[Federal Register: October 24, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 205)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 60291-60293]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24oc07-25]
[[Page 60291]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-29138; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-073-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172R and
172S Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 172R and 172S. This
proposed AD would require you to inspect the fuel return line assembly
for chafing; replace the fuel return line assembly if chafing is found;
and inspect the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and
both the right steering tube assembly and the airplane structure,
adjusting as necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of chafed
fuel return line assemblies, which were caused by the fuel return line
assembly rubbing against the right steering tube assembly during full
rudder pedal actuation. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct
chafing of the fuel return line assembly, which could result in fuel
leaking under the floor and fuel vapors entering the cabin. This
condition could lead to fire under the floor or in the cabin area.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 24,
2007.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita,
Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 942-9006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Trenton Shepherd, Aerospace Engineer,
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316)
946-4143; fax: (316) 946-4107; e-mail: trent.shepherd@faa.gov.
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-
2007-29138; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-073-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://www.regulations.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 four reports of fuel return line assembly chafing
in Cessna Models 172R and 172S airplanes. The reports indicated the
fuel return line assembly rubbed against the right steering tube
assembly during full rudder pedal actuation and caused the chafing.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in fuel leaking
under the cabin floor and fuel vapors entering the cabin. This
condition could lead to fire under the floor or in the cabin area.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Cessna Mandatory Service Bulletin SB07-28-01,
dated June 18, 2007. The service information describes the following
procedures:
Inspecting the fuel return line assembly;
Replacing the fuel return line assembly if chafing is
found; and
Inspecting the clearance between the fuel return line
assembly and both the right steering tube assembly and the airplane
structure, adjusting as necessary.
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 detect and correct chafing of the fuel vent line
assembly.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
The service information permits tube damage up to a depth of 0.0035
inch. There is no known method to accurately measure the thickness
damage on a tube. We propose to require replacement of the fuel return
line assembly if any damage is found.
If no chafing is found in the inspection of the fuel return line
assembly, the service information does not require inspection for
clearance around the fuel return line assembly. We propose to inspect
the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and both the right
steering tube assembly and airplane structure, for all applicable
aircraft.
The service information does not specify a minimum clearance
requirement between the fuel return line assembly and the right
steering tube assembly, only that the fuel return line assembly does
not touch either the right steering tube assembly or the airplane
structure. We propose to require a minimum of 0.5 inch of clearance
between the fuel return line assembly and both the right steering tube
assembly and the airplane structure, during full rudder pedal
actuation.
The requirements of this proposed AD, if adopted as a final rule,
would take precedence over the provisions in the service information.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 928 airplanes in the
U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:
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Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost Total cost on U.S.
per airplane operators
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1 work-hour x $80 per hour = N/A $80 $74,240
$80..........................
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection.
We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need
this replacement:
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Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost per airplane
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0.5 work-hour x $80 per hour = $40.......... $123 $163
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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 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://www.regulations.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) 647-5527)
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, 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 AD:
Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2007-29138; Directorate
Identifier 2007-CE-073-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by December 24, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial
numbers that are certificated in any category:
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Models Serial No.
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172R........................... 17281188 through 17281390.
172S........................... 172S9491 through 172S10489.
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Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of chafed fuel return line
assemblies caused by the fuel return line assembly rubbing against
the right steering tube assembly during full rudder pedal actuation.
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct chafing of the fuel
return line assembly, which could result in fuel leaking under the
cabin floor and fuel vapors entering the cabin. This condition could
lead to fire under the floor or in the cabin area.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless
already done:
Note: The requirements of this AD take precedence over the
actions required in the service information.
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Inspect the fuel return line Within the next 100 hours time-in- Follow Cessna Service Bulletin SB07-
assembly (Cessna part number (P/N) service (TIS) after the effective 28-01, dated June 18, 2007.
0500118-49 or FAA-approved date of this AD or within the next
equivalent P/N) for chafing. 12 months after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first.
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(2) If chafing is found in the Before further flight after the Follow Cessna Service Bulletin SB07-
inspection required in paragraph inspection required in paragraph 28-01, dated June 18, 2007.
(e)(1) of this AD, replace the fuel (e)(1) of this AD where evidence of
return line assembly (Cessna P/N chafing was found.
0500118-49 or FAA-approved
equivalent P/N).
(3) Inspect for a minimum clearance Before further flight after: Follow paragraph 6 of the
of 0.5 inch between the following (A) The inspection required in Instructions section of Cessna
parts throughout the entire range paragraph (e)(1) of this AD if no Service Bulletin SB07-28-01, dated
of copilot rudder pedal travel and chafing is found; or. June 18, 2007. This AD requires a
adjust the clearance as necessary: (B) The replacement required in minimum clearance of 0.5 inch.
paragraph (e)(2) of this AD..
(i) The fuel return line
assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49
or FAA-approved equivalent P/N)
and the steering tube assembly
(Cessna P/N MC0543022-2C); and
(ii) The fuel return line
assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49
or FAA-approved equivalent P/N)
and the airplane structure.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(f) The Manager, Wichita 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: Trenton Shepherd, Aerospace Engineer, 1801 Airport Road, Room
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4143; fax: (316)
946-4107; e-mail: trent.shepherd@faa.gov. 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 Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706,
Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 942-
9006. To view the AD docket, go to U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. The docket number is
Docket No. FAA-2007-29138; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-073-AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 17, 2007.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-20862 Filed 10-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P