AD 99-04-08

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the main landing gear hydraulic actuators to determine whether a certain Frisby Aerospace actuator is installed, and reworking or replacing any of these Frisby Aerospace actuators. This AD is the result of reports of fatigue cracks in the end cap of main landing gear hydraulic actuators manufactured by Frisby Aerospace and installed on the affected airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the main landing gear from failing to lock down due to the hydraulic actuator cracking and separating, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing, taxi, or ground operations.

Final rule

99-04-08 RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY (Type Certificate No. A24CE formerly held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Amendment 39-11032; Docket No. 98-CE-66-AD.

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

Model
Serial Numbers
1900
UA-2 and 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-299

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 (d) 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: Inspection required as indicated below, unless already accomplished; and replacement or rework, if required, would be prior to further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (a) of this AD, unless already accomplished:

Hours Time-in-Service (TIS) Accumulated on
the Main Landing Gear Hydraulic Actuator
Inspection Compliance Time
Less Than 6,000 hours TIS
Upon accumulating 6,600 hours TIS on the
actuator or within the next 600 hours TIS after
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later.
6,000 hours TIS through 6,999 hours TIS
Within the next 600 hours TIS after the effective
date of this AD.
7,000 hours TIS through 7,999 hours TIS
Within the next 500 hours TIS after the effective
date of this AD.
8,000 hours TIS through 8,999 hours TIS
Within the next 400 hours TIS after the effective
date of this AD.
9,000 hours TIS through 9,999 hours TIS
Within the next 300 hours TIS after the effective
date of this AD.
10,000 Hours TIS or more
Within the next 200 Hours TIS after the effective
date of this AD.

To prevent the main landing gear from failing to lock down due to the hydraulic actuator cracking and separating, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing, taxi, or ground operations, accomplish the following:

(a) Inspect the main landing gear hydraulic actuators to determine whether any Frisby Aerospace actuator, part number (P/N) 114-380041-11 or P/N 114-380041-13, is installed. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.32-3141, Issued: January, 1998.

(b) If any Frisby Aerospace actuator, P/N 114-380041-11 or P/N 114-380041-13, is installed, prior to further flight, remove it and accomplish one of the following:

(1) Replace the Frisby Aerospace actuator with one of a part number listed in the Material Information section of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.32-3141, Issued: January, 1998. Accomplish this replacement in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual; or

(2) Rework the Frisby Aerospace actuator by incorporating the kit referenced in the Material Information section of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.32-3141, Issued: January, 1998. Accomplish this rework in accordance with Frisby Aerospace Service Bulletin 1FA10043-0001, dated October 1997.

(c) 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.

(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance times 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Wichita ACO.

(e) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.32-3141, Issued: January, 1998. The rework required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Frisby Aerospace Service Bulletin 1FA10043-0001, dated October 1997. 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 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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on March 26, 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 Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on October 16, 1998 (63 FR 55560). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the main landing gear hydraulic actuators to determine whether any Frisby Aerospace actuator, part number (P/N) 114-380041-11 or P/N 114-380041-13, is installed, and reworking or replacing any of these Frisby Aerospace actuators. Accomplishment of the proposed inspection as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.32-3141, Issued: January, 1998. Accomplishment of the proposed removal and replacement as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual. Accomplishment of the rework as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Frisby Aerospace Service Bulletin 1FA10043-0001, dated October 1997.

The NPRM was the result of reports of fatigue cracks in the end cap of main landing gear hydraulic actuators manufactured by Frisby Aerospace and installed on the affected airplanes.

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 378 airplanes in theU.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $22,680, or $60 per airplane.

If any of the affected airplanes have any of the affected Frisby Aerospace main landing gear hydraulic actuators installed, it will take approximately 5 workhours per actuator to accomplish the replacement and an additional 4 workhours per actuator to accomplish the rework. The average labor rate is approximately $60 per hour. Parts will cost $3,871 for each new actuator; $2,865 for each overhauled actuator; and $1,997 for each rework/upgrade kit. Based on these figures, the cost impact on those operators choosing the replacement of the main landing gear hydraulic actuators will be approximately $8,342 per airplane that will have two new actuators installed, or$6,330 per airplane that will have two overhauled actuators installed; and the cost impact on those operators choosing to incorporate the main landing gear hydraulic actuator rework/upgrade kit on each actuator will be approximately $5,074 per airplane. Raytheon will give warranty credit for a replacement actuator until January 2001.

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 byadding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: