[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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 2, 9 and 10..................  Revision 1........  August 17, 1998
3 through 8.....................  Original Issue....  June 1, 1998
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 2, 9 and 10..................  Revision 1........  August 17, 1998
3 through 8.....................  Original Issue....  June 1, 1998
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Pages                 Revision Level           Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 2, 9 and 10..................  Revision 1........  August 17, 1998
3 through 8.....................  Original Issue....  June 1, 1998
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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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