FR Doc 05-7674

[Federal Register: April 18, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 73)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 20083-20085]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18ap05-14]

[[Page 20083]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20970; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-53-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Model 500, 501, 550, S550, 551,
and 560 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Cessna Model 500, 501, 550, S550, 551, and 560 airplanes.
This proposed AD would require revising the airplane flight manual
(AFM) to prohibit use of the wing fuel boost pumps for defueling under
certain conditions; installing a placard; doing other specified
investigative and corrective actions as necessary; and modifying the
boost pumps. This proposed AD also would require the subsequent removal
of the AFM revision and placard. This proposed AD is prompted by a
report of a chafed electrical wiring harness, which was arcing inside
the fuel tank. We are proposing this AD to prevent potential fuel vapor
ignition in a fuel tank, which could result in explosion and loss of
the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 2, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow

the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your

comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For the service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Cessna Aircraft Co., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.

Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket
number is FAA-2005-20970; the directorate identifier for this docket is
2004-NM-53-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Easterwood, Aerospace Engineer,
Electrical Systems and Avionics Branch, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, room 100, Mid-Continent
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4132; fax (316)
946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20970;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-53-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will

also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT street
address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

We have received a report indicating that chafing can exist between
the submerged electrical wiring harness on the wing fuel boost pump and
an aluminum fuel line inside the wing fuel tank. When troubleshooting a
tripped circuit breaker for the fuel boost pump on a Cessna Model 550
airplane, technicians discovered that the electrical wiring harness of
the wing fuel boost pump had chafed through the wire bundle insulation
and was arcing on an aluminum fuel line inside the wing fuel tank.
Subsequent inspections of additional airplanes revealed similar wire
chafing on nearly half the inspected airplanes. The resulting potential
for arcing and fuel vapor ignition, if not corrected, could result in
explosion and loss of the airplane.
The design of the wire routing installation, the type and spacing
of electrical wire clamps or lack of clamping, and the fuel pump wire
type in the area of the wing fuel boost pump on Model 550 airplanes are
the same on Cessna Model 500, 501, S550, 551, and 560 airplanes;
therefore, the unsafe condition could exist on all of these airplanes.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed the Cessna service bulletins listed in the
following table:

Service Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service bulletin Date Airplane model(s) Serial Nos.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SB500-28-12............................. June 14, 2004............. 500 and 501............... 0001-0689
SBS550-28-08............................ May 7, 2004............... S550...................... 0001-0160
SB550-28-14............................. December 2, 2003.......... 550 and 551............... 0002-0733
SB550-28-15............................. January 20, 2004.......... 550....................... 0801-1075
SB560-28-10............................. April 23, 2004............ 560....................... 0001-0538
SB560-28-11............................. March 12, 2004............ 560....................... 0539-0648
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[[Page 20084]]

The service bulletins describe procedures for:
Revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight
manual (AFM) to prohibit use of the wing fuel boost pumps for defueling
if the individual fuel load in each wing is less than a specified
weight;
Installing a placard that advises the flightcrew of the
minimum fuel weight requirements; and
Inspecting the full length of the wiring of the wing fuel
boost pumps to detect chafing through the outer jackets, through the
wire braid (shielding), and into the wire insulation.
The service bulletins also describe procedures for corrective and
other specified actions, depending on the inspection results, as
follows:
Applying sealant to any damaged areas of the wing fuel
boost pump wiring;
Installing spiral wrap on fuel boost pump wiring; and
Replacing the fuel boost pump with a new pump, if the wire
conductor is exposed and chafing is found through the outer jacket,
wire braid, and insulation.
In addition, the service bulletins describe procedures for
inspecting for damage of the fuel tube and wing structure, replacing
damaged fuel tubes with new fuel tubes, and replacing or repairing
damaged wing structure.
The service bulletins also describe procedures for modifying the
wing fuel boost pumps by installing clamps on certain tube assemblies
and on the boost pump wiring, and ensuring that the wires will not
contact any fuel lines or the airplane structure.
The service bulletins specify removing the AFM revision and placard
after doing the inspection, corrective and other specified actions, and
modification.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which
would require the actions specified in the service information
described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences Between
the Proposed AD and the Service Information.''

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information

This proposed AD specifies the placard text size, which is not
provided in the service bulletins. We find it necessary to require this
minimum standard on the placard to ensure its readability.
The service bulletins specify revising the AFM immediately (after
receipt of the service bulletin), but this proposed AD would allow up
to 25 flight hours for this action. In developing an appropriate
compliance time for this action, we considered the safety implications
and operators' typical maintenance schedules and determined that 25
flight hours will have minimal effect on operators, and no adverse
effect on safety.
Although the Accomplishment Instructions of the referenced service
bulletins describe procedures for submitting a sheet recording
compliance with the service bulletin, this proposed AD would not
require that action. We do not need this information from operators.

Costs of Compliance

This proposed AD would affect about 2,397 airplanes worldwide. The
following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to
comply with this proposed AD.

Estimated Costs
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Number of U.S.-
Applicable service bulletin Work Average labor Parts Cost per registered Fleet cost
hours rate per hour airplane airplanes
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SB500-28-12.................................................. 20 $65 $2,229 $3,529 444 $1,566,876
SBS550-28-08................................................. 12 65 102 882 126 111,132
SB550-28-14.................................................. 8 65 1,992 2,512 469 1,178,128
SB550-28-15.................................................. 8 65 1,936 2,456 194 476,464
SB560-28-10.................................................. 12 65 1,949 2,729 428 1,168,012
SB560-28-11.................................................. 8 65 1,052 1,572 101 158,772
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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

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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:
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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

[[Page 20085]]

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA 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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

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

Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2005-20970; Directorate
Identifier 2004-NM-53-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by June 2, 2005.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

Table 1.--Applicability
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Airplane model(s) Serial numbers
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500 and 501............................ 0001 through 0689 inclusive.
S550................................... 0001 through 0160 inclusive.
550 and 551............................ 0002 through 0733 inclusive.
550.................................... 0801 through 1075 inclusive.
560.................................... 0001 through 0648 inclusive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD was prompted by a report of a chafed electrical
wiring harness, which was arcing inside the fuel tank. We are
issuing this AD to prevent potential fuel vapor ignition in a fuel
tank, which could result in explosion and loss of the airplane.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.

Service Information

(f) The term ``service bulletin'' as used in this AD refers to
the applicable service bulletin listed in Table 2 of this AD.

Table 2.--Service Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Having serial Use Cessna Service Bulletin--
For Cessna Model-- numbers-- Dated--
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500 and 501 airplanes............. 0001-0689 SB500-28-12 June 14, 2004.
S550 airplanes.................... 0001-0160 SBS550-28-08 May 7, 2004.
550 and 551 airplanes............. 0002-0733 SB550-28-14 December 2, 2003.
550 airplanes..................... 0801-1075 SB550-28-15 January 20, 2004.
560 airplanes..................... 0001-0538 SB560-28-10 April 23, 2004.
560 airplanes..................... 0539-0648 SB560-28-11 March 12, 2004.
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AFM Revision

(g) Within 25 flight hours after the effective date of this AD:
Revise the Limitations section of the applicable Cessna airplane
flight manual (AFM) to prohibit use of the wing fuel boost pumps for
defueling under certain conditions, by inserting the applicable
temporary change identified in the service bulletin.

Placard Installation

(h) Within 25 flight hours after the effective date of this AD:
Install a placard close to the fuel quantity gauge, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. In
addition to the specifications in the service bulletin, the letters
on the placard must be at least \1/4\-inch tall.

Inspection and Modification

(i) Within 300 flight hours after the effective date of this AD:
Do the actions specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin.
(1) Do a detailed inspection for chafed wiring of the wing fuel
boost pumps, and, before further flight thereafter, do all
applicable corrective and other specified actions.
(2) Modify the wing fuel boost pumps.

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is:
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

(j) Before further flight after the inspection and modification
required by paragraph (i) of this AD, remove the AFM temporary
change and placard required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.

Reporting Clarification

(k) Although the service bulletin specifies to submit certain
information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that
requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(l) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 11, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-7674 Filed 4-15-05; 8:45 am]

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