[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 12, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35873-35877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16975]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-14-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company 150 and A150 
Series and Models 152 and A152 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna)150 and A150 
series and Models 152 and A152 airplanes that have a Bush Conversions, 
Inc., Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) kit installed in accordance with 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA1371SW. The proposed action would 
require measuring the wing stall fence for maximum height, and 
installing a smaller fence if the fence exceeds the maximum height of 
1.28 inches. An accident of a Cessna Model 152 airplane where the STOL 
kit adversely affected the airplane's stall characteristics prompted 
the proposed action. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent the airplane from entering a stall condition 
because of improper wing stall fence height, which could result in loss 
of control of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 15, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-14-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
holidays excepted.
    Figure 1 of the proposed AD may be obtained from the Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent 
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; and may be examined at the FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 

[[Page 35874]]
601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Larry Engler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4122; 
facsimile (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned 
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 95-CE-14-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-14-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The FAA received a report of an accident involving a Cessna Model 
152 airplane. After takeoff, the airplane turned 180 degrees as if to 
return to the airport, and rolled to the right and descended vertically 
to the ground. The Cessna Model 152 airplane was equipped with a Bush 
Conversions, Inc., Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) kit installed in 
accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA1371SW. This kit 
includes a wing leading edge cuff and stall fence on each wing that is 
installed on the top of the wing chordwise in line with the aileron/
flap juncture. The wing stall fence on this Cessna Model 152 airplane 
measured 1.625 inches in height at its trailing edge and maintained 
that height through approximately 70 percent of the fence's length, 
gradually tapering to the contour of the wing's leading edge.
    The FAA approved the fence height of the Bush Conversions, Inc., 
STOL kit at a height of 1.16 inches (plus or minus .12 inches) for 
Cessna 150 and A150 series and Models 152 and A152 airplanes. Mid-
America Drawing No. 1001 references this height and is included as part 
of STC SA1371SW. Mid-America Drawing No. 1001 is included as Figure 1 
of the proposed AD.
    Since the referenced accident, the National Transportation Safety 
Board (NTSB) and the FAA inspected three other Cessna 150 series 
airplanes and found the STOL kit fence heights ranging from 1.375 
inches to 1.75 inches.
    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the accident and investigations described above, 
the FAA has determined that (1) the STOL kit fence height should be 
checked on Cessna 150 and A150 series and Models 152 and A152 
airplanes; and (2) AD action should be taken to prevent the airplane 
operator from entering a stall condition because of improper wing stall 
fence height, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Cessna 150 and A150 series and Models 152 and 
A152 airplanes of the same type design that have a Bush Conversions, 
Inc., STOL kit installed in accordance with STC SA1371SW, the proposed 
AD would require measuring the wing stall fence for maximum height, and 
installing a smaller fence if the fence exceeds the maximum height of 
1.28 inches. Figure 1 of the proposed AD includes information for 
inspecting the stall fence height.
    The FAA estimates that the STOL kit is installed on 25 of the 
Cessna 150 and A150 series and Models 152 and A152 airplanes in the 
U.S. registry, that it would take approximately 8 workhours per 
airplane to inspect the stall fences, and that the average labor rate 
is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $12,000. 
This figure is based upon the assumption that none of the affected 
airplane owners/operators have inspected the STOL fence for correct 
height. The FAA has no way of determining how many owners/operators of 
the affected airplanes have accomplished the proposed inspection.
    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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) if promulgated, 
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. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of 
it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location 
provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new AD to read as follows:

Cessna Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. 95-CE-14-AD.

    Applicability: The following airplane models (all serial 
numbers), certificated in any category, that have a Bush 
Conversions, Inc., Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) kit 

[[Page 35875]]
installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
SA1371SW:

150  150A  150B  150C  150D  150E  150F  150G  150H  150J  150K  
A150K  150L  A150L  150M  A150M  152  A152

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (d) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent the airplane operator from entering a stall condition 
because of improper wing stall fence height, which, if not detected 
and corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Measure the height of the wing stall fence at its trailing 
edge to ensure that the height does not exceed 1.28 inches. (See 
Figure 1 of this AD).
    (b) If the wing stall fence height exceeds 1.28 inches, prior to 
further flight, install a smaller fence in accordance with 
instructions obtained from the Wichita Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, 
Kansas 67209.

    Note 2: Mid-America Drawing No. 1001 (part of STC SA1371SW) is 
included as Figure 1 of this AD for reference purposes.

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    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Wichita ACO, 801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209. The request shall be 
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Wichita ACO.

    (e) Figure 1 of this AD may be obtained from the Wichita ACO at 
the address specified in paragraph (d) of this AD; and may be 
examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 5, 1995.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-16975 Filed 7-11-95; 8:45 am]
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