[Federal Register: May 17, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 95)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 27766-27768]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17my07-17]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-27976; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-042-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cirrus Design Corporation Models SR20
and SR22 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Cirrus Design Corporation (CDC) Models SR20 and SR22 airplanes.
This proposed AD would require you to replace the pick-up collar
support and nylon screws, of the Cirrus Airplane Parachute System
(CAPS), with a new design pick-up collar support and custom tension
screws. This proposed AD results from a CDC report of an in-flight CAPS
activation where the parachute failed to successfully deploy. We are
proposing this AD to correct pick-up collar support fasteners of the
CAPS, which could result in the premature separation of the collar.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in the parachute failing
to successfully deploy (CAPS failure).
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 18, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.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,
[[Page 27767]]
Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
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.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instruction for submitting comments.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Circle, Duluth, Minnesota 55811;
telephone (218) 727-2737; internet address: http://www.cirrusdesign.com
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wess Rouse, Aerospace Engineer, 2300
East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone:
(847) 294-8113; fax: (847) 297-7834.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2007-27976; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-042-AD'' at the beginning 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 received 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 we
receive concerning this proposed AD.
Discussion
We have received a CDC report of an in-flight CAPS activation where
the parachute failed to successfully deploy. A CDC airplane in
Australia had an engine failure and was making an off airport landing.
The pilot activated the CAPS, and evidence indicates that the parachute
was not properly extracted from the airplane.
Testing indicates that the force of the CAPS rocket ignition and
rocket blase may prematurely break the nylon pick up collar/support
screws. When functioning properly the screws should not break until
impacted by a flange at the rocket base. A prematurely separated
collar/support may bind on the rocket as it slides down toward the
flange at the base of the rocket. This may alter the direction of the
rocket.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in the parachute
failing to successfully deploy (CAPS failure).
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed CDC's Alert Service Bulletin No. SB A2X-95-10 R2,
Issued April 2, 2007, Revised: April 24, 2007.
The service information describes procedures for replacing the
pick-up collar support of the CAPS with a new design pick-up collar
support and replacing the nylon screws with custom aluminum tension
screws.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD
would require you to do a replacement of the pick-up collar support and
associated fastening screws of the CAPS.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 2,677 airplanes in
the U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the proposed replacement of
the pick-up collar support of the CAPS:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost airplane U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $80 per hour = $160........................... $17 $177 $473,829
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: CDC will provide warranty credit to the extent noted in
Cirrus Alert Service Bulletin No. SB A2X-95-10 R2, Issued April 2,
2007, Revised: April 24, 2007.
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 porposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227)
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator,
[[Page 27768]]
the FAA proposed 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 AD:
Cirrus Design Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2007-27976; Directorate
Identifier 2007-CE-042-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by June 18, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model SR20 airplanes, serial numbers (SN)
1005 through 1798, and Model SR22 airplanes, SN 0002 through 2437,
that are certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a Cirrus Design Corporation (CDC)
report of an in-flight Cirrus Airplane Parachute System (CAPS)
activation where the parachute failed to successfully deploy. We are
issuing this AD to correct pick-up collar support fasteners of the
CAPS, which could result in the premature separation of the collar.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in the parachute
failing to successfully deploy (CAPS failure).
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless
already done:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actions Compliance Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the pick-up collar Within the next 25 Follow Cirrus Alert
support of the CAPS with hours time-in- Service Bulletin
the new design pick-up service (TIS), or No. SB A2X-95-10
collar support and the two within 60 days, R2, Issued April 2,
nylon collar support screws whichever occurs 2007, Revised:
with new custom aluminum first after the April 24, 2007.
tension screws. One of the effective date of
following must do the this AD.
replacement:
(1) A CDC trained and
authorized parachute
system technician who
also holds an Airframe
and Powerplant (A&P)
mechanic license; or
(2) a CDC trained and
authorized parachute
system technician who
is supervised by an A&P
mechanic.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(f) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to
ATTN: Wess Rouse, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue,
Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-8113;
fax: (847) 297-7834. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane
to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal
inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO),
or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
Related Information
(g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this
AD, contact Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Circle, Duluth,
Minnesota 55811; telephone: (218) 727-2737; internet address:
http://www.cirrusdesign.com. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket
Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-
2007-27976; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-042-AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 11, 2007.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 07-2438 Filed 5-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M