authorized Service Center. Presuming 
that each of the 40 kits is incorporated on an affected airplane, this 
will reduce the cost impact of this AD by $9,600, from $18,480, to 
$8,880.

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.
    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 DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final 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, 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

98-10-05  Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-10516; Docket No. 
97-CE-72-AD.

    Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes, 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                             Serial Nos.          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
B200...................................  BB-1439, BB-1444 through BB-   
                                          1447, BB-1449, BB-1450, BB-   
                                          1452, BB-1453, BB-1455, BB-   
                                          1456, and BB-1458 through BB- 
                                          1512;                         
B200C..................................  BL-139 and BL-140;             
B200C (C-12R)..........................  BW-1 through BW-5; and         
B200T..................................  BT-35 through BT-38.           
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the engine fire detector system if high 
heat and/or fire stopped an electrical signal between the engine 
fire detectors and the engine fire warning annunciator lights 
located in the cockpit, which could result in passenger injury in 
the event of an airplane fire, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the existing engine fire protection system wiring 
with fire resistant wiring by incorporating Engine Fire Detector 
Harness Kit, part number 101-3208-1. Accomplish this replacement in 
accordance with the instructions included with the above kit, as 
referenced in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2701, Issued: 
May, 1997.
    (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 replacement required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with the instructions to Raytheon Engine Fire Detector

[[Page 26716]]

Harness Kit, part number 101-3208-1, as referenced in Raytheon 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2701, Issued: May, 1997. 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 Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 
85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional 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 becomes effective on June 27, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 30, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-12507 Filed 5-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P