Airworthiness Directives; Beech Model 400A and 400T (Military T- 1A) Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-18-AD; Amendment 39-8958; AD 94-14-06]

Airworthiness Directives; Beech Model 400A and 400T (Military T-

1A) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

applicable to certain Beech Model 400A and 400T (military T-1A)

airplanes, that requires an inspection of certain flap roller retention

components to detect discrepant or missing parts, and replacement of

discrepant or missing parts; and installation of new washers on the

roller attach bolts. This amendment is prompted by reports of

undersized tabs on some lock washers, and tabs or inner tangs missing

from the washers installed on the flap roller bolts. Such discrepancies

defeat the locking function of the tab washer, and could result in loss

of the nut and flap roller. The actions specified by this AD are

intended to prevent loss of the main or aft flap surface and subsequent

reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective August 10, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of August 10, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from Beech Aircraft Corporation, 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-120W, 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

(military T-1A) airplanes was published in the Federal Register on

March 15, 1994 (59 FR 11939). That action proposed to require an

inspection of certain flap roller retention components to detect

discrepant or missing parts, and replacement of discrepant or missing

parts with new or serviceable parts; and installation of new washers,

tab washers, and flat washers on the roller attach bolts.

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 122 Model Beech 400A and 400T (military T-

1A) airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA

estimates that 102 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this

AD, that it will take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to

accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $55

per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $100 per

airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on

U.S. operators is estimated to be $55,080, or $540 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:

94-14-06 Beech Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-8958. Docket 94-

NM-18-AD.

Applicability: Model 400A airplanes, serial numbers RK-1 through

RK-79 inclusive; and Model 400T (military T-1A) airplanes, serial

numbers TT-1 through TT-42 inclusive, and TT-44; certificated in any

category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent loss of the main or aft flap surface and subsequent

reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

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

this AD, accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2)

of this AD in accordance with Beech Service Bulletin No. 2522, dated

January 1994.

(1) Perform an inspection of the flap roller retention

components to detect discrepant or missing parts; and, prior to

further flight, replace any discrepant or missing part with a new or

serviceable part.

(2) Install new washers, new tab washers, and new flat washers

on the roller attach bolts.

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install

a bolt, part number 45A97115-1 or 45A97115-51; or a tab washer, part

number 168AS-06-2; on any airplane unless the requirements of

paragraph (a)(1) of this AD have been accomplished on that bolt or

tab washer.

(c) 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: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the Wichita ACO.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

Sec. Sec. 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.

(e) The inspection, replacement, and installation shall be done

in accordance with Beech Service Bulletin No. 2522, dated January

1994. 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,

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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 10, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 23, 1994.

S.R. Miller,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-15735 Filed 7-8-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-U