65FR37723 Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model BH.125, DH.125, and HS.125 Series Airplanes
robop...@us.govnews.org
Posting-number: Volume 65, Issue 117, Page 37723
[Federal Register: June 16, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 117)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 37723-37725]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16jn00-14]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-345-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model BH.125, DH.125, and
HS.125 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Raytheon Model DH.125-
1A, -3A, and -400A series airplanes, that currently requires a one-time
inspection to detect scoring of the upper fuselage skin around the
periphery of the cockpit canopy blister interface, and repair, if
necessary. This action would expand the applicability of the existing
AD to include additional airplanes, and would require that the actions
be accomplished in accordance with revised service information for the
newly added airplanes. This AD is prompted by additional reports
indicating that scoring has been detected on the upper fuselage skin
around the periphery of the cockpit canopy blister interface. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect and correct
scoring of the upper fuselage skin around the periphery of the cockpit
canopy blister interface, which could result in reduced structural
integrity of the fuselage, and consequent cabin depressurization.
DATES: Comments must be received by July 31, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-345-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Raytheon Aircraft Company, Commercial Service Department,
P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. This information may be
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100,
Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: T.N. Baktha, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita
Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4155; fax
(316) 946-4407.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
[[Page 37724]]
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NM-345-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 99-NM-345-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On April 24, 1997, the FAA issued AD 97-09-12, amendment 39-10008
(62 FR 24013, May 2, 1997), applicable to all Raytheon Model DH.125-1A,
-3A, and -400A series airplanes, to require a one-time inspection to
detect scoring of the upper fuselage skin around the periphery of the
cockpit canopy blister interface, and repair, if necessary. That action
was prompted by reports indicating that scoring of the upper fuselage
skin had been detected in the area. The requirements of that AD are
intended to detect and correct scoring of the upper fuselage skin
around the periphery of the cockpit canopy blister interface, which
could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage, and
consequent cabin depressurization.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has received numerous
reports indicating that scoring has been detected on the upper fuselage
skin around the periphery of the cockpit canopy blister interface.
Investigation revealed that the scoring was caused by the use of an
improper tool (Exacto knife), which was used to remove excess sealant
along the interface of the fuselage skin and the cockpit canopy. In
light of these additional reports, the FAA has determined that certain
Raytheon Model BH.125, DH.125, and HS.125 series airplanes may be
subject to the identified unsafe condition.
Issuance of Revised Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Raytheon Aircraft Service
Bulletin SB 53-93, Revision 2, dated April 2000. The inspection and
repair procedures described in this revision are identical to those
described in the original issue of the service bulletin (which is
referenced in AD 97-09-12). However, this revision expands the
effectivity listing to include additional airplanes that are subject to
the addressed unsafe condition.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would supersede AD 97-09-12 to continue to require a one-
time inspection to detect scoring of the upper fuselage skin around the
periphery of the cockpit canopy blister interface, and repair, if
necessary. This action would expand the applicability of the existing
AD to include additional airplanes that may also be subjected to the
identified unsafe condition. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described
previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 290 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 200 airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD.
The actions that are currently required by AD 97-09-12 and retained
in this proposed AD would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane
to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the currently required actions on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $48,000, or $240 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (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) if promulgated, 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 draft
regulatory 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-10008 (62 FR
24013, May 2, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD),
to read as follows:
Raytheon Aircraft Company: Docket 99-NM-345-AD. Supersedes AD 97-09-
12, Amendment 39-10008.
Applicability: Model DH.125, BH.125, and HS.125 series airplanes
as listed in Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 53-93, Revision
2, dated April 2000; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, 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 the unsafe condition has not
[[Page 37725]]
been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed
actions to address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To detect and correct scoring of the upper fuselage skin around
the periphery of the cockpit canopy blister interface, which could
result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage skin, and
consequent cabin depressurization; accomplish the following:
Restatement of the Requirements of AD 97-09-12
(a) For Model DH.125-1A, -3A, and -400A series airplanes as
identified in Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 53-93, dated May
16, 1996: Within 90 days after June 6, 1997 (the effective date of
AD 97-09-12, amendment 39-10008), perform a one-time detailed visual
inspection to detect scoring of the upper fuselage skin around the
periphery of the cockpit canopy blister interface, in accordance
with the service bulletin.
(b) If no scoring is detected during the inspection required by
paragraph (a) of this AD, no further action is required by this AD.
(c) If any scoring is detected during the inspection required by
paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, determine the
maximum location and details of each score, including the edge
distance and material thickness, in accordance with Raytheon
Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 53-93, dated May 16, 1996.
(1) If any scoring is found that is within the limits specified
in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair in
accordance with the service bulletin.
(2) If any scoring is found that is outside the limits specified
in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate.
New Requirements of This AD
(d) For airplanes identified in Raytheon Aircraft Service
Bulletin SB 53-93, Revision 2, dated April 2000, and not previously
identified in paragraph (a) of this AD: Within 90 days after the
effective date of this AD, perform a one-time detailed visual
inspection to detect scoring of the upper fuselage skin around the
periphery of the cockpit canopy blister interface, in accordance
with Raytheon Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 53-93, Revision 2, dated
April 2000.
(1) If no scoring is detected during the inspection required by
paragraph (d) of this AD, no further action is required by this AD.
(2) If any scoring is detected during the inspection required by
paragraph (d) of this AD, prior to further flight, determine the
location and details of each score, including the edge distance and
material thickness, in accordance with the service bulletin.
(i) If any scoring is found that is within the limits specified
in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair in
accordance with the service bulletin.
(ii) If any scoring is found that is outside the limits
specified in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair
in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Wichita ACO.
Note 2: Any inspections and repairs accomplished prior to the
effective date in accordance with Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 53-
93, Revision 1, dated April 1999, are considered acceptable for
compliance for the applicable actions required by this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Wichita ACO. Operators shall submit
their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Wichita ACO.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Wichita ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 12, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-15310 Filed 6-15-00; 8:45 am]
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