Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model Hawker 800XP Series Airplanes, and Hawker 800 (U-125A Military Derivative) Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-165-AD; Amendment 39-10540; AD 98-11-13]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Model Hawker 800XP Series

Airplanes, and Hawker 800 (U-125A Military Derivative) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

is applicable to certain Raytheon Model Hawker 800XP series airplanes

and Hawker 800 (U-125A military derivative) airplanes. This action

requires removal of the sealant from the firewall mounting flanges and

mounting points of the fire extinguisher assemblies; removal of sealant

obstructing the discharge tubes of the fire extinguisher assemblies;

cleaning and flushing of the mounting flanges, mounting points, and

discharge tubes with solvent; and installation of new gaskets on the

firewall mounting flanges and mounting points. This amendment is

prompted by reports of excessive sealant applied during manufacture of

the firewall mounting flanges and mounting points of the fire

extinguisher assemblies, which subsequently entered and obstructed the

discharge tubes. The actions specified in this AD are intended to

prevent obstructions of the discharge tubes of the fire extinguisher

assemblies, which could result in improper distribution of the fire

extinguishing agent within the nacelle in the event of a fire.

DATES: Effective June 8, 1998.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of June 8, 1998.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or

before July 21, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-165-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from

Raytheon Aircraft Company, Manager Service

[[Page 28219]]

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; 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: Randy Griffith, Aerospace Engineer,

Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Small Airplane

Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road,

Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316)

946-4145; fax (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received a report indicating

that, during manufacture testing of the fire suppression system on a

Raytheon Model Hawker 800XP series airplane, the system failed to

operate properly. Investigation has revealed that the discharge tubes

of the fire extinguisher assemblies were obstructed. Testing of other

Model Hawker 800XP series airplanes and a Hawker 800 (U-125A military

derivative) airplane revealed similar obstructions of the discharge

tubes of the fire extinguisher assemblies. The cause of the

obstructions has been attributed to excessive sealant applied during

manufacture of the firewall mounting flanges and mounting points of the

fire extinguisher assemblies, which subsequently entered and obstructed

the discharge tubes. This condition, if not corrected, could result in

improper distribution of the fire extinguishing agent within the

nacelle in the event of a fire.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved Raytheon Service Bulletin SB.26-

3197, dated April 1998, which describes procedures for removal of the

sealant from the firewall mounting flanges and mounting points of the

fire extinguisher assemblies; removal of sealant obstructing the

discharge tubes of the fire extinguisher assemblies; cleaning and

flushing of the mounting flanges, mounting points, and discharge tubes

with solvent; and installation of new gaskets on the firewall mounting

flanges and mounting points. Accomplishment of the actions specified in

the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified

unsafe condition.

Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is

being issued to prevent obstructions of the discharge tubes of the fire

extinguisher assemblies, which could result in improper distribution of

the fire extinguishing agent within the nacelle in the event of a fire.

This AD requires removal of the sealant from the firewall mounting

flanges and mounting points of the fire extinguisher assemblies;

removal of sealant obstructing the discharge tubes of the fire

extinguisher assemblies; cleaning and flushing of the mounting flanges,

mounting points, and discharge tubes with solvent; and installation of

new gaskets on the firewall mounting flanges and mounting points.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of

this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior

public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for

making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves

requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by

notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on

this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments will

be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments

received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the

AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be

needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might

suggest a need to modify the 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 that

summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this

AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket Number 98-NM-165-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

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.

The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency

regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe

condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory

action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further

that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory

Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is

determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be

significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final

regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.

A copy of it, if filed, 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

[[Page 28220]]

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

98-11-13 Raytheon Aircraft Company (Formerly Beech): Amendment 39-

10540. Docket 98-NM-165-AD.

Applicability: Model Hawker 800XP series airplanes and Hawker

800 (U-125A military derivative) airplanes, as listed in Raytheon

Service Bulletin SB.26-3197, dated April 1998; 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 request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of

this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of

the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition

addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been

eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to

address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent obstructions of the discharge tubes of the fire

extinguisher assemblies, which could result in improper distribution

of the fire extinguishing agent within the nacelle in the event of a

fire, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 25 days after the effective date of this AD,

accomplish paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), and (a)(4) of this AD,

in accordance with Raytheon Service Bulletin SB.26-3197, dated April

1998.

(1) Remove the sealant from the firewall mounting flanges and

mounting points of the fire extinguisher assemblies;

(2) Remove all sealant obstructing the discharge tubes of the

fire extinguisher assemblies;

(3) Clean and flush the mounting flanges, mounting points, and

discharge tubes with solvent; and

(4) Install new gaskets on the firewall mounting flanges and

mounting points.

(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

Secs. 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 actions shall be done in accordance with Raytheon

Service Bulletin SB.26-3197, dated April 1998. 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 Raytheon Aircraft Company, Manager Service

Engineering, Hawker Customer Support 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 June 8, 1998.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 15, 1998.

John J. Hickey,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 98-13684 Filed 5-21-98; 8:45 am]

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