AD 99-02-14

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Model 2000 airplanes (commonly referred to as Beech Model 2000 airplanes). This AD requires inspecting the stainless steel fuel line, part number (P/N) 3035737, for evidence of chafing and a minimum clearance between the fuel line and power lever bracket, P/N 122-940028-1; and replacing the fuel line and modifying the power lever bracket, as necessary. This AD is the result of chafing found on the stainless steel fuel line on several of the affected airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fuel line chafing caused by interference with the power lever bracket, which could result in fuel leakage and cause a fire in the engine compartment.

Final rule

99-02-14 RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY (Type Certificate No. A38CE formerly held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Amendment 39-11006; Docket No. 98-CE-34-AD.

Applicability: Model 2000 airplanes, serial numbers NC-4 through NC-53, certificated in any category.

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 (e) 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent fuel line chafing caused by interference with the power lever bracket, which could result in fuel leakage and cause a fire in the engine compartment, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, inspect the engine stainless steel fuel line, part number (P/N) 3035737, for evidence of chafing and a minimum clearance of .06-inch between the fuel line and power lever bracket, P/N 122-940028-1. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.28.3104, Issued: September,
1997.

(b) If chafing is evident on the fuel line, prior to further flight, replace the fuel line with a new fuel line and modify the power lever bracket in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section of Raytheon Mandatory Service BulletinSB.28.3104, Issued: September, 1997.

(c) If the clearance between the fuel line and the power lever bracket is less than .06-inch, prior to further flight, modify the power lever bracket in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.28.3104, Issued: September, 1997.

(d) 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.

(e) 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, WichitaACO.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Wichita ACO.

(f) The inspection, replacement, and modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.28.3104, Issued: September, 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 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.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on March 5, 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 2000 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 2, 1998 (63 FR 46711). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the stainless steel fuel line, part number (P/N) 3035737, for evidence of chafing and a minimum clearance between the fuel line and power lever bracket, P/N 122-940028-1; and replacing the fuel line and modifying the power lever bracket, as necessary. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB.28-3104, Issued: September, 1997.

The NPRM was the result of chafing found on the stainless steel fuel line on several of the affected airplanes.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in themaking 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 49 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per airplane to accomplish this action and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $465 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $34,545, or $705 per airplane.

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: