[Federal Register: May 6, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 87)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 23886-23888]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06my03-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-CE-26-AD; Amendment 39-13141; AD 2003-09-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 1900D
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) Model 1900D
airplanes. This AD requires you to accomplish a one-time inspection for
missing rivets on certain areas of the airplane and, if necessary,
install rivets. This AD is the result of Raytheon identifying several
instances of missing rivets on these airplanes. The actions specified
by this AD are intended to detect and correct an understrength
condition in the fuselage, which could result in the failure of the
fuselage. Such failure could lead to loss of control of the airplane in
flight.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 27, 2003.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of June
27, 2003.
ADDRESSES: 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 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No.
2002-CE-26-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: Mr. Steven E. Potter, Aerospace
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport
Road, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4124; facsimile:
(316) 946-4107.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
What events have caused this AD? The FAA has received reports from
Raytheon that during manufacturing rivets were not installed in the
following locations:
--Lower frame forward of the airstair door below the pilot's floor;
--Forward of the upper forward corner of the airstair door;
--The bulkhead forward of the cargo door below floor level; and
--The lower fuselage panel aft of the wing.
These rivets must be installed for the fuselage to carry the
ultimate design load. Without the rivets, these areas are
understrength.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? The
understrength condition in the fuselage could result in the failure of
the fuselage. Such failure could lead to loss of control of the
airplane in flight.
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 Model 1900D
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 31, 2002 (67 FR
79891). The NPRM proposed to require you to accomplish a one-time
inspection for missing rivets on certain areas of the airplane and, if
necessary, install rivets.
Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not
receive any comments on the proposed rule or on our 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 have determined that these minor corrections:
--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the
unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already
proposed in the NPRM.
Cost Impact
How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD
affects 370 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
inspection:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane Total cost U.S. operators
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8 workhours x $60 per hour = $480.. No parts required..... $480 $480 x 370 = $177,600
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We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary rivet
installation that will be required based on the results of the
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that
may need such installation:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane
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15 workhours x $60 per hour = $900.... $25 $925
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[[Page 23887]]
Compliance Time of This AD
What is the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of this
AD is within the next 1,200 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 1 year after
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
Why is the compliance time of this AD presented in both hours TIS
and calendar time? The usage of these airplanes varies widely because
operators or lessors are cycling these airplanes between airplane
storage and flight operations. The unsafe condition on these airplanes
is not a direct result of the number of times the airplane is operated.
For this reason, FAA has determined that the compliance time of this AD
should be specified in both hours TIS and calendar time in order to
ensure this condition is not allowed to go uncorrected over time.
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
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 AD to read as follows:
2003-09-12 Raytheon Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-13141; Docket No.
2002-CE-26-AD.
(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects
Model 1900D airplanes, that are certificated in any category, with
the following serial numbers: UE-1 through UE-50, UE-52 through UE-
350, UE-352 through UE-358, UE-360, UE-361, UE-363 through UE-369,
UE-371 through UE-379, UE-381, UE-382, UE-385, UE-386, and UE-394.
(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 detect and correct an understrength
condition in the fuselage, which could result in the failure of the
fuselage. Such failure could lead to loss of control of the airplane
in flight.
(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To
address this problem, you must accomplish the following, unless
previously accomplished:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Inspect for missing Within the next In accordance with
rivets in the following 1,200 hours time-in- the Accomplishment
locations:. service (TIS) or 1 Instructions of
(i) Lower frame forward of year after June 27, Raytheon Aircraft
the airstair door below the 2003 (the effective Mandatory Service
pilot's floor;. date of this AD), Bulletin No.: SB 53-
(ii) Forward of the upper whichever occurs 3046, Issued:
forward corner of the first. February 2002.
airstair door;.
(iii) The bulkhead forward
of the cargo door below
floor level; and.
(iv) The lower fuselage
panel aft of the wing..
(2) Install rivets where Prior to further In accordance with
rivets are found missing.. flight after the the Accomplishment
inspection required Instructions of
in paragraph (d)(1) Raytheon Aircraft
of this AD. Mandatory Service
Bulletin No.: SB 53-
3046, Issued:
February 2002.
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(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: 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? Mr. Steven E. Potter, Aerospace
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport
Road, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4124; facsimile:
(316) 946-4107.
(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
sections 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 Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No.: SB 53-3046,
Issued: February 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 may get copies from Raytheon Aircraft
[[Page 23888]]
Company, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; telephone:
(800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140. You may view 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 June 27, 2003.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 25, 2003.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-10847 Filed 5-5-03; 8:45 am]
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