[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 232 (Thursday, December 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66744-66746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32044]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-109-AD; Amendment 39-10925; AD 98-25-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Model 172R
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 172R
airplanes that are not equipped with an autopilot. This AD requires
inspecting the right wing for an incorrectly routed, frayed, or damaged
aileron control cable, and re-routing any incorrectly routed cable or
replacing any frayed or damaged cable. The AD also requires reporting
any incorrectly routed, frayed, or damaged cable to the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA). This AD is the result of a report of an
incorrectly routed aileron control cable in the right wing of an
airplane of the same type design to those affected by this AD. The
cable was routed over the aileron auto pilot actuator pulley and the
cable was rubbing on the cable guard. The actions specified by this AD
are intended to prevent loss of aileron control caused by a damaged or
frayed aileron control cable, which could result in loss of directional
control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective December 18, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 18, 1998.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before January 22, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-109-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, P.0. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277;
telephone: (316) 941-7550; facsimile: (316) 942-9008. This information
may also be examined at the Federal Aviation
[[Page 66745]]
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-109-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. Joel M. Ligon, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room
100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209, telephone: (316)
946-4138; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA has received a report of an incorrectly routed aileron
control cable in the right wing of a Cessna Model 172R airplane. The
cable was routed over the aileron auto pilot actuator pulley and the
cable was rubbing on the cable guard.
The FAA initially covered this issue with AD 98-13-41, Amendment
39-10634 (63 FR 34800, June 26, 1998). This AD requires, among other
things, inspecting the right wing of certain Cessna Model 172R
airplanes for an incorrectly routed, frayed, or damaged aileron control
cable, and re-routing any incorrectly routed cable or replacing any
frayed or damaged cable. Accomplishment of the inspection required by
AD 98-13-41 is required in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin
SB98-27-05, dated June 1, 1998.
AD 98-13-41 also requires reporting any incorrectly routed, frayed,
or damaged cable to the FAA.
The following serial numbers of the Cessna Model 172R airplanes
were inadvertently left out of the Applicability of AD 98-13-41:
17280437; 17280439; 17280454; 17280456; and 17280459.
Cessna has revised Service Bulletin SB98-27-05 to include these
serial numbers. Cessna Service Bulletin SB98-27-05 incorporates the
following pages:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pages Revision Level Date
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1, 2, 9 and 10.................. Revision 1........ August 17, 1998
3 through 8..................... Original Issue.... June 1, 1998
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The FAA's Determination
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available
information related to the incidents described above, including the
relevant service information, the FAA has determined that:
The inspections and possible correction and/or replacement of the
right wing aileron control cable required by AD 98-13-41 should also
apply to the 5 Model 172R airplanes previously referenced; and
AD action should be taken to prevent loss of aileron control caused
by a damaged or frayed aileron control cable, which could result in
loss of directional control of the airplane.
Explanation of the Provisions of the AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in these 5 Cessna Model 172R airplanes that are the
same type design to those included in AD 98-13-41, the FAA is issuing
an AD. This AD requires inspecting the right wing for an incorrectly
routed, frayed, or damaged aileron control cable, and re-routing any
incorrectly routed cable or replacing any frayed or damaged cable. The
AD also requires reporting any incorrectly routed, frayed, or damaged
cable to the FAA. Accomplishment of the inspection is required in
accordance with the previously referenced service information.
Accomplishment of the correction or replacement is required in
accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.
Determination of the Effective Date of the AD
Since a situation exists (possible loss of airplane directional
control) 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, 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. 98-CE-109-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:
[[Page 66746]]
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:
98-25-03 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-10925; Docket No.
98-CE-109-AD.
Applicability: Model 172R airplanes, serial numbers 17280437,
17280439, 17280454, 17280456, and 17280459; certificated in any
category, that were not factory equipped with an autopilot.
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 (e) 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 within the next 25 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent loss of aileron control caused by a damaged or frayed
aileron control cable, which could result in loss of directional
control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect the right wing for an incorrectly routed, frayed, or
damaged aileron control cable, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions in Cessna Service Bulletin SB98-27-05, which
incorporates the following pages:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pages Revision Level Date
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1, 2, 9 and 10.................. Revision 1........ August 17, 1998
3 through 8..................... Original Issue.... June 1, 1998
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(b) Prior to further flight, re-route any incorrectly routed
cable and replace any frayed or damaged cable, in accordance with
the applicable maintenance manual.
(c) If an incorrectly routed, damaged, or frayed cable is found
during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, at the
applicable time specified in paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this AD,
submit a report of inspection findings to the Manager, Wichita
Manufacturing Inspection Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 101, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas, 67209; telephone: (316) 946-
4175; facsimile: (316) 946-4452. The report must include the
condition found, date of inspection, and the serial number of the
airplane. Information collection requirements contained in this
regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number
2120-0056.
(1) For airplanes on which the inspection is accomplished after
the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days
after performing the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this
AD.
(2) For airplanes on which the inspection has been accomplished
prior to the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10
days after the effective date of this AD.
(d) 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.
(e) 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 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.
(f) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SB98-27-05, which
incorporates the following pages:
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Pages Revision Level Date
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1, 2, 9 and 10.................. Revision 1........ August 17, 1998
3 through 8..................... Original Issue.... June 1, 1998
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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,
P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277. Copies may be inspected at the
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 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.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on December 18, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 24, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-32044 Filed 12-2-98; 8:45 am]
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