Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon Aircraft Company 65, 90, 99, 100, 200, 300, and 1900 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) 65, 90, 99, 100, 200, 300, and 1900 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to repetitively inspect the engine controls/cross shaft/pedestal for proper installation and torque, re-torque the cross shaft attach bolt, and modify the pedestal and replace the engine controls cross shaft hardware. Modification of the pedestal and replacement of the engine controls cross shaft hardware is terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements. This proposed AD is the result of numerous reports of loose bolts on the pedestal attachment of the throttle/prop cross shaft assembly. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct loose bolts not securing the pedestal cross shaft, which could result in limited effectiveness of the control levers. This failure could lead to an aborted takoff.

DATES:

We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by June 22, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed AD:

• By mail: FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2004-CE-04-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
• By fax: (816) 329-3771.
• By e-mail: 9-ACE-7-Docket@faa.gov. Comments sent electronically must contain “Docket No. 2004-CE-04-AD” in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII.

You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD from Raytheon Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140.

You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2004-CE-04-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeff Pretz, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4153; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How do I comment on this proposed AD?

We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include “AD Docket No. 2004-CE-04-AD” in the subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it. We will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back to you.

Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay attention to?

We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.

Discussion

What events have caused this proposed AD?

The FAA has received numerous reports of loose bolts not securing the pedestal cross shaft on Raytheon Models B300, C90A, and 1900 series airplanes. Investigation revealed that the bolt securing the pedestal cross shaft can loosen in time and fall out. When the bolt backs out, the cross shaft will flex with throttle or propeller control application. This flexing of the cross shaft limits the effectiveness of the control levers and the operation of the landing gear warning, prop reverse not ready, autofeather, and ground idle micro switches (on models with switches at this location).

What is the potential impact if FAA took no action?

This failure could limit the effectiveness of the engine control levers and result in an aborted takeoff due to failure to make takeoff power.

Is there service information that applies to this subject?

Raytheon has issued Service Bulletin No. SB 73-3634, dated September 2003.

What are the provisions of this service information?

The service bulletin includes procedures for:

—Performing a recurring inspection of the engine controls/cross shaft/pedestal;

—Re-torquing of the cross shaft attach bolt;

—Modifying the pedestal; and

—Replacing the engine controls cross shaft hardware.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of this Proposed AD

What has FAA decided?

We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing AD action.

What would this proposed AD require?

This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service bulletin.

How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD?

On July 10, 2002, we 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 altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. 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.

Costs of Compliance

How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact?

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 5,025 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/operators of the affected airplanes?

We estimate the following costs to accomplish this proposed inspection and re-torque of the cross attach bolt:

We estimate the following costs to do the proposed modification of the pedestal and replacement of the engine controls cross shaft hardware:

Regulatory Findings

Would this proposed AD impact various entities?

We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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.

Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action?

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed AD:

1. Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866;

2. Is not a “significant rule” under the 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.

We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include “AD Docket No. 2004-CE-04-AD” in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Safety

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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.