[Federal Register: November 29, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 229)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 67566-67568]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29no07-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0250; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-091-AD;
Amendment 39-15279; AD 2007-24-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR22
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Cirrus Design Corporation (Cirrus) Model SR22 airplanes. This
AD requires you to install a drain hole in the left and right outboard
wing tips. This AD results from reports of pilots' inability to move
the aileron control without using excessive force when flying in
freezing conditions. Moisture from a prior rain shower entered through
a gap at the interface of the left and right outboard wing tips and
wing structure. The moisture traveled along the aft wing shear web,
accumulated below the aileron control pulley, and froze at an altitude
with an outside air temperature below freezing. When this moisture is
exposed to freezing conditions, operation of the aileron control pulley
is impaired. We are issuing this AD to prevent moisture from
accumulating along the wing shear web where it may freeze in certain
conditions. This condition could result in operational failure of the
aileron control pulley, which could lead to loss of control.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 4, 2007.
On December 4, 2007, the Director of the Federal Register approved
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this
AD.
We must receive any comments on this AD by January 28, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 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
[[Page 67567]]
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
To get the service information identified in this AD, contact
Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Corporation, Duluth, Minnesota
55811; telephone: (218) 727-2737.
To view the comments to this AD, go to http://www.regulations.gov.
The docket number is FAA-2007-0250; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-091-
AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy Boffo, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago
Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des
Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-7564; fax: (847) 294-
7834.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We received a report that a production flight test pilot engaged
the autopilot on a Cirrus Model SR22 airplane after climbing to 17,500
feet with an outside air temperature of -4 [deg]C. While on autopilot,
the airplane began drifting to the left. The pilot disengaged the
autopilot and noticed that the aileron control was stuck. Using
considerable force, the pilot was able to move the aileron control, but
then it stuck in another position. After descending to an altitude with
an outside air temperature above freezing, the aileron control returned
to normal function.
The incident airplane was a Cirrus flight test airplane and was
stored outside in the rain for at least one day before the flight.
Take-off was also during a light rain.
The wing on the Cirrus SR22 airplane was recently redesigned. We
have determined that the new design allows moisture to enter at the
interface between the wing and wing tip. The moisture finds a path
along the aft wing shear web and accumulates below the aileron pulley.
When the moisture is exposed to freezing conditions, operation of the
aileron control pulley is impaired.
Two other similar occurrences on production flight test airplanes
have been reported.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in operational
failure of the aileron control pulley. This failure could lead to loss
of control.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Cirrus Design Service Bulletin SB 2X-57-08, dated
November 2, 2007. The service information describes procedures for
installing a drain hole in the left and right outboard wing tips.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the information and
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other products of the same type design. This AD requires
you to install a drain hole in the left and right outboard wing tips.
In preparing this rule, we contacted type clubs and aircraft
operators to get technical information and information on operational
and economic impacts. We did not receive any information through these
contacts. If received, we would have included a discussion of any
information that may have influenced this action in the rulemaking
docket.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because
operational failure of the aileron control pulley could lead to loss of
control. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good
cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and an opportunity for
public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views,
or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2007-0250;
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-091-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 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 AD.
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 determined that 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); 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket that contains the 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
[[Page 67568]]
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2007-24-13 Cirrus Design Corporation: Amendment 39-15279; Docket No.
FAA-2007-0250; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-091-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective on December 4, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Model SR22 airplanes, serial numbers
2334, 2420, and 2438 through 2749, that are certificated in any
category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of pilots' inability to move
the aileron control without using excessive force when flying in
freezing conditions. Moisture entered through a gap at the interface
of the left and right outboard wing tips and wing structure. The
moisture traveled along the aft wing shear web, accumulated below
the aileron control pulley, and froze at an altitude with an outside
air temperature below freezing. When this moisture is exposed to
freezing conditions, operation of the aileron control pulley is
impaired. We are issuing this AD to prevent moisture from
accumulating along the wing shear web where it may freeze in certain
conditions. This condition could result in operational failure of
the aileron control pulley, which could lead to loss of control.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless
already done:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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Install a drain hole in the At whichever of the Follow Cirrus Design
left and right outboard following occurs Service Bulletin SB
wing tips. first: (1) Within 2X-57-08, dated
the next 10 hours November 2, 2007.
time-in-service
after December 4,
2007 (the effective
date of this AD);
or (2) Within the
next 30 days after
December 4, 2007
(the effective date
of this AD).
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(f) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification (ACO) Office,
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: Roy Boffo, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO, 2300 East Devon
Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-
7564; fax: (847) 294-7834. 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(g) You must use Cirrus Design Service Bulletin SB 2X-57-08,
dated November 2, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD,
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Corporation, Duluth,
Minnesota 55811; telephone: (218) 727-2737.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 20, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-23118 Filed 11-28-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P