Discussion
What Events Have Caused This AD?
Raytheon notified FAA of an incident where the pilot had to return to the departing airport after declaring an emergency because of smoke in the cockpit. After investigation, FAA determined that the cause of smoke in the cockpit was a result of damage to the rotating beacon circuit breaker switch caused by an improper length electroluminescent panel retaining screw. The damaged circuit breaker switch failed to shutdown the electrical current to the rotating beacon. Failure of the circuit breaker switch caused the wiring to burn through the insulation and the other wires in the wire bundle that were routed with the wiring to the rotating beacon circuit breaker switch.
What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took no Action?
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the rotating beacon circuit breaker switch or any other switch in the same location. Failure of the circuit breaker switch could result in smoke and/or fire in the cockpit.
Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?
We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Raytheon Models E55, E55A, A56TC, 58, 58A, 58P, 58PA, 58TC, and 58TCA airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on January 31, 2002 (67 FR 4683). The NPRM proposed to require you to:
--Inspect the Instrument Subpanel electroluminescent panel for the installation of a rotating beacon circuit breaker switch or any other switch installed directly above the electroluminescent panel retaining screw;
--Inspect the installed switch for damage;
--Replace any damaged switch;
--Inspect the electroluminescent panel retaining screw to ensure correct length; and
--Replace any incorrect length electroluminescent panel retaining screw with a part number (P/N) MS35214-24 screw.
Was the Public Invited To Comment?
The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of the cost to the public.
FAA's Determination
What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?
After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
--do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.
What Are the Differences Between This AD and the Service Information?
Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 33-3452, Issued: May, 2001, is applicable to Models E55, A56TC, 58, 58P, and 58TC airplanes. Wehave expanded the applicability of this AD to include Models E55A, 58A, 58PA, and 58TCA airplanes. The serial number ranges of the affected models indicated in the service information include these models as indicated on Type Certificate Data Sheet 3A16, dated January 15, 2000.
Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 33-3452, Issued: May, 2001, specifies that you accomplish the inspection within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 10 days after the effective date of the AD. We require that you inspect within 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.
We do not have justification to require this action within 25 hours TIS. We use compliance times such as this when we have identified an urgent safety of flight situation. We believe that 100 hours TIS will give the owners or operators of the affected airplanes enough time to have the actions accomplished without compromising the safety of the airplanes.
Cost Impact
How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?
We estimate that this AD affects 1,636 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected Airplanes?
We estimate the following costs to accomplish the inspection:
Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per airplane
Total cost on
U.S. operators
1 workhour x $60 per hour = $60
No parts required for the inspection.
$60
$98,160
We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary replacements that will be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need such replacements:
Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per airplane
3 workhours x $60 per hour = $180.
$1 for a new electroluminescent panel retaining screw.
$40 for a new circuit breaker switch.
$180 + applicable replacement part(s) cost.
Regulatory Impact
Does This AD Impact Various Entities?
The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct effect 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, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?
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, under 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows: