[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 246 (Friday, December 22, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66527-66529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-31189]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-142-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Beech (Raytheon) Model BAe 125-800A and
Hawker 800 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Beech (Raytheon) Model BAe
125-800A and Hawker 800 series airplanes. This proposal would require a
detailed visual inspection of the fuel feed hose assemblies of the
auxiliary power unit (APU) to detect overheating, degradation, proper
routing, and adequate clearance; and the correction of any
discrepancies found. This proposal is prompted by reports of heat
damage to the fuel feed hose assembly of the APU due to contact between
the hose assembly and hot surfaces. The actions specified by the
proposed AD are intended to prevent such heat damage, which could lead
to a possible fire/smoke hazard when failure of the hose assembly
occurs and subsequent fuel mist or spray is emitted into the rear
equipment bay.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 30, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-142-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, Manger Service Engineering,
Hawker Customer Support 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1149.
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
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.
[[Page 66528]]
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 95-NM-142-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-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 95-NM-142-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056. Discussion
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness
authority for the United Kingdom, recently notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Beech (Raytheon) Model BAe 125-
800A and Hawker 800 series airplanes. The CAA advises that it has
received reports of heat damage to the fuel feed hose assembly of the
auxiliary power unit (APU). The cause of such heat damage has been
attributed to contact between the hose assembly and hot surfaces. This
condition, if not corrected, could lead to a possible fire/smoke hazard
if failure of the hose assembly occurs and fuel mist or spray is
subsequently emitted into the rear equipment bay.
The manufacturer has issued Service Bulletin SB. 49-45, dated May
15, 1995. The service bulletin describes procedures for a detailed
visual inspection to detect overheating or degradation of the hose
assemblies; to verify proper routing of fuel feed hose assembly of the
APU; and to verify if adequate clearance (0.5 inch) exists between the
hose assembly and the left-hand mixer valve/main air valve assemblies
and associated hot air ducting. The service bulletin also provides
procedures for the correction of any discrepancies found during the
inspection. The CAA classified this service bulletin as mandatory in
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in the
United Kingdom.
This airplane model is manufactured in the United Kingdom and is
type certificated for operation in the United States under the
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAA has kept the FAA
informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the
findings of the CAA, reviewed all available information, and determined
that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, the
proposed AD would require a detailed visual inspection to detect
overheating or degradation of the hose assemblies; to verify proper
routing of fuel feed hose assembly of the APU; and to verify if
adequate clearance (0.5 inch) exists between the hose assembly and the
left-hand mixer valve/main air valve assemblies and associated hot air
ducting. It also would require the correction of any discrepancies
prior to further flight. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described
previously.
The FAA estimates that 70 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$8,400, or $120 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this AD were not adopted.
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Beech Aircraft Company (Raytheon Aircraft Company): Docket 95-NM-
142-AD.
Applicability: Model BAe 125-800A (including military variants
C-29A and U-125) and Hawker 800 series airplanes, constructor's
numbers 8091 and subsequent; equipped with Turbomach auxiliary power
unit (APU) (Modification 259404B); 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 use the authority
provided in paragraph (b) of this AD to request approval from the
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent heat damage to the fuel feed hose assemblies of the
auxiliary power unit (APU), which could lead to a possible fire/
smoke hazard if failure of the hose assembly occurs and fuel mist or
spray is subsequently emitted into the rear equipment bay,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 75 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a detailed visual inspection to detect overheating or degradation of
the hose assemblies; to verify proper routing of fuel feed hose
assembly of the auxiliary power unit (APU); and to verify if
adequate clearance (0.5 inch) exists between the hose assembly
(outlet from the fuel pump box of the APU) and the left-hand
[[Page 66529]]
mixer valve/main air valve assemblies and associated hot air ducting;
in accordance with Hawker Service Bulletin SB. 49-45, dated May 15,
1995.
(1) If no discrepancy is detected, no further action is required
by this AD.
(2) If any overheating or degradation is detected, prior to
further flight, replace the hose assembly with a new assembly,
ensuring proper clearance and routing exists, in accordance with the
service bulletin.
(3) If any hose assembly is improperly routed, prior to further
flight, re-route the assembly maintaining proper clearance, in
accordance with the service bulletin.
(4) If the clearance of the hose assembly is inadequate and the
hose assembly is properly routed, prior to further flight, adjust
the hose assembly to achieve the 0.5-inch clearance, in accordance
with the service bulletin.
(b) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(c) 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 December 18, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-31189 Filed 12-21-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U