(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the following
airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any
category:
MODEL SERIAL NOS.
(1) 65-90, 65-A90, B90, C90, LJ-1 through LJ-1530.
and C90A
(2) 65-A90-1 (U-21A) LM-1 through LM-125.
(3) 65-A90-1 (U-21G) LM-126 through LM-141.
(4) 65-A90-2 (RU-21B) LS-1 through LS-3.
(5) 65-A90-3 (RU-21C) LT-1 and LT-2.
(6) 65-A90-4 (RU-21E) LU-1 through LU-16.
(7) E90 LW-1 through LW-347.
(8) F90 LA-2 through LA-236.
(9) H90 (T-44A) LL-1 through LL-61.
(10) 99, 99A, A99A, B99, U-1 through U-239.
and C99
(11) 100 and A100 B-1 through B-94 and
B-100 through B-247.
(12) A100 (U-21F) B-95 through B-99.
(13) A100-1 (U-21J) BB-3 through BB-5.
(14) A200 (C-12A) and (C-12C) BC-1 through BC-75 and
BD-1 through BD-30.
(15) A200C (UC-12B) BJ-1 through BJ-66.
(16) A200CT (C-12D) BP-1, BP-22, and BP-24 through BP-51.
(17) A200CT (C-12F) BP-52 through BP-63.
(18) A200CT (FWC-12D) BP-7 through BP-11.
(19) A200CT (RC-12D) GR-1 through GR-12.
(20) A200CT (RC-12G) FC-1 through FC-3.
(21) A200CT (RC-12H) GR-14 through GR-19.
(22) A200CT (RC-12K) FE-1 through FE-9.
(23) A200CT (RC-12P) FE-25 through FE-31, FE-33, and FE-35.
(24) A200CT (RC-12Q) FE-32, FE-34, and FE-36.
(25) B100 BE-1 through BE-137.
(26) 200 and B200 BB-2, BB-6 through BB-1313,
BB-1315 through BB-1384, and
BB-1389 through BB-1662.
(27) 200C and B200C BL-1 through BL-72, and
BL-124 through BL-140.
(28) B200C (C-12F) BL-73 through BL-112,
BL-118 through BL-123,
and BP-64 through BP-71.
(29) B200C (C-12R) BW-1 through BW-29.
(30) B200C (UC-12F) BU-1 through BU-10.
(31) B200C (UC-12M) BV-1 through BV-10.
(32) 200CT and B200CT BN-1 through BN-4.
(33) 200T and B200T BT-1 through BT-38, and BB-1314.
(34) 300 FA-1 through FA-230, and
FF-1 through FF-19.
(35) B300 FL-1 through FL-252.
(36) B300C FM-1 through FM-9, and FN-1.
(37) 2000 NC-4 through NC-53.
(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any of the
airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must comply with this
AD.
(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by this AD
are intended to assure that clear and complete operating instructions
are visible for opening the airstair door and emergency exits.
If the operating instructions are not visible or understandable,
this could result in the inability to open the airstair door or
emergency exits during an emergency situation.
(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To address
this problem, you must accomplish the following:
ACTIONS » » »
Modify the exterior door operating procedures by incorporating
the applicable kit as specified in the service bulletin.
COMPLIANCE » » »
Within the next 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) after
March 7, 2003 (the effective date of this AD) or within
the next 12 calendar months after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs first.
PROCEDURES » » »
In accordance with the applicable kit
instructions as specified in the
Accomplishment Instructions section in
Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 52
-3096, Rev. 1, Revised: June, 2002. Use
Paragraph (7) of the Accomplishment
Instructions section in Raytheon Mandatory
Service Bulletin SB 52-3096, Rev. 1, Revised:
June, 2002, to accomplish this action on the
Model 2000 airplanes.
(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an alternative
method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of
safety; and
(2) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), approves
your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Wichita ACO.
Note: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph (a) of this
AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe
condition, specific actions you propose to address it.
(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved alternative
methods of compliance? Contact Mr. Steven E. Potter, Aerospace
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801
Airport Road, Mid -Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209;
telephone: (316) 946-4124; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.
(g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to comply with
this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under sections
21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197
and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where you can
accomplish the requirements of this AD.
(h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by reference?
Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance with
Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 52-3096, Rev. 1, Revised:
June, 2002, including Accomplishment Kit Nos. 101-4080-1, 101-4310-1,
101-4310-3, 90 -4119-1, and 99-4032-1. The Director of the
Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get copies from Raytheon
Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085;
telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140. You may view copies at
the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust,
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment becomes
effective on March 7, 2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steven E. Potter, Aerospace Engineer,
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita,
Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4124; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) 65, 90, 99, 100,
200, and 300 series, and Model 2000 airplanes. This AD requires you to
install new exterior operating instruction placards for the airstair door
and emergency exits. This AD is the result of Raytheon improving the
visibility and understandability of the door operating instruction
placards. This was done as a result of difficulty opening the emergency
exits of a similar type design airplane. The actions specified by this AD
are intended to assure that clear and complete operating instructions are
visible for opening the airstair door and emergency exits. If the
operating instructions are not visible or understandable, this could
result in the inability to open the airstair door or emergency exits
during an emergency situation.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on March 7, 2003.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of March 7,
2003.
ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD from
Raytheon Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085;
telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140. You may view this information
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-80-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington,
DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steven E. Potter, Aerospace Engineer,
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita,
Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4124; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
What events have caused this AD? FAA believes that the instructions for
opening the airstair door and emergency exits are either not visible or
not easy to understand on Raytheon 65, 90, 99, 100, 200, and 300 series,
and Model 2000 airplanes. This is based on an accident that resulted in
the issuance of AD 97-04-02. AD 97-04-02 was later superseded by AD 98-21
-20 to incorporate more visible and understandable instructions.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If the exterior door
operating instruction placards are not visible or understandable, this
could result in the inability to open the airstair door or emergency exits
during an emergency situation.
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 65, 90, 99, 100, 200, and 300 series,
and Model 2000 airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 9, 2002 (67
FR 51791). The NPRM proposed to require you to install new exterior
operating instruction placards for the airstair door and emergency exits.
Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested persons
to participate in the making of this amendment. The following presents the
comments received on the proposal and FAA's response to each comment:
Comment Issue No. 1: AD Is Unjustified
What is the commenter's concern? The commenter believes that in the
accident that resulted in the earlier ADs, the damage to the airplane
prevented the doors from opening. Therefore, the commenter believes that
if the new placards had been present in this situation, they still would
not have prevented injuries or loss of life. We infer that the commenter
wants the NPRM withdrawn based on no compelling evidence that the presence
of the placards addresses the unsafe condition.
What Is FAA's response to the concern? We do not concur. In an emergency
situation, exiting the airplane is of the utmost importance, especially if
the postcrash scenario includes a cabin fire. The cabin crew and/or
passengers may become incapacitated. Therefore, the exterior emergency
exit door operating instructions must be extremely clear and complete so
that any person will be able to open the exit door.
We are not changing the final rule AD action based on this comment.
Comment Issue No. 2: Placards Are Not Durable
What is the commenter's concern? The commenter states that the placards
supplied by Raytheon do not adhere to the airplane surface properly. The
placards often begin to peel-off either in flight or while washing the
airplane. We infer that the commenter wants the NPRM withdrawn because the
placards will eventually come off on their own.
What is FAA's response to the concern? We are aware that durability and
adherence of the placards to the airplane surface may be a problem.
However, it is not a valid reason for withdrawing the NPRM. The owners/
operators of the affected airplanes may choose to apply one or two coats
of clear coating to seal the edges of the placard.
We are not changing the final rule AD action based on this comment.
Comment Issue No. 3: Placards Degrade the Airplane's Appearance
What is the commenter's concern? The commenter states that the affected
airplanes are chiefly used in private, charter, and corporate service
where appearance is especially important to the owners/ operators. The
commenter states that the placards are out of proportion to the size of
the airplanes, look very ugly, and the contrasting colors of the placards
cause a problem because of stripe locations on the airplane's paint job.
We infer that the commenter wants the NPRM withdrawn because the placards
degrade the airplane's appearance.
What is FAA's response to the concern? We understand that appearance of
the aircraft is a key element for owners/operators. However, cosmetic
issues cannot be given higher priority than addressing the unsafe
condition and exiting the airplane in an emergency situation.
We are not changing the final rule AD action based on this comment.
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.
Cost Impact
How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD affects
3,587 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 modification:
LABOR COST PARTS COST TOTAL COST PER AIRPLANE TOTAL COST ON U.S. OPERATORS
2 workhours x Approximately $190 per airplane $120 + $190 = $310 $310 x 3,587 = $1,111,970.
$60 per hour = $120
The manufacturer will provide warranty credit for labor and parts to the
extent noted under MANPOWER and MATERIAL in Raytheon Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB 52-3096, Rev. 1, Revised: June, 2002.
Compliance Time of This AD
What is the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of this AD is
"within the next 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date
of this AD or within the next 12 months after the effective date of this
AD, whichever occurs first."
Why is the compliance time of this AD presented in both hours TIS and
calendar time? The unsafe condition on these airplanes is not a result of
the number of times the airplane is operated. Airplane operation varies
among operators. For example, one operator may operate the airplane 50
hours TIS in 3 months while it may take another operator 12 months or more
to accumulate 50 hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has determined that
the compliance time of this AD should be specified in both hours time-in
-service (TIS) and calendar time in order to assure this condition is not
allowed to go uncorrected over time.
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: