[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 131 (Monday, July 8, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35695-35696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17296]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-CE-30-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Corporation (formerly 
Beech Aircraft Corporation) Models 1900C, 1900D, and 2000 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Raytheon Aircraft Corporation 
(Raytheon) Models 1900C, 1900D, and 2000 airplanes. The proposed action 
would require inspecting (one-time) the fuel filter assemblies to 
detect any bypass valve that is glued shut. If a bypass valve is glued 
shut, the proposal would require replacing the associated fuel filter 
assembly. Three in-flight occurrences where the low fuel pressure light 
illuminated prompted the proposed action. In each of the instances, a 
bypass valve on the affected engine was glued shut with anaerobic 
thread lock adhesive and when the fuel filter became clogged, proper 
fuel flow to the engine was not obtained. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent lack of fuel to the engine and 
eventual engine shutdown caused by a clogged fuel filter and a 
contaminated fuel filter by-pass valve.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 6, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-CE-30-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from the Raytheon Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 
67201-0085. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket 
at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport 
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 
946-4146; facsimile (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 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, 
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 that summarizes 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. 96-CE-30-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, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-CE-30-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The FAA has received three reports of in-flight occurrences 
involving Ratheon Model 1900 D airplanes, where the low fuel pressure 
light illuminated. Fortunately, the airplane landed safely in these 
incidents. In each of the instances, a bypass valve on the affected 
engine was glued shut with anaerobic thread lock adhesive and when the 
fuel filter became clogged, proper fuel flow to the engine was not 
obtained. Further investigation has revealed that some fuel filter 
assemblies were contaminated with anaerobic thread lock adhesive during 
the manufacturing process.
    Raytheon reports that the following airplane models and serial 
numbers could have fuel filter assemblies contaminated with anaerobic 
thread lock adhesive:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Models                           Serial numbers       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1900C.....................................  UC-1 through UC-174         
1900C (C-12J).............................  UD-1 through UD-6           
1900D.....................................  UE-1 through UE-205         
2000......................................  NC-4 through NC-53          
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Raytheon has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 2677 (for Model 
2000), dated March, 1996; and Beechcraft SB No. 2678 (for Models 1900C 
and 1900D), dated May, 1996. These service bulletins specify procedures 
for (1) inspecting the fuel filter assemblies to detect any bypass 
valves glued shut; and (2) replacing the fuel filter assembly.
    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, including the 
referenced service information, the FAA has determined that AD action 
should be taken to prevent lack of fuel to the engine and eventual 
engine shutdown caused by a clogged fuel filter and a contaminated fuel 
filter by-pass valve.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Raytheon Models 1900C, 1900D, and 2000 
airplanes of the same type design that were manufactured during the 
period when the fuel filter assembly bypass valves were susceptible to 
anaerobic thread lock adhesive contamination, the FAA is proposing AD 
action. The proposed AD would require inspecting (one-time) the fuel 
filter assemblies to detect any bypass valve that is glued shut. If a 
bypass valve is glued shut, the proposal would require replacing the 
fuel filter assembly. Accomplishment of the inspection and replacement 
(if necessary) would be in accordance with Raytheon SB No. 2677 (for 
Model 2000), dated March, 1996; or Beechcraft SB No. 2678 (for Models 
1900C and 1900D), dated May, 1996, as applicable.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 379 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection,

[[Page 35696]]

and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $45,480. This figure only takes into 
account the cost of the inspection and does not take into account the 
cost of replacing any fuel filter assembly found to have a 
nonfunctional bypass valve. A fuel filter assembly replacement would 
take approximately 1 workhour (possible two fuel filter assembly 
replacements per airplane) at approximately $60 per hour. The 
manufacturer will provide parts at no cost to the owner/operator. The 
FAA knows of no affected airplane owner/operator that has already 
accomplished the proposed action.

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.
    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) 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 has been placed 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 a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Raytheon Aircraft Corporation (formerly Beech Aircraft Corporation): 
Docket No. 96-CE-30-AD.

    Applicability: The following airplane model and serial numbers, 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Models                           Serial numbers       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1900C.....................................  UC-1 through UC-174         
1900C (C-12J).............................  UD-1 through UD-6           
1900D.....................................  UE-1 through UE-205         
2000......................................  NC-4 through NC-53          
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 50 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent lack of fuel to the engine and eventual engine 
shutdown caused by a clogged fuel filter and a contaminated fuel 
filter by-pass valve, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect (one-time) the fuel filter assemblies to detect any 
bypass valve that is glued shut. If a bypass valve is glued shut, 
prior to further flight, replace the associated fuel filter 
assembly. Accomplish the inspection and replacement (if necessary) 
in accordance with Raytheon Service Bulletin (SB) No. 2677 (for 
Model 2000), dated March, 1996; and Beechcraft SB No. 2678 (for 
Models 1900C and 1900D), dated May, 1996.
    (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) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
the documents referred to herein upon request to the Raytheon 
Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; or 
may examine these documents at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 25, 1996.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager,
Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-17296 Filed 7-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U