AD 94-01-01

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Beech Aircraft Corporation (Beech ) Models B300 and B300C airplanes that do not have all cabin seats modified through the incorporation of Beech Kit No. 303-307. This action requires inspecting the cabin seat frames for cracks, repairing any cracks, and modifying the cabin seat frames by incorporating the kit referenced above. Inspection of affected in-service airplanes reveals cracking of these cabin seats around the welded-in bushings. The bearing shafts, which retain the seat frame and belted occupant, are bolted to the frame through these bushings. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent separation of the seat from its base caused by cracks around the welded-in bushings, which, in the event of an accident, could result in occupant injury.

Final rule

94-01-01 BEECH AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: Amendment 39-8782; Docket No. 93-CE-43-AD.

Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes, certificated in any category, that do not have all nine (9) cabin seats modified through the incorporation of Beech Kit No. 303-307:

Model
Serial Numbers
B300
FL-1 through FL-76.
B300C
FM-1, FM-2, and FM-3.

NOTE 1: Beech Service Bulletin (SB) 2443 and Tosington Enterprises Inc. (Tosington) SB No. 001, both dated July 1993, specify procedures for determining whether Beech Kit No. 303-307 is installed on a cabin seat frame.

Compliance: Required within the next 150 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent separation of the seat from its base caused by cracks around the welded-in bushings, which, in the event of an accident, could result in occupant injury, accomplish the following:

(a) Inspect each cabin seat for cracks in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of either Beech SB 2443 or Tosington SB No. 001, both dated July 1993, as applicable. If any crack is found, prior to further flight, repair the crack in accordance with the applicable service bulletin referenced above.

NOTE 2: Each cabin seat has a placard on the lower seat frame that specifies whether the seat is manufactured by Gordon-Piatt Energy Group (Beech SB No. 2443) or Tosington Enterprises Inc. (Tosington SB No. 001).

(b) Modify the cabin seat frames by incorporating Beech Kit No. 303-307 in accordance with the actions specified in the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of either Beech SB-2443 or Tosington SB No. 001, both dated July 1993, as applicable.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 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 time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office ACO), FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.

NOTE 3: 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 and modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with either Beech Service Bulletin 2443 or Tosington Service Bulletin No. 001, both dated July 1993, as applicable. 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, or Tosington Enterprises Inc., 2261 Madera Road, Simi Valley, California 93065. Copies maybe 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., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(f) This amendment (39-8782) becomes effective on February 11, 1994.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations to include an AD that would apply to certain Beech Models B300 and B300C airplanes that do not have all cabin seats modified through the incorporation of Beech Kit 303-307 was published in the Federal Register on September 10, 1993 (58 FR 47678). The action proposed to require inspecting the cabin seat frames for cracks, repairing any cracks, and modifying the cabin seat frames by incorporating Beech Kit No. 303-307. The proposed actions would be accomplished in accordance with either Beech SB No. 2443 or Tosington SB No. 001, both dated July 1993, as applicable.

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.

After careful review, 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 nor add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

The FAA estimates that 79 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be affected by this AD, that it would take approximately 45 workhours per airplane (5 hours per seat X 9 seats per airplane) to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor rate is approximately $55 an hour. Parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the airplane operator. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $195,525. This figure is based on the assumption that none of the affected airplanes operators have accomplished the required action.

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 14 CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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 adding the following new AD: