[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 602-603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-160]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-CE-59-AD; Amendment 39-9873; AD 97-01-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Model 525 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 525 
airplanes. This action requires repetitively inspecting the main 
landing gear (MLG) trunnion pins for proper installation, and either 
immediately or eventually replacing the existing dry-film lubricated 
MLG trunnion slot bearings with sealed and self-lubricating bearings. 
This AD results from an incident where the left MLG collapsed during 
the landing roll even though the cockpit indications showed that the 
MLG was in the normal down and locked position. Loss of dry-film 
lubricant on the MLG trunnion bearings caused this incident. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent MLG collapse 
caused by trunnion bearing failure, which could result in loss of 
control of the airplane during landing operations.

DATES: Effective January 15, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 15, 1997.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 7, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 96-CE-59-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from 
the Cessna Aircraft Company, Citation Marketing Division, P.O. Box 
7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone (316) 941-6000; facsimile (314) 
941-8500. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-CE-59-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Eual Conditt, Aerospace Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport 
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 
946-4128; facsimile (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to This AD

    Recently, a Cessna Model 525 airplane was involved in an incident 
where the left main landing gear (MLG) collapsed during the landing 
roll even though cockpit indications showed that the MLG was in the 
normal down and locked position. Investigation revealed that loss of 
dry-film lubricant on the MLG trunnion bearings caused this incident.
    Further investigation of the MLG of Cessna Model 525 airplanes 
indicates that this dry-film lubricant in the MLG trunnion bearings 
becomes inadequate over time. When these bearings are not properly 
lubricated, the roll pin that goes through the trunnion and bearing 
shaft fails, which causes the pin to back out of the bearing. This roll 
pin supports the entire MLG, so its failure then causes MLG collapse.

Applicable Service Information

    Cessna has issued the following service information:
     Cessna Alert Service Letter SLA525-32-11, Revision 1, 
dated October 1, 1996, which includes procedures for inspecting the MLG 
trunnion pins for proper installation; and
     Cessna Service Bulletin SB525-32-08, Revision 1, dated 
October 1, 1996, which includes procedures for replacing the existing 
dry-film lubricated MLG trunnion slot bearings with sealed and self-
lubricating bearings.

The FAA's Determination

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incident described above, including the 
above-referenced service information, the FAA has determined that AD 
action should be taken to prevent MLG collapse caused by trunnion 
bearing failure, which could result in loss of control of the airplane 
during landing operations.

Explanation of the Provisions of This AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Cessna Model 525 airplanes of the same type 
design, this AD requires repetitively inspecting the main landing gear 
(MLG) trunnion pins for proper installation, and either immediately or 
eventually replacing the existing dry-film lubricated MLG trunnion slot 
bearings with sealed and self-lubricating bearings. Only two 
inspections will be allowed before mandatory replacement of the MLG 
trunnion slot bearings. Accomplishment of the inspections required by 
this AD will be in accordance with Cessna Alert Service Letter SLA525-
32-11, Revision 1, dated October 1, 1996. Accomplishment of the 
replacement required by this AD will be in accordance with Cessna 
Service Bulletin SB525-32-08, Revision 1, dated October 1, 1996.

Determination of the Effective Date of the AD

    Since a situation exists (loss of control of the airplane during 
landing operations) that requires the immediate adoption of this 
regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for public prior 
comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for making 
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 will be considered, 
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual 
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is 
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and 
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic,

[[Page 603]]

environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need 
to modify the 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 AD will be filed in 
the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 96-CE-59-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action 
involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that 
this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is 
not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules 
Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

97-01-02 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-9873; Docket No. 96-
CE-59-AD.

    Applicability: Model 525 airplanes (serial numbers 525-0001 
through 525-0153), certificated in any category.

    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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent main landing gear (MLG) collapse caused by trunnion 
bearing failure, which could result in loss of control of the 
airplane during landing operations, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, and thereafter within 25 hours TIS after 
the initial inspection, inspect the main landing gear trunnion pins 
(four pins: both forward and aft trunnion pins on both the left and 
right MLG) for proper installation. Perform this inspection in 
accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Cessna 
Alert Service Letter SLA525-32-11, Revision 1, dated October 1, 
1996.
    (b) If any pin is not properly installed as described in Cessna 
Alert Service Letter SLA525-32-11, Revision 1, dated October 1, 
1996, prior to further flight, replace the existing dry-film 
lubricated MLG trunnion slot bearing with a sealed and self- 
lubricating bearing. Perform this replacement in accordance with the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Cessna Service Bulletin 
SB525-32-08, Revision 1, dated October 1, 1996. The repetitive 
inspection need not be accomplished on the trunnion pin when the 
bearing is replaced with a sealed and self-lubricating bearing.
    (c) Within the next 75 hours TIS after the effective date of 
this AD, unless already accomplished in accordance with paragraph 
(b) of this AD, replace the existing dry-film lubricated MLG 
trunnion slot bearing with a sealed and self-lubricating bearing at 
all four main landing gear trunnion locations (both forward and aft 
trunnion pins on both the left and right MLG). Perform these 
replacements in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS 
section of Cessna Service Bulletin SB525-32-08, Revision 1, dated 
October 1, 1996.
    (d) Replacing the existing dry-film lubricated MLG trunnion slot 
bearing with a sealed and self- lubricating bearing in accordance 
with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Cessna Service 
Bulletin SB525-32-08, Revision 1, dated October 1, 1996, on all four 
main landing gear trunnion locations (both forward and aft trunnion 
pins on both the left and right MLG) eliminates the repetitive 
inspection requirement of this AD. These replacements may be 
accomplished at any time prior to 75 hours TIS after the effective 
date of this AD, at which time they must be accomplished (see 
paragraph (c) of this AD).
    (e) 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.
    (f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Wichita ACO.

    (g) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Cessna Alert Service Letter SLA525-32-11, Revision 
1, dated October 1, 1996. The replacements required by this AD shall 
be done in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SB525-32-08, 
Revision 1, dated October 1, 1996. This incorporation by reference 
was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 
the Cessna Aircraft Company, Citation Marketing Division, P.O. Box 
7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 
601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.
    (h) This amendment (39-9873) becomes effective on January 15, 
1997.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 23, 1996.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-160 Filed 1-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U