Airworthiness Directives: Beech Aircraft Corporation Models B300 and B300C Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-CE-42-AD; Amendment 39-8782; AD 94-01-01]

Airworthiness Directives: Beech Aircraft Corporation Models B300

and B300C Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

applies to certain Beech Aircraft Corporation (Beech ) Models B300 and

B300C airplanes that do not have all cabin seats modified through the

incorporation of Beech Kit No. 303-307. This action requires inspecting

the cabin seat frames for cracks, repairing any cracks, and modifying

the cabin seat frames by incorporating the kit referenced above.

Inspection of affected in-service airplanes reveals cracking of these

cabin seats around the welded-in bushings. The bearing shafts, which

retain the seat frame and belted occupant, are bolted to the frame

through these bushings. The actions specified by this AD are intended

to prevent separation of the seat from its base caused by cracks around

the welded-in bushings, which, in the event of an accident, could

result in occupant injury.

DATES: Effective February 11, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of February 11, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained

from the Beech Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas

67201-0085, or Tosington Enterprises Inc., 2261 Madera Road, Simi

Valley, California. This information may also be examined at the

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the

Assistant Chief Counsel, room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Don Campbell, Wichita Aircraft

Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport,

Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4128; facsimile (316) 946-

4407.

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

Aviation Regulations to include an AD that would apply to certain Beech

Models B300 and B300C airplanes that do not have all cabin seats

modified through the incorporation of Beech Kit 303-307 was published

in the Federal Register on September 10, 1993 (58 FR 47678). The action

proposed to require inspecting the cabin seat frames for cracks,

repairing any cracks, and modifying the cabin seat frames by

incorporating Beech Kit No. 303-307. The proposed actions would be

accomplished in accordance with either Beech SB No. 2443 or Tosington

SB No. 001, both dated July 1993, as applicable.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the

proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

After careful review, the FAA has determined that air safety and

the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except

for minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these

minor corrections will not change the meaning of the AD nor add any

additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

The FAA estimates that 79 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be

affected by this AD, that it would take approximately 45 workhours per

airplane (5 hours per seat x 9 seats per airplane) to accomplish the

required action, and that the average labor rate is approximately $55

an hour. Parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the

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

this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $195,525. This figure is

based on the assumption that none of the affected airplanes operators

have accomplished the required action.

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 copy of the final 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, 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.

Section 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new AD:

94-01-01 Beech Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-8782; Docket No.

93-CE-43-AD.

Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes,

certificated in any category, that do not have all nine (9) cabin

seats modified through the incorporation of Beech Kit No. 303-307:

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Model Serial numbers

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B300............................. FL-1 through FL-76.

B300C............................ FM-1, FM-2, and FM-3.

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Note 1: Beech Service Bulletin (SB) 2443 and Tosington

Enterprises Inc. (Tosington) SB No. 001, both dated July 1993,

specify procedures for determining whether Beech Kit No. 303-307 is

installed on a cabin seat frame.

Compliance: Required within the next 150 hours time-in-service

after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent separation of the seat from its base caused by cracks

around the welded-in bushings, which, in the event of an accident,

could result in occupant injury, accomplish the following:

(a) Inspect each cabin seat for cracks in accordance with the

Accomplishment Instructions section of either Beech SB 2443 or

Tosington SB No. 001, both dated July 1993, as applicable. If any

crack is found, prior to further flight, repair the crack in

accordance with the applicable service bulletin referenced above.

Note 2: Each cabin seat has a placard on the lower seat frame

that specifies whether the seat is manufactured by Gordon-Piatt

Energy Group (Beech SB No. 2443) or Tosington Enterprises Inc.

(Tosington SB No. 001).

(b) Modify the cabin seat frames by incorporating Beech Kit No.

303-307 in accordance with the actions specified in the

Accomplishment Instructions section of either Beech SB 2443 or

Tosington SB No. 001, both dated July 1993, as applicable.

(c) 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.

(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be

approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office ACO),

FAA, 1801 Airport Road, room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209. The request

should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance

Inspector, who may add comments and send it to the Manager, Wichita

ACO.

Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the Wichita ACO.

(e) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be

done in accordance with either Beech Service Bulletin 2443 or

Tosington Service Bulletin No. 001, both dated July 1993, as

applicable. 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 the Beech Aircraft

Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085, or Tosington

Enterprises Inc., 2261 Madera Road, Simi Valley, California 93065.

Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the

Assistant Chief Counsel, room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,

Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

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

(f) This amendment (39-8782) becomes effective on February 11,

1994.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 22, 1993.

Barry D. Clements,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Office.

[FR Doc. 94-830 Filed 1-12-94; 8:45 am]

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