Airworthiness Directives; Beech Model 400A and 400T Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-136-AD; Amendment 39-8779; AD 93-25-15]

Airworthiness Directives; Beech 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 of the rivets in the escape hatch substructure to

verify that the proper rivets are installed, and replacement of the

incorrect rivets with new rivets or fasteners. This amendment is

prompted by the discovery that, during production, incorrect rivets may

have been installed in the escape hatch substructure. The actions

specified by this AD are intended to prevent reduced structural

capability of the airframe.

DATES: Effective February 14, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of February 14, 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,

Propulsion Branch, ACE-140W, 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 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to certain Beech Model 400A and 400T airplanes was published

in the Federal Register on September 13, 1993 (58 FR 47839). That

action proposed to require a one-time inspection of the rivets in the

escape hatch substructure to verify that the proper rivets are

installed, and replacement of the incorrect rivets with new rivets or

fasteners.

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 94 Beech Model 400A and 400T airplanes of

the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 78

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 $400 per airplane. Based on these

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

to be $65,520, or $840 per airplane. This total cost figure assumes

that no operator has yet accomplished the requirements of this AD.

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 14 CFR part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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:

93-25-15 Beech Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-8779. Docket 93-

NM-136-AD.

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

through RK-57 inclusive, RK-59, RK-60, and RK-62 through RK-66

inclusive; and Model 400T airplanes having serial numbers TT-02

through TT-30 inclusive, and TT-32; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent reduced structural capability of the airframe,

accomplish the following:

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

this AD, inspect the rivets in the escape hatch substructure to

verify that the proper rivets are installed in accordance with

Beechcraft Service Bulletin 2509, dated July 1993.

(1) If the rivet is part number (P/N) MS20470E6, no further

action is required by this AD.

(2) If the rivet is not P/N MS20470E6, prior to further flight,

replace the rivet with a new Cherry Max rivet or a HI-LOK fastener,

in accordance with Beechcraft Service Bulletin 2509, dated July

1993.

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

any rivet having P/N MS20470AD5 in the location shown in Figure 1 of

Beechcraft Service Bulletin 2509, dated July 1993, on any airplane.

(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 FAR

21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the

requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(e) The inspection and replacement shall be done in accordance

with Beechcraft Service Bulletin 2509, dated July 1993. (Note: The

issue date of Service Bulletin 2509 is indicated only on page 1 of

the document; no other page of this 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, 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 February 14, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 21, 1993.

James V. Devany,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-829 Filed 01-12-94; 8:45 am]

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