[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 21, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25418-25420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12601]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-54-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Beech (Raytheon) Model Hawker 1000 and 
BAe 125-1000A Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Beech (Raytheon) Model 
Hawker 1000 and BAe 125-1000A series airplanes, that currently requires 
inspections to detect various discrepancies of the fuel hose assemblies 
on the auxiliary power unit (APU), and correction of any discrepancy 
found. That AD was prompted by several reports of heat damage to the 
fuel hose assembly on the APU. This action would add a requirement to 
replace the existing conduit of the fuel feed hose with new improved 
conduit, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of a fuel 
hose due to heat damage caused by incorrect routing or bleed air 
leakage; such failure could result in a malfunction of the APU, a fuel 
fire in the fuselage rear equipment bay, and reduced structural 
integrity of the surrounding structure.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 1, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-54-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 Beech Aircraft Corporation, Hawker Customer Support 
Department, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. This

[[Page 25419]]

information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
ACE-116W, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, 
Wichita, Kansas; telephone (316) 946-4146; 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 Number 96-NM-54-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. 96-NM-54-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On April 27, 1995, the FAA issued AD 95-10-01, amendment 39-9218 
(60 FR 22501, May 8, 1995), applicable to certain Beech (Raytheon) 
Model Hawker 1000 and BAe 125-1000A series airplanes, to require 
inspections to detect various discrepancies of the fuel hose assemblies 
on the auxiliary power unit (APU), and correction of any discrepancy 
found. That action was prompted by several reports of heat damage to 
the fuel hose assembly on the APU. The requirements of that AD are 
intended to prevent failure of a fuel hose due to heat damage caused by 
incorrect routing or bleed air leakage; such failure could result in a 
malfunction of the APU, a fuel fire in the fuselage rear equipment bay, 
and reduced structural integrity of the surrounding structure.

Actions Since Issuance of AD 95-10-01

    Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has reviewed and approved 
Beech (Hawker/Raytheon) Service Bulletin SB.49-47-25A825A, dated August 
1, 1995, which describes procedures for the replacement of existing 
vinyl conduit (Pt. No. SLV-40-1\1/2\)of the fuel feed hose for the APU 
with a new improved conduit (Pt. No. 20 97 04415). The new conduit is 
made from convoluted PTFE (a commercial fluoro plastic tubing), which 
can withstand temperatures of up to 240 degrees Centigrade. 
Accomplishment of this replacement eliminates the need for repetitive 
inspections, as described in Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 49-44, dated 
January 20, 1995 (which was cited in AD 95-10-01 as the appropriate 
source of service information).

FAA's Conclusions

    The FAA has determined that replacement of the existing conduit 
with convoluted PTFE tubing will positively address the unsafe 
condition identified as failure of a fuel hose due to heat damage 
caused by incorrect routing or bleed air leakage; such failure could 
result in a malfunction of the APU, a fuel fire in the fuselage rear 
equipment bay, and reduced structural integrity of the surrounding 
structure.

Explanation of the Requirements of the 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 supersede AD 95-10-01. It would continue to require 
inspections to detect various discrepancies of the fuel hose assemblies 
on the auxiliary power unit (APU), and correction of any discrepancy 
found. However, this proposed AD also would add a new requirement to 
replace the existing vinyl conduit of the fuel feed hose for the APU 
with a new improved conduit, which would constitute terminating action 
for the repetitive inspection requirements. The new action would be 
required to be accomplished in accordance with Beech (Hawker/Raytheon) 
Service Bulletin SB.49-47-25A825A, dated August 1, 1995, as described 
previously.
    The FAA has determined that long term continued operational safety 
will be better assured by modifications or design changes to remove the 
source of the problem, rather than by repetitive inspections. Long term 
inspections may not be providing the degree of safety assurance 
necessary for the transport airplane fleet. This, coupled with a better 
understanding of the human factors associated with numerous repetitive 
inspections, has led the FAA to consider placing less emphasis on 
special procedures and more emphasis on design improvements. The 
proposed modification requirement is in consonance with these 
considerations.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 48 Beech Model Hawker 1000 and BAe 125-
1000A series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. 
The FAA estimates that 31 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected 
by this proposed AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 95-10-01 take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact on U.S. operators of the actions currently required is estimated 
to be $1,860, or $60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The new actions that are proposed in this AD action would take 
approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $218 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact on U.S. operators of the new proposed requirements of this AD is 
estimated to be $14,198, or $458 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or 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

[[Page 25420]]

federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism 
Assessment.
    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 removing amendment 39-9218 (60 FR 
22501, May 8, 1995), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
to read as follows:

Beech Aircraft Corporation (formerly DeHavilland; Hawker Siddeley; 
British Aerospace, plc; Raytheon Corporate Jets, Inc.): Docket 96-
NM-54-AD. Supersedes AD 95-10-01, Amendment 39-9218.

    Applicability: Model Hawker 1000 and BAe 125-1000A series 
airplanes, post modification 259722C, 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 (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.
    Note 2: Beech (Raytheon) Model BAe 125-1000B series airplanes 
are similar in design to the airplanes that are subject to the 
requirements of this AD and, therefore, also may be subject to the 
unsafe condition addressed by this AD. However, as of the effective 
date of this AD, those models are not type certificated for 
operation in the United States. Airworthiness authorities of 
countries in which the Model BAe 125-1000B series airplanes are 
approved for operation should consider adopting corrective action, 
applicable to those models, that is similar to the corrective action 
required by this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of a fuel hose assembly on the auxiliary 
power unit (APU), which could result in a malfunction of the APU, a 
potential fuel fire in the fuselage rear bay, and reduced structural 
integrity of the surrounding structure, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 days after May 23, 1995 (the effective date of AD 
95-10-01, amendment 39-9218), perform inspections to detect 
discrepancies of the fuel feed hose assemblies on the APU; an 
inspection to assure proper positioning of the air leak detection 
system; and an inspection of the bleed air system for signs of 
leakage; in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 49-44, dated January 
20, 1995.
    (1) If no discrepancy is found: Thereafter, following the last 
flight of each day, perform an inspection to detect discoloration of 
the fuel hose assembly (outlet from the fuel pump box) on the APU, 
in accordance with paragraph 2.B.(2) and 2.C. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the service bulletin.
    (2) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, 
correct the discrepancy in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
    (b) Within 200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the existing conduit of the fuel feed hose for the auxiliary 
power unit (APU) with new improved conduit (modification 25A825A), 
in accordance with Beech (Raytheon/Hawker) Service Bulletin SB.49-
47-25A825A, dated August 1, 1995. Accomplishment of the replacement 
constitutes terminating action for paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) 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.

    (d) 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 May 14, 1996.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-12601 Filed 5-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U