[Federal Register: November 5, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 214)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 62544-62545]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05no03-21]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 62544]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-CE-27-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company Model 1900C
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Raytheon Model 1900C airplanes. This proposed AD would
require you to replace the 200-amp electrical power current limiter in
the landing gear with a 60-amp electrical power circuit breaker. This
proposed AD is the result of reports about the inability to
automatically lower the landing gear and the inability to operate other
related electrical systems. The actions specified by this proposed AD
are intended to prevent heat damage to the electrical wiring in and
around the landing gear electrical systems components, which could
result in the inability to operate critical control systems. Such
failure could lead to loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by January 6,
2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed
AD:
[sbull] By mail: FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-27-AD, 901 Locust, Room
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
[sbull] By fax: (816) 329-3771. [sbull] By e-mail: 9-ACE-Docket@faa.gov. Comments sent
electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-27-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.
You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from Raytheon Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140.
You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-27-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Easterwood, Aerospace Engineer,
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita,
Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4132; facsimile: (316) 946-4107.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal.
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD
Docket No. 2003-CE-27-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. If you
want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-
addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it. We
will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back to you.
Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay
attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this
proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.
Discussion
What events have caused this proposed AD? We have received a report
where the landing gear would not extend using normal operations and
another report where certain electrical system components on the left
generator and the center bus became inoperable.
The 200-amp current limiter, which protects the landing gear power
wiring, did not operate correctly. This caused heat damage to the
wiring in the landing gear power relay and surrounding electrical
systems components.
The electrical system components that this condition potentially
could affect include prop deice, surface deice, flaps, and left-hand
windshield anti-ice.
Installing a 60-amp circuit breaker will protect the landing gear
motor and associated circuitry from welding of the landing gear power
relay contacts and sticking.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? If not
corrected, this condition could result in heat damage to the electrical
wiring in and around the landing gear electrical systems components.
Such a condition could lead to loss of control of the airplane.
Is there service information that applies to this subject? Raytheon
has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 24-2616, Rev. 1, Revised:
April, 2002.
What are the provisions of this service information? The service
bulletin includes procedures for incorporating a modification kit that
replaces the 200-amp current limiter in the landing gear motor with a
60-amp circuit breaker.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
What has FAA decided? We have evaluated all pertinent information
and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop
on other products of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing
AD action.
What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service
bulletin.
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On
July 10, 2002, we 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 altered products, special flight
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. 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.
[[Page 62545]]
Costs of Compliance
How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that
this proposed AD affects 25 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to
accomplish this proposed modification:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane Total cost on U.S. operators
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12 workhours x $65 per hour = $672 $780 + $672 = $1,452 $1,452 x 25 = $36,300.
$780.
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Regulatory Findings
Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have determined
that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under
Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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.
Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
AD:
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. 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD
and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-27-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Raytheon Aircraft Company: Docket No. 2003-CE-27-AD
When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?
(a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness
directive (AD) by January 6, 2004.
What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?
(b) None.
What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?
(c) This AD affects Model 1900C airplanes, serial numbers UB-1
through UB-35, that are certificated in any category.
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) This AD is the result of reports about the inability to
automatically lower the landing gear and the inability to operate
other related electrical systems. The actions specified in this AD
are intended to prevent heat damage to the electrical wiring in and
around the landing gear electrical systems components, which could
result in the inability to operate critical control systems. Such
failure could lead to loss of control of the airplane.
What Must I Do To Address This Problem?
(e) To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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Incorporate Kit No. 114-3036-1, Within the next In accordance with
which replaces the 200-amp 600 hours time-in- Raytheon Service
landing gear electrical power service (TIS) Bulletin SB 24-
current limiter with a 60-amp after the 2616, Rev. 1,
circuit breaker. effective date of Revised: April,
this AD, unless 2002.
already
accomplished.
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What About Alternative Methods of Compliance?
(f) You may request a different method of compliance or a
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in
14 CFR 39.13. Send your request to the Manager, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For information on any already
approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Bryan
Easterwood, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road,
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4132; facsimile: (316)
946-4107.
How Do I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?
(g) You may get copies of the documents 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 these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 30, 2003.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-27798 Filed 11-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P