AD 99-16-12

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Model Beech 1900D airplanes that are equipped with the electric elevator trim option. This AD requires installing electric elevator trim servo covers. This AD is the result of reports of the affected airplanes leaving the factory without electric elevator trim servo covers installed. If the covers are not installed, moisture could freeze on parts of the electric actuator. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the electric elevator trim and difficulty operating the manual elevator trim caused by moisture freezing on parts of the electric actuator installation, which would result in the pilot having to apply constant pressure to the control wheel during flight.

Final rule

99-16-12 RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY (Type Certificate No. A24CE formerly held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Amendment 39-11247; Docket No. 98-CE-123-AD; Issued July 29, 1999.

Applicability: Model Beech 1900D airplanes, serial numbers UE-1 through UE-246, certificated in any category, that incorporate the electric elevator trim option.

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 (c) 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 within the next 600 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent failure of the electric elevator trim and difficulty operating the manual elevator trim caused by moisture freezing on parts of the electric actuator installation, which would result in the pilot having to apply constant pressure to the control wheel during flight, accomplish the following:

(a) Install electric elevator trim servo covers in accordance with the instructions in Kit No. 129-5035-1, as referenced in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3080, Issued: October, 1998, and Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3080, Revision 1, Issued: December, 1998.

NOTE 2: The compliance time of this AD takes precedence over the compliance time specified in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3080, Revision 1, Issued: December, 1998.

(b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 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.

(d) The installation required by this AD shall be done in accordance with the instructions in Kit No. 129-5035-1, as referenced in Raytheon MandatoryService Bulletin SB 27-3080, Issued: October, 1998, and Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3080, Revision 1, Issued: December, 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 the Raytheon Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 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.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on September 27, 1999.

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
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 Model Beech 1900D airplanes that are equipped with the electric elevator trim option was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 3, 1999 (64 FR 10237). The NPRM proposed to require installing electric elevator trim servo covers. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be required in accordance with the instructions to Raytheon Kit No. 129-5035-1, as referenced in Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3080, Issued: October, 1998, and Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 27-3080, Revision 1, Issued: December, 1998.

The NPRM was the result of reports of the affected airplanes leaving the factory without electric elevator trim servo covers installed. If the covers are not installed, moisture couldfreeze on parts of the electric actuator.

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.

The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, 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 and will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 205 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 workhours per airplane to accomplish the installation, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Raytheon will provide parts free of charge under warranty credit. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to $61,500.

Raytheon will also give warranty credit for labor until October 31, 1999.

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.

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 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: