2000-20-14: Firewall Sealant

2000-20-14 RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY: Amendment 39-11925; Docket No. 2000-CE-15-AD. (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the following airplanes, certificated in any category: Beech Model A36 serial numbers E-3113 through E-3231 E-3233 through E-3263 E-3265 through E-3267 E-3269, E-3271, E-3273, and E-3277 Beech Model B36TC serial numbers EA-594 through EA-644 (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any of the above airplanes on the U.S. Register must comply with this AD. (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by this AD are intended to correct the lack of a firewall seal and consequent progression of fire and smoke through the firewall panel into the flight compartment or cabin in the event of an engine compartment fire. (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To address this problem, you must accomplish the following actions: Actions Compliance TimeProcedures (1) Inspect for sealant between the faying surfaces of the part number (P/N) 109-361023-13 tube assembly fitting and the P/N 36-430054-69 upper firewall panel. (i) If sealant is present, no further action is necessary. (ii) If sealant is not present, apply sealant to the tube assembly and the upper firewall panel. Inspection required within 50 hours time-in-service after November 28, 2000 (the effective date of this AD), and sealant application required before further flight after the inspection. Accomplish all actions in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Raytheon Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 53-3375, Issued: December 1999. (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? You can 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. (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 No. SB 53-3375, dated December 1999. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get copies from Raytheon Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140; on the Internet at <http://www.raytheon.com/rac/servinfo/53-3375.pdf>. This file is in Adobe Portable Document Format. The Acrobat Reader is available at <http://www.adobe.com/>. You can look at 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 20001. (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment becomes effective on November 28, 2000.