[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 9, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68731-68733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-28274]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-1107; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-263-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Cessna Aircraft Company Model 750
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Model 750 airplanes. This proposed AD would require an
inspection to determine the serial numbers of the auxiliary power unit
(APU) generator and the left and right engine direct current (DC)
generators, and related corrective actions if necessary. This proposed
AD would also require revising the airplane flight manual. This
proposed AD results from a report of a DC generator overvoltage event
which caused smoke in the cockpit and damage to numerous avionics and
electrical components. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct
an overvoltage condition on the DC electrical busses caused by exciter
stator winding failures, and subsequent failure of the generator
control unit (GCU) overvoltage protection circuitry, which could result
in damage to critical electrical and avionics components.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 27,
2010.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
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 Co., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone
316-517-6215; fax 316-517-5802; e-mail [email protected];
Internet https://www.cessnasupport.com/newlogin.html. You may review
copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-
227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket 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 AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The
[[Page 68732]]
street address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raymond Johnston, Aerospace Engineer,
Electrical Systems and Avionics, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4197; fax (316)
946-4107.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-1107;
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-263-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because 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 about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We have received a report of a DC generator overvoltage event which
caused smoke in the cockpit and damage to numerous avionics and
electrical components. This event occurred on the ground before an
engine was started. This event was determined to be the result of a
short in the APU generator windings and subsequent damage to the
overvoltage protection circuit in the GCU due to prolonged holding of
the generator reset switch in the cockpit. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in an overvoltage condition on the DC
electrical busses caused by exciter stator winding failures, and
subsequent failure of the GCU overvoltage protection circuitry
associated with the engine and APU DC generators.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Cessna Service Letter SL750-24-08, dated August
13, 2009, which describes procedures for an inspection to determine the
serial number of the APU generator and the left and right engine 400
amp DC generators. For any airplane having any generator with a serial
number from 060 through 297 without suffix ``C,'' the service letter
specifies to replace the affected generator(s) before further flight.
We also reviewed Cessna Airplane Flight Manual Temporary Changes 75EUMA
TC-R01-35, dated May 8, 2009; 75EUA TC-R01-35, dated May 8, 2009; and
75FMA TC-R01-46, dated April 23, 2009; which provide instructions not
to hold the main or APU generator reset switches in the reset position
for more than one second and to make no more than two attempts to reset
a generator.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information described previously.
Interim Action
We consider this proposed AD interim action. The manufacturer is
currently developing a modification that will address the unsafe
condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is developed,
approved, and available, we might consider additional rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 67 airplanes of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take up to 10 work-hours per
product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85
per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this
proposed AD to the U.S. operators to be up to $56,950, or $850 per
product.
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 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 this 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.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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:
The Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-1107; Directorate
Identifier 2009-NM-263-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by December 27, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to The Cessna Aircraft Company Model 750
airplanes, certificated in any category, having serial numbers -
0222, and -0225 and subsequent.
[[Page 68733]]
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24:
Electrical power.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from a report of a direct current (DC)
generator overvoltage event which caused smoke in the cockpit and
damage to numerous avionics and electrical components. The Federal
Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to detect and correct an
overvoltage condition on the DC electrical busses caused by exciter
stator winding failures, and subsequent failure of the generator
control unit overvoltage protection circuitry, which could result in
damage to critical electrical and avionics components.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Inspection
(g) For airplanes having serial numbers -0222, -0225 through -
0293 inclusive, -0295, -0296, and -0298: Within 6 months or 600
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, inspect to determine the serial number of the auxiliary power
unit (APU) generator and the left and right engine 400 amp DC
generators, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Cessna Service Letter SL750-24-08, dated August 13, 2009. For
airplanes that have one or more generators having a serial number
060 through 297 inclusive without suffix ``C,'' before further
flight, replace the affected generator(s) with a new or serviceable
generator, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Cessna Service Letter SL750-24-08, dated August 13, 2009.
Revision of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
(h) For airplanes having serial numbers -0222, and -0225 and
subsequent: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD,
revise Section II, Operating Limitations, Generator Limitations,
page 2-12, of the applicable airplane flight manual (AFM) to include
the information in the applicable Temporary Change (TC) required by
paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), or (h)(3) of this AD. These TCs introduce
procedures for resetting the APU generator. Operate the airplane
according to the limitations and procedures in the TCs.
(1) For Model 750 Citation X (750-0173 and on and airplanes
incorporating SB750-71-10 AFM 75FMA, Revision 1, dated June 13,
2002): Insert Cessna Temporary Change (TC) 75FMA TC-R01-46, dated
April 23, 2009.
(2) For Model 750 Citation X (750-0173 and on and airplanes
incorporating SB750-71-10) AFM 75EUA, Revision 1, dated June 19,
2002: Insert Cessna TC 75EUA TC-R01-35, dated May 8, 2009.
(3) For Model 750 Citation X (750-0173 and on and airplanes
incorporating SB750-71-10) AFM 75EUMA, Revision 1, dated June 30,
2002: Insert Cessna TC 75EUMA TC-R01-35, dated May 8, 2009.
Note 1: The AFM revisions required by paragraph (g) of this AD
may be done by inserting copies of TCs 75FMA TC-R01-46, dated April
23, 2009; 75EUA TC-R01-35, dated May 8, 2009; or 75EUMA TC-R01-35,
dated May 8, 2009; into the applicable AFM. When these TCs have been
included in general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may
be inserted into the AFM, provided the relevant information in the
general revision is identical to that in TCs.
Parts Installation
(i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
any Pacific Scientific generators having part number 92841-1
(9914752-1) that has serial numbers 060 through 297 without the
suffix ``C'' on any airplane.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(j)(1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification 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:
Raymond Johnston, Aerospace Engineer, Electrical Systems and
Avionics, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita,
Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4197; fax (316) 946-4107.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 2, 2010.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-28274 Filed 11-8-10; 8:45 am]
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