Airworthiness Directives; Beech Aircraft Corporation Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D Airplanes

Proposed Rules

Federal Register

________________________________________________________________________

========================================================================

Proposed Rules

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-CE-31-AD]

Airworthiness Directives; Beech Aircraft Corporation Models 1900,

1900C, and 1900D Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive

(AD) 91-24-15, which currently requires modifying the instrument air

plumbing system on Beech Aircraft Corporation (Beech) Models 1900 and

1900C airplanes. The proposed action would require an additional

modification to the plumbing of the instrument air system on the Models

1900 and 1900C airplanes, and would add the Model 1900D airplanes to

the applicability. Eight reports of moisture freezing in this system on

airplanes with the modification required by AD 91-24-15 incorporated

prompted the proposed action. In addition, recent testing on the Model

1900D indicates that the design of the instrument air system on these

airplanes is also conducive to moisture freeze-ups. The actions

specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent ice formation in

the plumbing of the instrument air system, which, if not detected and

corrected, could result in aerodynamic problems and subsequent loss of

control of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 21, 1995.

the address specified above. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments,

specified above, will be considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in

light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

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

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

to Docket No. 94-CE-31-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request

to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-CE-31-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,

Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

AD 91-24-15, Amendment 39-8173 (57 FR 3927, February 3, 1992),

currently requires modifying the plumbing of the instrument air system

on Beech Models 1900 and 1900C airplanes. Several reports of moisture

freezing in the plumbing of the instrument air system on the affected

airplanes prompted that AD.

Since issuance of AD 91-24-15, the FAA has received eight reports

of moisture freezing in the plumbing of the instrument air system on

airplanes in compliance with that AD. In addition, recent testing on

the Beech Model 1900D indicates that the design of the instrument air

systems on these airplanes is also conducive to moisture freeze-ups

r system on the affected

airplanes prompted that AD.

Since issuance of AD 91-24-15, the FAA has received eight reports

of moisture freezing in the plumbing of the instrument air system on

airplanes in compliance with that AD. In addition, recent testing on

the Beech Model 1900D indicates that the design of the instrument air

systems on these airplanes is also conducive to moisture freeze-ups.

Beech has developed kits that, upon installation, make plumbing

changes in the instrument air system, add additional insulation, and

make wing leading edge core modifications. Installation of the

applicable kit on an affected airplane will maintain the air

temperatures in the instrument air system at 50 degrees or higher, and

help eliminate the possibility of moisture freezing in this system in

cold humid environments. The following presents each kit and the

applicable airplane model each kit applies to:

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

Models Kit No.

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

1900 and 1900C....................... 118-9003-1 or 118-9003-3.

1900D................................ 129-9010-1 or 129-9010-3.

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

After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available

information related to the incidents described above, the FAA has

determined that AD action should be taken to prevent ice formation in

the plumbing of the instrument air system, which, if not detected and

corrected, could result in aerodynamic problems and subsequent loss of

control of the airplane

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

After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available

information related to the incidents described above, the FAA has

determined that AD action should be taken to prevent ice formation in

the plumbing of the instrument air system, which, if not detected and

corrected, could result in aerodynamic problems and subsequent loss of

control of the airplane.

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

exist or develop in other Beech Model 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes

of the same type design, the proposed AD would supersede AD 91-24-15,

Amendment 39-8173, with a new AD that would require modifying the

plumbing of the instrument air system in accordance with

the instructions provided with the kits specified above.

The FAA estimates that 370 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be

affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 30

workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the

average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. The cost of the

applicable kit ranges from $505 to $2,261 depending on the airplane

model. Based on these figures (using a $2,261 part cost for all

affected airplanes), the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $1,502,570.

Beech will provide parts free of charge until December 31, 1995. If

all owners/operators would incorporate this modification by that date,

then the cost impact of the proposed AD upon the public would be

reduced by $836,570 (370 airplanes x $2,261) from $1,502,570 to

$666,000.

In addition, Beech has informed the FAA that it has distributed

approximately 18 kits. Assuming that each of these distributed kits is

incorporated on one of the affected airplanes and that each of the

remaining airplanes would have one of the kits incorporated by December

31, 1995, the cost of the proposed AD would be further reduced by

$32,400 (30 workhours x $60 x 18 airplanes) from $666,000 to

$633,600

ech has informed the FAA that it has distributed

approximately 18 kits. Assuming that each of these distributed kits is

incorporated on one of the affected airplanes and that each of the

remaining airplanes would have one of the kits incorporated by December

31, 1995, the cost of the proposed AD would be further reduced by

$32,400 (30 workhours x $60 x 18 airplanes) from $666,000 to

$633,600.

The regulations proposed herein would 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

proposal would 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) if promulgated,

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 draft regulatory evaluation

prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend

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.

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend

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 removing AD 91-24-15, Amendment 39-

8173 (57 FR 3927, February 3, 1992), and by adding a new airworthiness

directive to read as follows:

Beech Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. 94-CE-31-AD; Supersedes AD

91-24-15, Amendment 39-8173.

Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers,

certificated in any category:

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

Model Serial No.

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

1900............................. UA-2 and UA-3.

1900C............................ UB-1 through UB-74 and UC-1 through

UC-174.

1900C (C12J)..................... UD-1 through UD-6.

1900D............................ UE-2 through UE-115.

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

Compliance: Required within the next 1,000 hours time-in-service

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

To prevent ice formation in the plumbing of the instrument air

system, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in

aerodynamic problems and subsequent loss of control of the airplane,

accomplish the following:

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

Compliance: Required within the next 1,000 hours time-in-service

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

To prevent ice formation in the plumbing of the instrument air

system, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in

aerodynamic problems and subsequent loss of control of the airplane,

accomplish the following:

(a) Modify the plumbing of the instrument air system in

accordance with the instructions provided with the following kits,

as applicable:

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

Models Kit No.

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

1900 and 1900C................... 118-9003-1 or 118-9003-3.

1900D............................ 129-9010-1 or 129-9010-3.

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

Note 1: Beech Service Bulletin (SB) No. 2539 and Beech SB No.

2591, both dated December 1994, reference the kits specified above.

Note 2: Beech will provide parts free of charge to the owner/

operator until December 31, 1995.

(b) 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.

(c) 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),

1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas

67209. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA

Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 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.

tion Office (ACO),

1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas

67209. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA

Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 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.

(d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of

the document referred to herein upon request to the Beech Aircraft

Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; or may examine

this document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant

Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri

64106.

(e) This amendment supersedes AD 91-24-15, Amendment 39-8173.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 6, 1995.

Michael K. Dahl,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 95-3359 Filed 2-9-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-U