AD 99-05-13

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 33, 35, 36/A36, A36TC/B36TC, 45, 50, 55, 56, 58, 58P, 58TC, 60, 65, 70, 76, 77, 80, 88, and 95 series airplanes. This AD requires installing a placard on the fuel tank selector to warn of the no-flow condition that exists between the fuel tank detents. This AD is the result of reports of engine stoppage on the affected airplanes where the cause was considered to be incorrect positioning of the fuel selector. The actions specified by this AD are intended to help prevent a lack of fuel flow to the engine caused by incorrect positioning of the fuel selector, which could result in loss of engine power.

Final rule

99-05-13 RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY (All type certificates of the affected airplanes previously held by the Beech Aircraft Corporation): Amendment 39-11061; Docket No. 98-CE-61-AD.

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

Model
Serial Number
B17L
all serial numbers
SB17L
all serial numbers
B17B
all serial numbers
B17R (Army UC-43H)
all serial numbers
C17L (Army UC-43J)
all serial numbers
SC17L
all serial numbers
C17B (Army UC-43G)
all serial numbers
SC17B
all serial numbers
C17R (Army UC-43E)
all serial numbers
SC17R
all serial numbers
D17A (Army UC-43F)
all serial numbers
D17R (Army UC-43A)
all serial numbers
D17S (Army UC-43, UC-43B, Navy GB-1, GB-2)
all serial numbers
SD17S
all serial numbers
E17B (Army UC-43D)
all serial numbers
SE17B
all serial numbers
E17L
all serial numbers
F17D (UC-43C)
all serial numbers
SF17D
all serial numbers
G17S
all serial numbers
D18S
all serial numbers
E18S
all serial numbers
E18S-9700
all serial numbers
G18S
all serial numbers
G18S-9150
all serial numbers
H18
all serial numbers
A23-19
all serial numbers
19A
all serial numbers
M19A
all serial numbers
B19
all serial numbers
23
all serial numbers
A23
all serial numbers
A23A
all serial numbers
B23
all serial numbers
C23
all serial numbers
A23-24
all serial numbers
A24
all serial numbers
A24R
all serial numbers
B24R
all serial numbers
C24R
all serial numbers
F33A
CE-290 through CE-1791
E33C and F33C
CJ-26 through CJ-179
35
all serial numbers
35R
all serial numbers
A35
all serial numbers
B35
all serial numbers
C35
all serial numbers
D35
all serial numbers
E35
all serial numbers
F35
all serial numbers
G35
all serial numbers
H35
all serial numbers
J35
all serial numbers
K35
all serial numbers
M35
all serial numbers
N35
all serial numbers
P35
all serial numbers
S35
all serial numbers
V35
all serial numbersV35TC
all serial numbers
V35A
all serial numbers
V35A-TC
all serial numbers
V35B
all serial numbers
V35B-TC
all serial numbers
36
all serial numbers
A36
E-185 through E-3046
A36TC
all serial numbers
B36TC
EA-242 through EA-591
45
all serial numbers
A45
all serial numbers
D45
all serial numbers
50
all serial numbers
B50
all serial numbers
C50
all serial numbers
D50
all serial numbers
D50A
all serial numbers
D50B
all serial numbers
D50C
all serial numbers
D50E
all serial numbers
E50
all serial numbers
F50
all serial numbers
G50
all serial numbers
H50
all serial numbers
J50
all serial numbers
95-55
all serial numbers
95-A55
all serial numbers
95-B55
all serial numbers
95-C55
all serial numbers
D55
all serial numbers
E55
all serial numbers
56TC
all serial numbers
A56TC
all serial numbers
58
TH-1 through TH-1798
58P
all serial numbers
58TC
all serial numbers
60
all serial numbers
A60
all serial numbers
B60
all serial numbers
65
all serial numbers
A65
all serial numbers
A65-8200
all serial numbers
70
all serial numbers
76
all serial numbers
77
all serial numbers
65-80
all serial numbers
65-A80
all serial numbers
65-B80
all serial numbers
65-88
all serial numbers
95
all serial numbers
B95
all serial numbers
B95A
all serial numbers
D95A
all serial numbers
E95
all serial numbers

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: Required within the next 75 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent a lack of fuel flow to the engine caused by incorrect positioning of the fuel selector, which could result in loss of engine power, accomplish the following:

(a) Install a placard, part number 36-920059-1, on the fuel tank selector to warn of the no-flow condition that exists between the fuel tank detents. Accomplish this installation in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2670, Revision No. 1, dated May, 1998.

(b) Installing the placard, as specified in paragraph (a) of this AD, may be performed by the owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).

(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 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 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 installation required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2670, Revision No. 1, dated May, 1998. 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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on April 19, 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 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 33, 35, 36/A36, A36TC/B36TC, 45, 50, 55, 56, 58, 58P, 58TC, 60, 65, 70, 76, 77, 80, 88, and 95 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on October 9, 1998 (63 FR 54399). The NPRM proposed to require installing a placard, part number 36-920059-1, on the fuel tank selector to warn of the no-flow condition that exists between the fuel tank detents. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 2670, Revision No. 1, dated May, 1998.

The NPRM was the result of reports of engine stoppage on the affected airplanes where the cause was considered to be incorrect positioning of the fuel selector.

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 15,200 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD. The placard that will be required for this AD may be obtained through a Raytheon Aircraft Authorized Service Center at no cost to the owners/operators of the affected airplanes. Since an owner/operator who holds at least a private pilot s certificate as authorized by sections 43.7 and 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7 and 43.9) may accomplish this placard installation, the only cost impact upon the public will be the approximate 30 minutes it will take each owner/operator to install the placard.

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 significanteconomic 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: