[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 40 (Wednesday, February 28, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12723-12724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4049]



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Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 40 / Wednesday, February 28, 2001 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 12723]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-10-AD; Amendment 39-12123; AD 2001-04-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Beech Model 
1900D Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Beech Model 
1900D airplanes that are equipped with a KLN-90B Global Positioning 
System (GPS) incorporated in accordance with AlliedSignal Supplemental 
Type Certificate (STC) SA00245WI-D. This AD requires rewiring the KLN-
90B GPS to eliminate the possibility of inconsistent NAV ``FLAG'' 
displays. This AD is the result of an instance where the copilot's NAV 
``FLAG'' display was based on the pilot's NAV source validity. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to assure that the copilot's 
NAV ``FLAG'' displays are based on the copilot's selected NAV source. 
Inconsistent NAV ``FLAG'' displays could cause the copilot to make 
decisions based on an invalid GPS source without knowing it was 
invalid.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on April 9, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of April 
9, 2001.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from the Raytheon Aircraft Company, PO Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085; telephone: (800) 625-7043 or (316) 676-4556. You may examine this 
information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 
2000-CE-10-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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: Todd Dixon, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4152; 
facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The FAA has received a report of 
inconsistent NAV ``FLAG'' displays on the KLN-90B Global Positioning 
System (GPS) that was installed on a Raytheon Model Beech 1900D 
airplane. This system is installed in accordance with AlliedSignal 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA00245WI-D, and could be installed 
on Raytheon Beech Model 1900D airplanes, serial numbers UE-156 through 
UE-299.
    In this situation, the copilot had the KLN-90B GPS selected as the 
NAV source and the pilot did not have a valid NAV source selected. This 
caused the flight director command bar to disappear from the copilot's 
electronic attitude director indicator (EADI), and the copilot received 
an inconsistent NAV ``FLAG''.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? 
Inconsistent NAV ``FLAG'' displays could cause the copilot to make 
decisions based on an invalid GPS source without knowing it was 
invalid.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued 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 Beech Model 1900D 
airplanes that are equipped with a KLN-90B Global Positioning System 
(GPS) incorporated in accordance with AlliedSignal Supplemental Type 
Certificate (STC) SA00245WI-D. This proposal was published in the 
Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 
2, 2000 (65 FR 65803). The NPRM proposed to require rewiring the KLN-
90B GPS to eliminate the possibility of inconsistent NAV ``FLAG'' 
displays.
    Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were 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.

FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful 
review of all available information related to the subject presented 
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
corrections. We determined that these minor corrections:
    <bullet> Will not change the meaning of the AD; and
    <bullet> Will not add any additional burden upon the public than 
was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 82 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 
modification:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost        Total cost per airplane         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $240..  No parts required for    $240 per airplane......  $240  x  82 = $19,680.
                                        the rewiring.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



[[Page 12724]]

    Note: Warranty credit will be allowed on all affected airplanes 
to the extent specified in the service bulletin.

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted 
herein will not have a substantial direct effect 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, it is determined that this final rule does not 
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    Does this 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 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, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2001-04-05  Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-12123; Docket 
No. 2000-CE-10-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Beech Model 1900D airplanes, serial numbers UE-156 through UE-299, 
that are:
    (1) Certificated in any category; and
    (2) Equipped with a KLN-90B Global Positioning System (GPS) 
incorporated in accordance with AlliedSignal Supplemental Type 
Certificate (STC) SA00245WI-D.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to assure that the copilot's NAV ``FLAG'' 
displays are based on the copilot's selected NAV source. 
Inconsistent NAV ``FLAG'' displays could cause the copilot to make 
decisions based on an invalid GPS source without knowing it was 
invalid.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rewire the KLN-90B Global         Within the next     In accordance with
 Positioning System to eliminate   400 hours time-in-  the
 the possibility of inconsistent   service (TIS)       ACCOMPLISHMENT
 NAV ``FLAG'' displays.            after April 9,      INSTRUCTIONS
                                   2001 (the           section of
                                   effective date of   Raytheon
                                   this AD), unless    Mandatory Service
                                   already             Bulletin SB 34-
                                   accomplished.       3222, Issued:
                                                       January, 2000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.

    Note 1: 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. 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 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 Todd Dixon, Aerospace 
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 
946-4152; 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 
Secs. 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 accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 34-3222, Issued: 
January, 2000. The Director of the Federal Register approved this 
incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
You can get copies from the Raytheon Aircraft Company, PO Box 85, 
Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. You can look at copies at the FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on April 9, 2001.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 8, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-4049 Filed 2-27-01; 8:45 am]
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