[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44677-44679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17921]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0187; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-087-AD;
Amendment 39-17917; AD 2014-15-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Beechcraft Corporation Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Hawker
Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company; Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries, Inc. Ltd.) Model MU-300 airplanes, and Beechcraft
Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Hawker Beechcraft
Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech Aircraft Corporation)
Model 400, 400A, and 400T airplanes. This AD was prompted by multiple
reports of fatigue cracking in the horizontal stabilizer ribs. This AD
requires repetitive inspections of the horizontal stabilizer rib
assemblies for cracking, and replacement if necessary. We are issuing
this AD to detect and correct such cracking, which could result in the
failure of the horizontal stabilizer and loss of pitch control of the
airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective September 5, 2014.
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-
0187; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Chapman, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, KS
67209; phone: 316-946-4152; fax: 316-946-4107; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Beechcraft
Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Hawker Beechcraft
Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,
Inc. Ltd.) Model MU-300 airplanes Type Certificate previously held by
Mitsubishi; Raytheon Aircraft Company) Model MU-300 airplanes, and
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech
Aircraft Corporation) Model 400, 400A, and 400T airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on April 4, 2014 (79 FR 18848). The
NPRM was prompted by multiple reports of fatigue cracking in the
horizontal stabilizer ribs. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive
inspections of the horizontal stabilizer rib assemblies for cracking,
and replacement if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct such cracking, which could result in the failure of the
horizontal stabilizer and loss of pitch control of the airplane.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 18848, April 4,
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (79 FR 18848, April 4, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 18848, April 4, 2014).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 735 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 44678]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspection....................... 20 work-hours x $85 $30 $1,730 per $1,271,550 per
per hour = $1,700 inspection cycle. inspection cycle.
per inspection
cycle.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these
replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement.................................. 280 work-hours x $85 per hour = $8,321 $32,121
$23,800.
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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 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
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),
(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.
Adoption of the Amendment
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 (AD):
2014-15-15 Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held
by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech
Aircraft Corporation); and Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft
Company; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Inc. Ltd.): Amendment 39-
17917; Docket No. FAA-2014-0187; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-087-
AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective September 5, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the airplanes, certificated in any category,
identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(5) of this AD.
(1) Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company; Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries, Inc. Ltd.) Model MU-300 airplanes, serial numbers
A003SA through A093SA inclusive.
(2) Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech
Aircraft Corporation) Model 400 airplanes, serial numbers RJ-1
through RJ-65 inclusive.
(3) Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech
Aircraft Corporation) Model 400A airplanes, serial numbers RK-1
through RK-604 inclusive.
(4) Beechcraft Corporation (Beechcraft Corporation (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation;
Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech Aircraft Corporation) Model 400T
(T-1A) airplanes, serial numbers TT-1 through TT-180 inclusive.
(5) Beechcraft Corporation Beechcraft Corporation (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation;
Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech Aircraft Corporation) Model 400T
(TX), serial numbers TX-1 through TX-13 inclusive.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by multiple reports of fatigue cracking in
the horizontal stabilizer ribs. We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct such cracking, which could result in the failure of the
horizontal stabilizer and loss of pitch control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Repetitive Inspections
Before the accumulation of 7,400 total flight hours or within 6
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later,
perform a radiographic (x-ray) inspection or a borescope inspection
for cracking of the horizontal stabilizer rib assemblies, in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Repeat the inspection thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 2,400 flight hours. For an inspection
[[Page 44679]]
method to be approved by the Manager, Wichita ACO, as required by
this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically
refer to this AD.
(h) Replacement
If any cracking is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, replace the
horizontal rib assemblies with new horizontal rib assemblies, in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Wichita ACO. For a
replacement method to be approved by the Manager, Wichita ACO, as
required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must
specifically refer to this AD. This replacement does not terminate
the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
(i) Special Flight Permit
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 airplane
can be repaired (if the operator elects to do so), provided the
restrictions specified in paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(4) of this
AD are followed.
(1) Do not exceed 10 flight hours of operation.
(2) Only operations under daylight conditions and under visual
flight rules are allowed.
(3) Only operations with the minimum flightcrew and with no
passengers are allowed.
(4) Do not exceed maneuver speed as specified in the applicable
airplane flight manual.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, 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) 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
For more information about this AD, contact Paul Chapman,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4152; fax: 316-
946-4107; email: [email protected].
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 14, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-17921 Filed 7-31-14; 8:45 am]
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