[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 15, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28540-28543]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11535]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1180; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-032-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Hawker Beechcraft Corporation
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of
comment period.
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SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive
(AD) for certain Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) Models 58, 58TC,
58P, 95C55, E55, and 56TC airplanes. That NPRM proposed requiring
inspections of elevator balance weights and replacement of defective
elevator balance weights. That NPRM was prompted by reports of elevator
balance weights becoming loose or failing because the balance weight
material was under strength and did not meet material specifications.
This action revises that NPRM to prohibit the installation of
designated spare parts and to clarify applicability. We are proposing
this supplemental NPRM to correct the unsafe condition on these
products. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that
proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the
public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.
DATES: We must receive comments on this supplemental NPRM by July 1,
2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Hawker
[[Page 28541]]
Beechcraft Corporation, B091-A04, 10511 E. Central Ave., Wichita,
Kansas 67206; telephone: 1 (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140; fax: (316)
676-8027; email: [email protected]; or Internet: http://www.hawkerbeechcraft.com/customer_support/technical_and_field_support/. You may review copies of the referenced service information
at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: T. N. Baktha, Senior Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita,
Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4155; fax: (316) 946-4107; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-1180;
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-032-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that
would apply to certain Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) Models 58,
58TC, 58P, 95C55, E55, and 56TC airplanes. That NPRM published in the
Federal Register on November 6, 2012 (77 FR 66566). That NPRM proposed
to require inspections of elevator balance weights and replacement of
defective elevator balance weights. The balance weight material was
understrength and did not meet the material specification requirements.
A balance weight looseness and/or failure could reduce the flutter
speed and lead to loss of control.
Actions Since Previous NPRM Was Issued
Since we issued the previous NPRM (77 FR 66566, November 6, 2012),
we identified the need to clarify the applicability and prohibit the
installation of designated spare parts on airplanes. This change
decreases the exposed risk by not allowing known faulty parts to enter
into service and mitigates the chance of multiple opportunities for the
same airplane to experience faulty part installation reintroducing the
unsafe condtion.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to comment on the original NPRM
(77 FR 66566, November 6, 2012). We received no comments on that NPRM
or on the determination of the cost to the public.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this supplemental NPRM because we evaluated all
the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same
type design. Certain changes described above expand the scope of the
original NPRM (77 FR 66566, November 6, 2012). As a result, we have
determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment period to provide
additional opportunity for the public to comment on this supplemental
NPRM.
Proposed Requirements of the Supplemental NPRM
This supplemental NPRM would require accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1,326 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspection of the elevator balance .5 work-hour x $85 per Not applicable $42.50 $56,355
weight. hour = $42.50.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection.
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need
this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replacement of elevator balance weight........ 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.... $300 $385
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According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
[[Page 28542]]
section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator.
``Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs'' describes in more detail the scope
of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 (AD):
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2012-1180; Directorate
Identifier 2012-CE-032-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by July 1, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) Models
58, 58TC, 58P, 95C55, E55, and 56TC airplanes, all serial numbers,
certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 2730: Elevator Balance Weight.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of elevator balance weights
becoming loose or failing because the balance weight material was
under strength and did not meet material specifications. We are
issuing this AD to prevent the elevator balance weights from
becoming lose or failing, which could result in reduced flutter
speed and lead to loss of control.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done, following the instructions in Hawker Beechcraft
Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 55-4089, Revision 1, dated February,
2012.
(g) Inspect Maintenance Records
(1) For Model 58 airplanes, serial numbers TH-1768 through TH-
2110, review the airplane maintenance records to determine if either
of the elevator balance weights have ever been replaced. An owner/
operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate is
allowed to do this action.
(i) If, as a result of the maintenance records check, you
positively identify that one or both of the elevator balance weights
have never been replaced, then complete all of the actions in
paragraph (h) and (i), all subparagraphs, as applicable in this AD.
(ii) If, as a result of the maintenance records check, you
identify both balance weights have been replaced and you can
positively identify by means of an Airworthiness Approval Tag (FAA
Form 8130-3) or other positive form of parts identification such as
a shipping ticket, invoice, or direct ship authority letter, that
the purchase date from Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) on both
balance weights is outside the date range of January 1, 1996, and
December 31, 2005, then no further action is required for this AD.
(iii) For a replaced balance weight, if you cannot positively
identify the date of purchase of a balance weight from HBC, then you
must complete all of the actions in paragraph (h) and (i), all
subparagraphs, as applicable in this AD.
(2) For Model 58 airplanes, all serial numbers (except TH-1768
through TH-2110), and Models 58TC, 58P, 95C55, E55, and 56TC
airplanes, all serial numbers, review the airplane maintenance
records to determine if the elevator balance weights have ever been
replaced. An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot
certificate is allowed to do this action.
(i) If, as a result of the maintenance records check, you
positively identify that both of the elevator balance weights have
never been replaced, then no further action is required for this AD.
An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot
certificate is allowed to do this action.
(ii) If, as a result of the maintenance records check, you
identify that one or both of the balance weights have been replaced
and you can positively identify by means of an Airworthiness
Approval Tag (FAA Form 8130-3) or other positive form of parts
identification such as a shipping ticket, invoice, or direct ship
authority letter, that the purchase date from HBC is outside the
date range of January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2005, then no
further action is required for this AD.
(iii) If you cannot positively identify the date of purchase of
an aircraft balance weight from HBC, then you must perform all of
the actions in paragraph (h) and (i), all subparagraphs, as
applicable in this AD.
(h) Inspection of Elevator Balance Weight
Before further flight after the effective date of this AD and
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service
(TIS) until the replacement required by this AD is done, inspect the
elevator balance weights for looseness, failure, and/or working
(smoking) fasteners and inserts.
(i) Replacement of Elevator Balance Weight
(1) Replace the defective elevator balance weight with an
airworthy balance weight as specified in Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory
Service Bulletin SB 55-4089, Revision 1, dated February, 2012, at
either paragraph (i)(1)(i) or (i)(1)(ii) of this AD, whichever
occurs first:
(i) Before further flight after any inspection required by
paragraph (g) of this AD where any looseness, failure, and/or
working (smoking) fasteners and inserts are found; or,
(ii) Within the next 200 hours TIS after the effective date of
this AD.
(2) Replacement of elevator balance weights with airworthy
elevator balance weights terminates the 100-hour inspection
requirement in paragraph (g) of this AD.
(3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install P/N 96-
610022, P/N 96-61022-5, P/N 96-610022-7, and P/N 96-610022-9
elevator balance weight assemblies, if originally purchased from
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation between January 1, 1996, and December
31, 2005, on any airplane.
(j) Special Flight Permit
Special flight is permitted with the following limitations:
Maximum structural cruising speed (Vno) = Design Speed
for maximum gust intensity (Vb) = 195 Knots Calibrated
Airspeed (KCAS), or Vno=Vb=195KCAS. This
special flight is not allowed into known turbulence, and the
duration of this flight should not be more than a total of 10 hours
TIS.
[[Page 28543]]
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in the Related Information
section of this AD.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(l) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact T. N. Baktha,
Senior Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, Room
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4155; fax: (316)
946-4107; email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, B091-A04, 10511 E. Central Ave.,
Wichita, Kansas 67206; telephone: 1 (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-
3140; fax: (316) 676-8027; email: [email protected]; or
Internet: http://www.hawkerbeechcraft.com/customer_support/technical_and_field_support/. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
(816) 329-4148.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 8, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-11535 Filed 5-14-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P