AD 97-15-13 R2 ACTIVE

This amendment revises Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-15-13 R1, which currently requires installing lubrication fittings in the airstair door handle and latch housing mechanisms on certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Beech Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes. Since issuance of AD 97-15-13 R1, Raytheon has revised the applicable service information to correct the reference to the number of parts each owner/operator of the affected airplanes should order and to change an incorrect reference to a maintenance manual. This AD retains the actions of AD 97-15-13 R1, and incorporates the revised service bulletin into the AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to continue to prevent moisture from accumulating and freezing in the airstair door handle and latch housing, which could result in the door freezing shut and passengers not being able to evacuate the airplane in an emergency situation.

Final rule

97-15-13 R2 RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY (Type Certificate No. A24CE formerly held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Amendment 39-11129; Docket No. 96-CE-60-AD; Revises AD 97-15-13 R1, Amendment 39-10131.

Applicability: The following Beech airplane models and serial numbers, certificated in any category:

Model
Serial Numbers
1900
UA-1 through UA-3
1900C
UB-1 through UB-74, and UC-1 through UC-174
1900C (C-12J)
UD-1 through UD-6
1900D
UE-1 through UE-157

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 assessmentof 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 200 hours time-in-service after September 27, 1997 (the effective date of AD 97-15-13 R1), unless already accomplished.

To prevent moisture from accumulating and freezing in the airstair door handle and latch housing, which could result in the door freezing shut and passengers not being able to evacuate the airplane in an emergency situation, accomplish the following:

(a) Install lubrication fittings in the airstair door handle and latch housing mechanisms in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of either:

(1) Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2572, Issued: July, 1996; or

(2) Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.2572, Issued: July, 1996; Revision No. 1, May, 1998.

NOTE 2: Only Part II of the Accomplishment Instructions section of the service information referenced above applies to the affected Beech Model 1900D airplanes.

(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.

(1) The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.

(2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance with AD 97-15-13 R1 are considered approved as alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

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 Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2572, Issued: July, 1996; or Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.2572, Issued: July, 1996; Revision No. 1, May, 1998.

(1) The incorporation by reference of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.2572, Issued: July, 1996; Revision No. 1, May, 1998, was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) The incorporation by reference of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2572, Issued: July, 1996, was previously approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of September 22, 1997 (62 FR 49426).

(3) Copies of the service bulletins may be obtained from the Raytheon Aircraft Company, 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 revises AD 97-15-13 R1, Amendment 39-10131.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on May 28, 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 Beech Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on October 9, 1998 (63 FR 54393). The NPRM proposed to revise AD 97-15-13 R1, Amendment 39-10131 (62 FR 49426, September 22, 1997), by incorporating updated service information into the AD. AD 97-15-13 R1 currently requires installing lubrication fittings in the airstair door handle and latch housing mechanisms on certain Raytheon Beech Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes.

Accomplishment of the actions of AD 97-15-13 R1 is required in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2572, Issued: July, 1996.

Accomplishment of the proposed installations would be required in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2572,Issued: July, 1996; or Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.2572, Issued: July, 1996; Revision No. 1, May, 1998.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. One comment was received in favor of the NPRM and no comments were received on 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 408 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 14 workhours per airplane to accomplish the installation, and thatthe average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $50 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $363,120, or $890 per airplane. This figure is based on the presumption that no owner/operator of the affected airplanes has accomplished the required installation.

This AD requires the same actions as AD 97-15-13 R1. The only difference is reference to Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.2572, Issued: July, 1996; Revision No. 1, May, 1998. Therefore, this AD imposes no additional cost impact upon U.S. owners/operators of the affected airplanes than is already required by AD 97-15-13 R1. 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 withExecutive 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 delegatedto 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-15-13 R1, Amendment 39-10131, and by adding a new AD to read as follows:

Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from the Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-CE-60-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

Mr. Steven E. Potter, Aerospace Safety Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4124; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.