AD 95-14-02

This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 91-24-15, which currently requires modifying the instrument air plumbing system on Beech Aircraft Corporation (Beech) Models 1900 and 1900C airplanes. This action requires an additional modification to the plumbing of the instrument air system on the Models 1900 and 1900C airplanes, and adds the Model 1900D airplanes to the applicability. Eight reports of moisture freezing in this system on airplanes with the modification required by AD 91-24-15 incorporated prompted this action. In addition, recent testing on the Model 1900D indicates that the design of the instrument air system on these airplanes is also conducive to moisture freeze-ups. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent ice formation in the plumbing of the instrument air system, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in aerodynamic problems and subsequent loss of control of the airplane.

Final rule

95-14-02 BEECH AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: Amendment 39-9294; Docket No. 94-CE-31-AD. Supersedes AD 91-24-15, Amendment 39-8173.

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 (C12J)
UD-1 through UD-6
1900D
UE-2 through UE-115

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 use the authority provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to addressthe unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

Compliance: Required within the next 1,000 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent ice formation in the plumbing of the instrument air system, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in aerodynamic problems and subsequent loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Modify the plumbing of the instrument air system in accordance with the instructions provided with the following kits, as applicable:

Models
Kit Number
1900 and 1900C
118-9003-1 or 118-9003-3
1900D
129-9010-1 or 129-9010-3

NOTE 2: Beech Service Bulletin (SB) No. 2539 and Beech SB No. 2591, both dated December 1994, reference the kits specified above.

NOTE 3: Beech will provide parts free of charge to the owner/operator until December 31, 1995.

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

(d) The modifications required by this AD shall be done in accordance with the instructions provided with either Beech Kit No. 118-9003-1, No. 118-9003-3, No. 129-9010-1 or 129-9010-3, as applicable, and as specified in Beech Service Bulletin No. 2539 and Beech Service Bulletin No. 2591, both dated December 1994. 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 Beech Aircraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 7th Floor, suite 700, Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment (39-9294) supersedes AD 91-24-15, Amendment 39-8173.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 31, 1995.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Beech Models 1900, 1900C, and 1900D airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 10, 1995 (60 FR 7919). The action proposed to supersede AD 91-24-15, Amendment 39-8173, with a new AD that would require modifying the plumbing of the instrument air system. Accomplishment of the proposed action would in accordance with the instructions provided with the following kits, as applicable:

Models
Kit Number
1900 and 1900C
118-9003-1 or 118-9003-3
1900D
129-9010-1 or 129-9010-3

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the one comment received on the proposal.

The commenter states that no benefit would be derived by issuing the AD and that the action is for the sake of change making general aviation more costlyand burdensome without any significant safety improvements. The FAA does not concur. As specified in the proposal, the FAA has received eight reports of moisture freezing in the plumbing of the instrument air system on Models 1900 and 1900C airplanes, and recent testing on the Beech Model 1900D indicates that the design of the instrument air systems on these airplanes is also conducive to moisture freeze-ups. The FAA has determined that installation of the applicable kit on an affected airplane will maintain the air temperatures in the instrument air system at 50 degrees or higher, and help eliminate the possibility of moisture freezing in this system in cold humid environments. The AD is unchanged as a result of the comment.

After careful review of all available information related to this issue including the comment 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.

The FAA estimates that 370 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 30 workhours per airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $505 to $2,261 depending on the airplane model. Based on these figures (using a $2,261 part cost for all affected airplanes), the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,502,570. This figure is based upon the assumption that no affected airplane owner/operator has accomplished the required modification.

Beech will provide parts free of charge until December 31, 1995. If all owners/operators incorporate this modification by that date, then the cost impact of this AD upon the public would be reduced by $836,570(370 airplanes X $2,261) from $1,502,570 to $666,000.

In addition, Beech has informed the FAA that it has distributed approximately 18 kits. Assuming that each of these distributed kits is incorporated on one of the affected airplanes and that each of the remaining airplanes would have one of the kits incorporated by December 31, 1995, the cost of this AD would be further reduced by $32,400 (30 workhours X $60 X 18 airplanes) from $666,000 to $633,600.

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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Section 39.13 - [AMENDED]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing AD 91-24-15, Amendment 39-8173, and adding a new AD to read as follows: