Discussion
What events have caused this AD? The FAA has received a report that certain Raytheon elevator assemblies did not receive a 250-degree Fahrenheit bake operation after corrosion treatment as defined in the manufacturing specification.
The elevator assemblies in question were manufactured between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 1999, and could be installed on the following Raytheon Model Beech airplanes:
Model
Serial Numbers
A65
LC-265 through LC-272 and LC-325 through LC-335
A65-8200
LC-273 through LC-324
65-B80
LD-349 through LD-511
70
LB-1 through LB-35
95-A55
TC-191 through TC-349, TC-351 through TC-370, and TC-372 through TC-501
95-B55
TC-371 and TC-502 through TC-2406
95-C55
TC-350, TE-1 through TE-49, and TE-51 through TE-451
D55
TE-452 through TE-767
E55
TE-768 through TE-1201
56TC
TG-2 through TG-83
A56TC
TG-84 through TG-94
58
TH-1 through TH-1930
58P
TJ-3 through TJ-435 and TJ-437 through TJ-443
58TC
TK-1 through TK-150
95-B55B (T42-A)
TF-1 through TF-70
The omission of this bake operation affects the strength of the adhesive bond. This could cause the skin to separate from the elevator assembly.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? Continued airplane operation after elevator skin separation would result in reduced static strength capability. This could then result in potential airplane flutter with consequent loss of control of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Is there service information that applies to this subject? Raytheon has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3396, Rev. 1, Revised: June, 2000.
What are the provisions of this service bulletin? This service bulletin includes procedures for:
- determining whether one of the affected elevator assemblies is installed;
- accomplishing a tap test to determine the elevator skin bond integrity; and
- replacing any elevator assembly that Raytheon delivered between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 1999.
The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of the AD
What has FAA decided? After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available information related to the incidents described above, including the relevant service information, FAA has determined that:
- an unsafe condition exists or could develop on certain Raytheon Models A65, A65-8200, 65-B80, 70, 95-A55, 95-B55, 95-C55, D55, E55, 56TC, A56TC, 58, 58P, 58TC, and 95-B55B (T42A) airplanes of the same type design;
- the actions and procedures in the previously referenced service bulletin should be incorporated on these airplanes; and
- AD action should be taken in order to detect and correct potential elevator skin separation, which would lead to a reduction in static strength capability with continued operation. This could then result in potential airplane flutter with consequent loss of control of the airplane.
What does thisAD require? This AD requires replacement of certain elevator skin assemblies that Raytheon shipped from January 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999, and prevents the future installation of these elevator skin assemblies. This AD authorizes the pilot to check the logbooks to determine whether one of these elevator skin assemblies is installed.
Will I have the opportunity to comment prior to the issuance of the rule? Because the unsafe condition described in this document could result in airplane flutter with consequent loss of control of the airplane, FAA finds that notice and opportunity for public prior comment are impracticable. Therefore, good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
How do I comment on this AD? Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, we invite your comments on the rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or argumentsyou choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and submit your comments in triplicate to the address specified under the caption "ADDRESSES." We will consider all comments received on or before the closing date specified above. We may amend this rule in light of comments received. Factual information that supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking action.
Are there any specific portions of the AD I should pay attention to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may examine all comments we receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each FAA contact with the public that concerns the substantive parts of this AD.
The FAAis reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of June 1, 1998. That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate more clearly with the public. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of this document is clearer, and any other suggestions you might have to improve the clarity of FAA communications that affect you. You can get more information about the Presidential memorandum and the plain language initiative at http://www.plainlanguage.gov.
How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want us to acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write "Comments to Docket No. 2000-CE-53-AD." We will date stamp and mail the postcard back to you.
Regulatory Impact
Does this AD impact relations between Federal and State governments? These regulations 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, FAA has determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft, and 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 (otherwise, an evaluation is not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket.
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.
39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: