[Federal Register: May 5, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 86)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 23575-23577]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05my03-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-CE-18-AD; Amendment 39-13139; AD 2003-09-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 390
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Model 390
airplanes. This AD requires you to modify the aft power distribution
box and the aft ram air duct. This AD is the result of reports of two
incidents involving temporary loss of all attitude display information.
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent moisture from
entering the aft power distribution box through the aft ram air duct,
which could result in electrical power failure. Such failure could lead
to loss of all attitude display information during flight.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on May 13, 2003.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the regulation as of May
13, 2003.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any comments
on this rule on or before June 20, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-18-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments
electronically to the following address: 9-ACE-7-Docket@faa.gov.
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-18-AD''
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for
Windows or ASCII text.
You may get the service information referenced in this AD from
Raytheon Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085;
telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140. You may view this
information at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-18-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: Bryan Easterwood, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4132; facsimile: (316)
946-4107.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
What events have caused this AD? The FAA has received reports of
two incidents involving temporary loss of all attitude display
information during flight on certain Raytheon Model 390 airplanes.
Through investigation and testing, we discovered that moisture is
entering the aft power distribution box through the aft ram air duct,
which could freeze and/or cause corrosion to form in the left-hand and
right-hand generator relays, battery tie relay, and the essential bus
relay. This condition could cause the relays to fail in the open
position or fail in the mid position and result in loss of power.
Raytheon issued Safety Communiqu[eacute] No. 222, dated April 2002,
to inform the owners/operators that power to the standby electrical bus
can be restored by placing the Battery switch in the STBY position to
allow continued flight and landing.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? This
condition, if not corrected, could result in electrical power failure.
Such failure could lead to loss of all attitude display information
during flight.
Is there service information that applies to this subject? Raytheon
has
[[Page 23576]]
issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-3606, Issued: April, 2003; and
Mandatory Service Bulletin 24-3544, Issued; November, 2002.
What are the provisions of this service information? These service
bulletins include procedures for:
[sbull] Modifying the aft power distribution box by replacing part
number SM400D79 (left-hand and right-hand generator relays and battery
tie relay) with part number SM400D79-1 relays, and replacing part
number SM150D22 (essential bus relay) with part number SM150D22-1
relay; and
[sbull] Modifying the aft ram air duct.
The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of This AD
What has FAA decided? The FAA has reviewed all available
information, including the service information referenced above; and
determined that:
[sbull] The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or
could develop on other Raytheon Model 390 airplanes of the same type
design;
[sbull] The actions specified in the previously-referenced service
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
[sbull] AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe
condition.
What does this AD require? This AD requires you to incorporate the
actions in the previously-referenced service bulletins.
In preparation of this rule, we contacted type clubs and aircraft
operators to obtain technical information and information on
operational and economic impacts. We did not receive any information
through these contacts. If received, we would have included, in the
rulemaking docket, a discussion of any information that may have
influenced this action.
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10,
2002, FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July
22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes
material that relates to special flight permits, alternative methods of
compliance, and altered products. This material previously was included
in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part
39, we will not include it in future AD actions.
Will I have the opportunity to comment prior to the issuance of the
rule? Because the unsafe condition described in this document could
result in loss of all attitude display information during flight, we
find that notice and opportunity for public prior comment are
impracticable. Therefore, good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
How do I comment on this AD? Although this action is in the form of
a final rule and was not preceded by notice and opportunity for public
comment, FAA invites your comments on the rule. You may submit whatever
written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to include the
rule's docket number and submit your comments to the address specified
under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received on
or before the closing date specified above. We may amend this rule in
light of comments received. Factual information that supports your
ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the
effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether we need to take
additional rulemaking action.
Are there any specific portions of the AD I should pay attention
to? We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view all comments we receive
before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules Docket. We
will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each FAA contact
with the public that concerns the substantive parts of this AD.
How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want us to
acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you must include a self-
addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to
Docket No. 2003-CE-18-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard
back to you.
Regulatory Impact
Does this AD impact various entities? These regulations 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, FAA has determined that this final rule does not have
federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? We
have determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation that
must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft,
and is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
It has been determined further that this action involves an emergency
regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034,
February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation
otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed
in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is not required). A copy
of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
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
0
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]
0
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD)
to read as follows:
2003-09-10 Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-13139; Docket No.
2003-CE-18-AD.
(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD applies to
Model 390 airplanes, serial numbers RB-1 through RB-64, that are
certificated in any category.
(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must
comply with this AD.
(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent moisture from entering the aft power
distribution box through the aft ram air duct, which could result in
electrical power failure. Such failure could lead to loss of all
attitude display information during flight.
(d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this
problem, you must accomplish the following actions:
[[Page 23577]]
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Remove the aft power Within the next 10 In accordance with
distribution box and: hours time-in- Raytheon Aircraft
(i) Inspect the left-hand service (TIS) after Mandatory Service
and right-hand generator May 13, 2003 (the Bulletin SB 24-
relays and the battery tie effective date of 3606, Issued:
relay to determine if they this AD), unless April, 2003.
are part number SM400D79 already
(or FAA-approved equivalent accomplished.
part number);.
(ii) Replace part number
SM400D79 with part number
SM400D79-1 relays (or FAA-
approved equivalent part
number);.
(iii) Inspect the essential
bus relay to determine if
it is part number SM150D22
(or FAA-approved equivalent
part number); and
(iv) Replace part number
SM150D22 relay with part
number SM150D22-1 relay (or
FAA-approved equivalent
part number) (unless
already accomplished in
accordance with Raytheon
Aircraft Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB 24-3544,
Issued: November, 2002)
(2) Remove and modify the Within the next 10 In accordance with
aft ram air duct. If the hours TIS after May Raytheon Aircraft
procedures in Raytheon 13, 2003 (the Mandatory Service
Aircraft Mandatory Service effective date of Bulletin SB 24-
Bulletin SB 24-3544, this AD), unless 3606, Issued:
Issued: November, 2002, already April, 2003, and
have already been accomplished. Raytheon Aircraft
accomplished, only the Mandatory Service
procedures specified in Bulletin SB 24-
Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory 3544, Issued:
Service Bulletin SB 24- November, 2002.
3606, Issued: April, 2003,
Issued: April, 2003, need
be accomplished.
(3) Only install part number As of May 13, 2003 Not applicable.
SM400D79-1 (left-hand and (the effective date
right-hand generator relays of this AD).
and battery tie relay) (or
FAA-approved equivalent
part number); and part
number SM150D22-1
(essential bus relay) (or
FAA-approved equivalent
part number).
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(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? To use an
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time,
follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Send these requests to the
Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO). For
information on any already approved alternative methods of
compliance, contact Bryan Easterwood, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100,
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4132; facsimile: (316)
946-4107.
(f) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance
with Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-3606,
Issued: April, 2003, and Raytheon Aircraft Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB 24-3544, Issued; November, 2002. 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 Raytheon
Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085;
telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140. You may view this
information at 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.
(g) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment
becomes effective on May 13, 2003.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 23, 2003.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-10726 Filed 5-2-03; 8:45 am]
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