[Federal Register: October 27, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 207)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 62570-62571]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27oc04-6]
[[Page 62570]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-18660; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-161-AD;
Amendment 39-13830; AD 2004-22-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon (Beech) Model MU-300-10, 400,
400A, and 400T Series Airplanes; and Raytheon (Mitsubishi) Model Beech
MU-300 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Raytheon (Beech) Model MU-300-10, 400, 400A, and 400T series
airplanes; and certain Raytheon (Mitsubishi) Model Beech MU-300
airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection of certain panels in
the spoiler mixer bay for the presence of drain holes, and the addition
of at least one new drain hole; and a one-time inspection for
discrepancies of the sealant on the relief cutout on the aft pressure
bulkhead, and on certain baffles; and corrective actions if necessary.
This AD is prompted by a report of fuel leaking from components in the
spoiler mixer bay of several Raytheon (Beech) Model 400A series
airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent the accumulation of fuel
and/or fuel vapor in the spoiler mixer bay and/or the aft fuselage
compartment, which could result in a fire in the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective December 1, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of
December 1, 2004.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Raytheon Aircraft Company, Department 62, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas
67201-0085. You can examine this information at the National Archives
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW, room PL-401,
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Technical information: Jeff Pretz, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801
Airport Road, Propulsion 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas
67209; telephone (316) 946-4153; fax (316) 946-4107.
Plain language information: Marcia Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.
Examining the Docket
The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any final
disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR Part 39
with an AD for certain Raytheon (Beech) Model MU-300-10, 400, 400A, and
400T series airplanes; and certain Raytheon (Mitsubishi) Model Beech
MU-300 airplanes. The proposed AD was published in the Federal Register
on July 22, 2004 (69 FR 43783), to require a one-time inspection of
certain panels in the spoiler mixer bay for the presence of drain
holes, and the addition of at least one new drain hole; and a one-time
inspection for discrepancies of the sealant on the relief cutout on the
aft pressure bulkhead, and on certain baffles; and corrective actions
if necessary.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Clarification of Requirements in Paragraph (f) of the Final Rule
In paragraph (f) of the proposed AD we inadvertently referenced
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of the proposed AD; this is a
typographical error. It was our intent to reference paragraphs (f)(1)
and (f)(2). Paragraph (a) only references the comment due date and does
not contain subparagraphs (1) and (2). Paragraph (f) of this final rule
has been changed to correctly reference paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of
this AD.
Costs of Compliance
This AD will affect about 673 airplanes worldwide. The following
table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with
this AD.
Estimated Costs
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Average Number of
Work labor Cost per U.S.
Action hours rate per Parts airplane registered Fleet cost
hour airplanes
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Inspections...................... 1 $65 None............... $65 610 $39,650
Drilling one drain hole.......... 3 65 None............... 195 610 118,950
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Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(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
[[Page 62571]]
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to
examine the regulatory evaluation.
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 FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2004-22-02 Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech): Amendment 39-
13830. Docket No. FAA-2004-18660; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-
161-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December
1, 2004.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Raytheon (Beech) Model MU-300-10, 400,
400A, and 400T series airplanes; and Raytheon (Mitsubishi) Model
Beech MU-300 airplanes; certificated in any category; as listed in
Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 53-3486, dated June, 2003.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report of fuel leaking from
components in the spoiler mixer bay of several Raytheon (Beech)
Model 400A series airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent the
accumulation of fuel and/or fuel vapor in the spoiler mixer bay and/
or the aft fuselage compartment, which could result in a fire in the
airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Inspections and Corrective Actions
(f) Within 400 flight hours or 12 months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do the actions in
paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD. Do all actions in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Raytheon Service
Bulletin SB 53-3486, dated June 2003.
(1) Do a one-time general visual inspection of the spoiler mixer
bay panels to determine the presence of drain holes. Before further
flight after doing this inspection, drill at least one new drain
hole, and any additional drain holes needed to make a total of five,
at the places in each mixer bay panel specified in the service
bulletin.
(2) Do a one-time general visual inspection for discrepancies of
the sealant on the relief cutout on the aft pressure bulkhead, and
of the small triangular-shaped baffles at left butt line (BL) 19.13
and right BL 10.43. Before further flight after doing this
inspection, do any applicable corrective actions.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area,
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to
enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the inspection
area. This level of inspection is made under normally available
lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight,
or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain
proximity to the area being checked.''
Parts Installation
(g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
on any airplane a spoiler mixer bay panel that has a part number
listed in paragraph 3.B., ``Spares,'' of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 53-3486, dated June
2003, unless the panel has been inspected and modified in accordance
with paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 53-3486, dated
June 2003, to perform the actions that are required by this AD,
unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal
Register approves the incorporation by reference of this document in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of the
service information, contact Raytheon Aircraft Company, Department
62, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. For information on the
availability of this material at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or go to http: //
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
You may view the AD docket at the Docket
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh
Street SW, room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 18, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-23926 Filed 10-26-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P