AD 2014-21-06

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

We estimate that this AD affects 735 airplanes of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

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.

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.

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.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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