DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0345; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-230-AD;
Amendment 39-17998; AD 2014-21-06]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Beechcraft Corporation (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon
Aircraft Company; Beech Aircraft Corporation) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Beechcraft Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Hawker
Beechcraft Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech Aircraft
Corporation) Model 400, 400A, 400T, and MU-300 airplanes. This AD was
prompted by a report of a failure of the Acme nut threads in a pitch
trim actuator (PTA). This AD requires an inspection to determine if
PTAs having a certain serial number and part number are installed, and
replacement if they are installed. This AD also requires repetitive
replacements of PTAs with new PTAs or certain overhauled PTAs. We are
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the Acme nut threads in the PTA,
which could lead to loss of control of pitch trim and reduced
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective November 28, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 28,
2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Beechcraft Corporation, TMDC, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, KS 67201-0085;
telephone 316-676-8238; fax 316-671-2540; email tmdc@beechcraft.com;
Internet http://pubs.beechcraft.com. You may view this referenced
service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0345; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Johnson, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent
Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4105; fax: 316-946-4107;
email: Ann.Johnson@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Beechcraft
Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Hawker Beechcraft
Corporation; Raytheon Aircraft Company; Beech Aircraft Corporation)
Model 400, 400A, 400T, and MU-300 airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on June 30, 2014 (79 FR 36675). The NPRM was prompted
by a report of a failure of the Acme nut threads in a PTA. The NPRM
proposed to require an inspection to determine if PTAs having a certain
serial number and part number are installed, and replacement if they
are installed. The NPRM also proposed to require repetitive
replacements of PTAs with new PTAs or certain overhauled PTAs. We are
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the Acme nut threads in the PTA,
which could lead to loss of control of pitch trim and reduced
controllability of the airplane.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 36675, June 30,
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (79 FR 36675, June 30, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 36675, June 30, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 735 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

According to the manufacturer, the costs of this AD associated with
Hawker Beechcraft Service Bulletin SB 27-4100, dated March 2012, may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
owners/operators. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate. The costs of the repetitive replacement are not covered under
warranty. However, the PTA manufacturer states that it is already
replacing the Acme nut and jackscrew at every overhaul, so the owners/
operators should not see a cost increase due to this repetitive
replacement requirement.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.

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 FAA amends 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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):