The FAA has received reports of smoke and fire in the cockpit of two Beech Model 1900D airplanes. The reports indicate that a high resistance short circuit situation was created by the braid wire that is attached to the low heat power terminal block mounted on the pilot and co-pilot windshields, which led to arcing and substantial amounts of heat, causing smoke and fire in the cockpit. This condition, if not corrected, will result in a fire in the cockpit and possible loss of control of the airplane.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop in other Beech Model 1900D airplanes of the same type design, the FAA issued priority letter AD 96-15-01 to prevent smoke and fire around the forward edge of the glare shield in the cockpit and loss of control of the airplane.
The AD requires immediately pulling and banding the circuit breakers leading to the windshield heat control on both the pilot and co-pilot sides. The affected circuit breakers are the LEFT WSHLD, CONTROL and PWR circuit breakers located on the circuit breaker panel on the co-pilot s side (Zone 246) and the CO-PILOT WSHLD ANTI-ICE circuit breaker located on the aft side of the forward pressure bulkhead above the co-pilot left rudder pedal (Zone 222). This AD also requires inserting a copy of this priority letter AD into the Limitations section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), fabricating a placard that says FLIGHT IN KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS IS PROHIBITED, using letters at least 0.10-inch in height, and installing this placard within the pilot s clear view on the instrument panel. This is considered to be an interim action until final action is identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters issued on July 10, 1996 to all known U.S. owners and operators of Beech Model 1900D airplanes. These conditions still exist, and the AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective as to all persons.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factualinformation that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: "Comments to Docket No. 96-CE-41-AD." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.
The regulations adopted herein will not havesubstantial 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.
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. A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption "ADDRESSES".
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Section 39.13 - [AMENDED]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: