[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 125 (Monday, June 30, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36675-36678]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15246]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0345; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-230-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Beechcraft Corporation (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon
Aircraft Company; Beech Aircraft Corporation) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech
Aircraft Corporation) Model 400, 400A, 400T, and MU-300 airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by a report of a failure of the Acme nut
threads in a pitch trim actuator (PTA). This proposed AD would require
an inspection to determine if PTAs having a certain serial number and
part number are installed, and replacement if they are installed. This
proposed AD would also require repetitive replacements of PTAs with new
PTAs or certain overhauled PTAs. We are proposing this AD to prevent
failure of the Acme nut threads in the PTA, which could lead to loss of
control of pitch trim and reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 29, 2014.
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
[[Page 36676]]
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Beechcraft Corporation, TMDC, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, KS 67201-0085;
telephone 316-676-8238; fax 316-671-2540; email [email protected];
Internet http://pubs.beechcraft.com. You may view this referenced
service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0345; 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: Ann Johnson, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent
Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946-4105; 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 proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0345;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-230-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 have received a report of a failure of the Acme nut threads in a
PTA, due to accelerated thread wear on the Acme nut that mates with the
jackscrew. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of
the Acme nut threads in the PTA, which could lead to loss of control of
pitch trim and reduced controllability of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 27-4100,
dated March 2012. This service bulletin describes procedures for an
inspection to determine if PTAs having a certain serial number and part
number are installed, and replacing those PTAs having specific serial
numbers listed in the service bulletin.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type
designs.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously, except as discussed
under ``Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service
Information.''
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
Although Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 27-4100,
dated March 2012, does not require repetitive replacements, this
proposed AD would require repetitive replacements of PTAs with new PTAs
or with overhauled PTAs having an Acme nut and jackscrew replaced with
a new Acme nut and jackscrew every 1,800 flight hours or at the next
PTA overhaul, whichever occurs first.
While the effectivity of Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service
Bulletin 27-4100, dated March 2012, does not include Model MU-300
airplanes, those airplanes are included in the applicability of this
proposed AD since the affected PTAs can also be used on these
airplanes.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 735 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Identification of serial/part 1 work-hour x $85 $0................ $85............... $62,475.
numbers (735 airplanes). per hour = $85.
Replacement of PTA (26 10 work-hours x $17,334 per $18,184 per $472,784 per
airplanes). $85 per hour = replacement. replacement. replacement.
$850 per
replacement.
Repetitive replacement of 10 work-hours x $17,334 per $18,184 per $13,365,240 per
jackscrew and Acme nut on PTAs $85 per hour = replacement. replacement. replacement.
(735 airplanes). $850 per
replacement.
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According to the manufacturer, the costs of this proposed AD
associated with Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 27-4100,
dated March 2012, may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the
cost impact on affected owners/operators. We do not control warranty
coverage for affected individuals. As a result, we have included all
costs in our cost estimate. The costs of the repetitive replacement are
not covered under warranty. However, the PTA manufacturer states that
it is already replacing the Acme nut and jackscrew at every overhaul,
so the owners/operators should not see a cost increase due to this
repetitive replacement requirement.
[[Page 36677]]
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, 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 proposed 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):
Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Hawker
Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech Aircraft
Corporation): Docket No. FAA-2014-0345; Directorate Identifier 2013-
NM-230-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by August 29, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1)
and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech
Aircraft Corporation) airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i),
(c)(1)(ii), and (c)(1)(iii) of this AD.
(i) Model 400 Beechjet airplanes having serial numbers RJ-1
through RJ-65, inclusive.
(ii) Model 400A Beechjet airplanes having serial numbers RK-1
through RK-604, inclusive.
(iii) Model 400T Beechjet airplanes having serial numbers TT-1
through TT-180, inclusive, and TX-1 through TX-13, inclusive.
(2) Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company; Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries, Inc. Ltd.) Model MU-300 airplanes, having serial
numbers A003SA through A093SA, inclusive.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
Controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a failure of the Acme nut
threads in a pitch trim actuator (PTA). We are issuing this AD to
prevent failure of the Acme nut threads in the PTA, which could lead
to loss of control of pitch trim and reduced controllability of the
airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Determination of Serial Number and Part Number
Within 200 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect to determine the serial
number and part number of the PTA, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service
Bulletin 27-4100, dated March 2012. A review of manufacturer
delivery and operator maintenance records is acceptable, in lieu of
the inspection, if the serial number and part number of the PTA can
be conclusively determined from that review.
(h) Replacement
If any serial number and part number found during an inspection
required by paragraph (g) of this AD is one listed in Table 1 or
Table 2 of Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 27-4100,
dated March 2012: Within 200 flight hours or 6 months after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, replace the PTA
with a serviceable PTA or an overhauled PTA having an Acme nut and
jackscrew replaced with a new Acme nut and jackscrew, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory
Service Bulletin 27-4100, dated March 2012.
(i) Repetitive Replacements
Within 1,800 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
or at the next PTA overhaul, whichever occurs first, replace the PTA
with a new PTA or an overhauled PTA having the Acme nut and
jackscrew replaced with a new Acme nut and jackscrew, in accordance
with sections 3.A.(2), (3), and (5) through (10) of Hawker
Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 27-4100, dated March 2012.
Repeat the replacement thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,800
flight hours, or at every PTA overhaul, whichever occurs first.
(j) 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 paragraph (k)(1) 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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Ann Johnson,
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA,
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room
100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946-
4105; fax: (316) 946-4107; email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Beechcraft Corporation, TMDC, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, KS 67201-0085;
telephone 316-676-8238; fax 316-671-2540; email [email protected];
Internet http://pubs.beechcraft.com. You may view this referenced
service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
[[Page 36678]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 10, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-15246 Filed 6-27-14; 8:45 am]
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