Discussion
What Events Have Caused This AD?
The FAA has received reports that during manufacturing, nine aft pressure bulkheads of Raytheon 90, 100, and 200 series airplanes may have been damaged by scribing or knife marks (scoring).
What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?
The damage to the aft pressure bulkhead may cause fatigue failure of the bulkhead.
Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?
We issued 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 90, 100, and 200 series airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 14, 2003 (68 FR 7449). The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the forward side of the aft pressure bulkhead for scoring damage and repair, if damage is found.
Was the Public Invited to Comment?
The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making of this amendment. The following presents the comment received on the proposal and FAA's response to the comment:
Comment Issue:
AD Applicability to Model B200 Range of Serial Numbers.
What Is the Commenter's Concern?
The commenter states that there is a typographical error in the range of serial numbers for the Model B200 applicability.
What Is FAA's Response to the Concern?
We concur. The last serial number for the Model B200 applicability is incorrectly stated as BB-14443. The correct serial number is BB-1443. We will change the final rule AD action to incorporate the correct serial number.
FAA's Determination
What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?
After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.
How Does the Revision to 14 CFR Part 39 Affect This AD?
On July 10, 2002, FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes material that relates to special flight permits, alternative methods of compliance, and altered products. This material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.
Cost Impact
How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?
We estimate that this AD affects 3,223 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected Airplanes?
We estimate the following costs to accomplish the inspection of the forward sideof the aft pressure bulkhead:
Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per airplane
Total cost on U.S. operators
8 workhours x $60 per hour = $480
Not applicable
$480
$1,547,040
We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary repairs that will be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need such repair of the forward side of the aft pressure bulkhead:
Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per airplane
16 workhours x $60 per hour = $960
$25
$985
Compliance Time of This AD
What Will Be the Compliance Time of This AD?
The compliance time of this AD is within the next 6 calendar months after the effective date of this AD.
Why Is the Compliance Time Presented in Calendar Time Instead of Hours Time-in-Service (TIS)?
This unsafe condition is not a result of the number of times the airplane is operated. The chance of this situation occurring is the same for an airplane with 10 hours TIS as it would be for an airplane with 500 hours TIS. For this reason, FAA has determined that a compliance based on calendar time will be utilized in this AD in order to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed on all airplanes in a reasonable time period.
Regulatory Impact
Does This AD Impact Various Entities?
The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct effect 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, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?
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, under 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. FAA amends 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows: