Airworthiness Directives; Beech Aircraft Corporation Model 400A and 400T Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-202-AD; Amendment 39-8925; AD 94-11-09]

Airworthiness Directives; Beech Aircraft Corporation Model 400A

and 400T Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Beech Model 400A and 400T airplanes, that

requires inspection to detect damage of the wire harness in the wheel

well of the main landing gear (MLG), and modification, if necessary.

This amendment is prompted by reports of damage to wire harnesses due

to abrasion. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent

loss of control of the fuel supply to the engine or loss of control of

the retraction/extension system for the MLG and MLG door.

DATES: Effective July 7, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of July 7, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from Beech Aircraft Corporation, Commercial Service

Department, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. This information

may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800

North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Engler, Aerospace Engineer,

Airframe Branch, ACE-115W, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita

Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, room 100, Mid-

Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4122; fax

(316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Beech Model 400A and 400T

airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 9, 1994 (59

FR 5965). That action proposed to require inspection to detect damage

of the wire harness in the wheel well of the main landing gear (MLG),

and modification, if necessary.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response

to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require

the adoption of the rule as proposed.

There are approximately 59 Model 400A and 400T airplanes of the

affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 46

airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will

take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required

actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Based on

these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $5,060, or $110 per airplane.

The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on

assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the

requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish

those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

The regulations adopted herein will 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 final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action

and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained

from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption

ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by

reference, Safety. Adoption of the Amendment.

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

94-11-09 Beech: Amendment 39-8925, Docket 93-NM-202-AD.

Applicability: Model 400A airplanes having serial numbers RK-1

through RK-41 inclusive, and Model 400T airplanes having serial

numbers TT-2 through TT-19 inclusive; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent loss of control of the fuel supply to the engine or

loss of control of the retraction/extension system for the main

landing gear (MLG) and MLG door, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 200 hours time-in-service after the effective date of

this AD, perform a general visual inspection to detect damage of the

wire harness in the wheel well of the MLG in accordance with

Beechcraft Service Bulletin 2479, Revision 1, dated November 1993.

(1) If no damage is found, no further action is required by this

AD.

(2) If damage is found, prior to further flight, modify the

wiring in accordance with the service bulletin.

Note 1: This service bulletin references Chapter 20-00 of the

Aircraft Maintenance Manual and Air Force Technical Order P/N T.O.

1-1A-14 for further service information regarding procedures for

modification (removal and splicing) of the wiring.

(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, Wichita Aircraft Certification

Office (ACO), FAA, Small 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, Wichita ACO.

Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Wichita ACO.

(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.

(d) The inspection and modification shall be done in accordance

with Beechcraft Service Bulletin 2479, Revision 1, dated November

1993. (NOTE: The issue date of Revision 1 is indicated only on the

title page; no other page of the document is dated.) This

incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the

Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part

51. Copies may be obtained from Beech Aircraft Corporation,

Commercial Service Department, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-

0085. Copies may be inspected 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on July 7, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 25, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-13234 Filed 6-6-94; 8:45 am]

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