FR Doc E8-18231

[Federal Register: August 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 153)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 45902-45905]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07au08-20]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27268; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-025-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing) Models
LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to revise Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-07-

[[Page 45903]]

06, which applies to certain Cessna Aircraft Company (type certificate
previously held by Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing) (Cessna) Models
LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG airplanes. AD 2007-07-06
currently requires the following: adding information to the limitations
section of the airplane flight manual (AFM); repetitively inspecting
the aileron and the elevator linear bearings and control rods for
foreign object debris, scarring, or damage; and taking all necessary
corrective actions. Since we issued AD 2007-07-06, Cessna has issued a
new service bulletin that contains procedures for installing an access
panel to facilitate the required inspections. Consequently, this
proposed AD would retain the actions currently required in AD 2007-07-
06; allow installing access panels; and change the serial number
applicability. We are proposing this AD to prevent jamming in the
aileron and elevator control systems, which could result in failure.
This failure could lead to loss of control.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 6, 2008.

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 67227; phone (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 942-9006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Morfitt, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
98057; telephone: (425) 917-6405; fax: (425) 917-6590.

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-
2007-27268; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-025-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

Reports of foreign material lodged in a linear bearing (part number
LA57272500), which supports a push-pull tube in the aileron control
system, on a Model LC41-550FG airplane caused us to issue AD 2007-07-
06, Amendment 39-15011 (72 FR 15822, April 3, 2007). AD 2007-07-06
currently requires the following on certain Cessna Models LC40-550FG,
LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG airplanes:
Adding information to the limitations section of the
airplane flight manual (AFM);
Repetitively inspecting the aileron and the elevator
linear bearings and control rods for foreign object debris, scarring,
or damage; and
Taking all necessary corrective actions.
Since issuing AD 2007-07-06, Cessna has issued a new service
bulletin that contains procedures for installing a linear bearing
access panel to facilitate doing the inspections required in AD 2007-
07-06. The inspections required in AD 2007-07-06 are to be done by
drilling a 3/4-inch diameter hole in the flap cove.
Cessna has also changed the serial number applicability of the
airplanes affected by AD 2007-07-06. Production methods have changed to
eliminate the possibility of bearing contamination from adhesive during
the assembly process. The bearing design has been changed to reduce the
possibility of jamming, and access panels in the lower wing are now
being installed during production.
The airplane maintenance manual has also been changed to
incorporate an annual inspection requirement of the aileron linear
bearings into the maintenance program for new production airplanes.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in jamming of the
aileron and elevator control systems, which could result in loss of
control.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Cessna Mandatory Service Bulletins SB-07-002D and
SB-07-018, both dated May 29, 2008.
These service bulletins describe procedures for:
Adding information to the ``Before Starting Engine''
checklist;
Inspecting the aileron and the elevator linear bearings
and control rods for foreign object debris, scarring, or damage; and
Installing a linear bearing access panel.

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 revise AD 2007-07-06 with a new AD that would retain the actions
currently required in AD 2007-07-06; allow installing access panels;
and change the serial number applicability. This proposed AD would
require you to use the service information described previously to
perform these actions.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 1,495 airplanes in the U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost Total cost on U.S.
per airplane operators
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4 work-hours x $80 per hour = $320.............. Not applicable.................... $320 $478,400
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We estimate the following costs to do the optional access panel
installation:

[[Page 45904]]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost per
airplane
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14 work-hours x $80 per hour = Not applicable........ $1,120
$1,120.
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Warranty credit for installing the access panel will be given to
the extent noted in Cessna Mandatory Service Bulletins SB-07-018, dated
May 29, 2008.

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) 647-5227)
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, 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 removing Airworthiness Directive
(AD) 2007-07-06, Amendment 39-15011 (72 FR 15822, April 3, 2007), and
adding the following new AD:

Cessna Aircraft Company (type certificate previously held by
Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing): Docket No. FAA-2007-27268;
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-025-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by October 6, 2008.

Affected ADs

(b) This AD revises AD 2007-07-06, Amendment 39-15011.

Applicability

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Model Serial Nos.
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LC40-550FG........................ 40001 through 40079.
LC41-550FG........................ 41001 through 41800 and 411001
through 411041.
LC42-550FG........................ 42001 through 42569 and 421001
through 421006.
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Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD is the result of reports of possible foreign object
contamination of the linear bearings. We are issuing this AD to
prevent jamming in the aileron and elevator control systems, which
could result in failure. This failure 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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(1) Insert Appendix A of Before further The owner/operator
Columbia Mandatory Service flight after April holding at least a
Bulletin SB-07-002, dated 9, 2007 (the private pilot
March 14, 2007, or Appendix compliance date certificate as
A of Cessna Mandatory retained from AD authorized by
Service Bulletin SB-07- 2007-07-06). section 43.7 of the
002D, dated May 29, 2008, Federal Aviation
into the limitations Regulations (14 CFR
section of the airplane 43.7) may do the
flight manual (AFM). AFM insertion
requirement of this
AD. Make an entry
into the aircraft
logbook showing
compliance with
this portion of the
AD in accordance
with section 43.9
of the Federal
Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR
43.9).

[[Page 45905]]

(2) Access and inspect the Initially inspect Following Columbia
aileron bearings in both within the next 35 Mandatory Service
wings and the elevator hours time-in- Bulletin SB-07-002,
bearings in the fuselage service (TIS) after dated March 14,
for foreign object debris. April 9, 2007 (the 2007, or Cessna
compliance date Mandatory Service
retained from AD Bulletin SB-07-
2007-07-06). 002D, dated May 29,
Repetitively 2008, and FAA-
inspect thereafter approved
at intervals not to maintenance
exceed 12 calendar procedures. The
months. appropriate
maintenance manual
contains these
procedures.
(3) Remove any debris found Before further Following Columbia
during any inspection flight after the Mandatory Service
required in paragraph inspection in which Bulletin SB-07-002,
(e)(2) of this AD. the debris is found. dated March 14,
2007, or Cessna
Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB-07-
002D, dated May 29,
2008, and FAA-
approved
maintenance
procedures. The
appropriate
maintenance manual
contains these
procedures.
(4) Inspect the aileron and Initially inspect Following Columbia
elevator control rods for within the next 35 Mandatory Service
scarring or damage near the hours TIS after Bulletin SB-07-002,
linear bearings. April 9, 2007 (the dated March 14,
compliance date 2007, or Cessna
retained from AD Mandatory Service
2007-07-06). Bulletin SB-07-
Repetitively 002D, dated May 29,
inspect thereafter 2008, and FAA-
at intervals not to approved
exceed 12 calendar maintenance
months. procedures. The
appropriate
maintenance manual
contains these
procedures.
(5) Contact the manufacturer Make all repairs Following Columbia
at the address specified in before further Mandatory Service
paragraph (h)(2) of this AD flight after the Bulletin SB-07-002,
for a repair scheme if any inspection in which dated March 14,
scarring or damage is found scarring or damage 2007, or Cessna
during any inspection is found. Mandatory Service
required in paragraph Bulletin SB-07-
(e)(4) of this AD. 002D, dated May 29,
2008, and FAA-
approved
maintenance
procedures. The
appropriate
maintenance manual
contains these
procedures.
(6) For the inspections At any time after Following Cessna
required in paragraphs the effective date Mandatory Service
(e)(2) and (e)(4) of this of this AD. Bulletin SB-07-018,
AD, you may install a dated May 29, 2008.
linear bearing access panel
instead of drilling an
inspection hole. If the
hole has previously been
drilled, the access panel
may also be installed in
addition to the inspection
hole.
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Note 1: Previous compliance with paragraphs (e)(1) through
(e)(5) of this AD using Columbia Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-07-
002A, dated August 29, 2007; Cessna Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-
07-002B, dated December 10, 2007; or Cessna Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB-07-002C, dated February 18, 2008, are acceptable methods
of compliance.

Note 2: Compliance with Cessna Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-07-
018, dated May 29, 2008, is not considered terminating action for
this AD. This AD takes precedence over Cessna Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB-07-018, dated May 29, 2008.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(f) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, ATTN: Jeff Morfitt, Aerospace Engineer, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, WA 98057; telephone: (425) 917-6405; fax: (425) 917-6590,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 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.
(g) AMOCs approved for AD 2007-07-06 are approved for this AD.

Related Information

(h) To get copies of the service information referenced in this
AD, contact Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706,
Wichita, Kansas 67227; phone (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.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 1, 2008.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-18231 Filed 8-6-08; 8:45 am]

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