[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 213 (Thursday, November 4, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60136-60138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28848]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-218-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Model 750 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Cessna Model 750 
airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of reset circuit 
breakers for the auxiliary hydraulic pump system and the King KHF 950 
high frequency communication system(s) with new circuit breakers. This 
proposal is prompted by a report from the airplane manufacturer 
indicating that the trip levels for the reset circuit breakers 
installed in the auxiliary hydraulic pump system and the King KHF 950 
high frequency system(s) are too high, which can prevent corresponding 
high current remote control circuit breakers from tripping when 
excessive electrical loads are present. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent overloading of the affected 
airplane electrical wiring and circuits, which could result in a fire.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 20, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-218-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Cessna Aircraft Co., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 
67277. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 
Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raymond Johnston, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-

[[Page 60137]]

116W, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, 
Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4151; fax (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 shall 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 summarizing 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 Number 99-NM-218-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, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 99-NM-218-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report from the manufacturer of Cessna Model 
750 airplanes indicating that the trip levels for the reset circuit 
breakers installed in the auxiliary hydraulic pump system and the King 
KHF 950 high frequency communication system(s) are too high. 
Investigation has revealed that engineering drawings incorrectly called 
out 5.0-ampere reset circuit breakers instead of 0.5-ampere reset 
circuit breakers. This condition can prevent the reset circuit 
breakers' corresponding high current remote control circuit breakers 
from tripping when excessive electrical loads are present. This 
condition, if not corrected, could lead to overloading of the affected 
airplane electrical wiring and circuits, and a possible fire.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-24-
15, Revision 1, dated May 24, 1999, which describes procedures for 
replacement of the 5.0-ampere reset circuit breakers for the auxiliary 
hydraulic pump system and the King KHF 950 high frequency communication 
systems, with 0.5-ampere circuit breakers. Accomplishment of the 
actions specified in this service bulletin is intended to adequately 
address the identified unsafe condition.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 82 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 80 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The airplane 
manufacturer has committed previously to its customers that it will 
bear the cost of replacement parts. As a result, the costs of those 
parts are not attributable to this proposed AD. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$14,400, or $180 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of 
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in 
the future if this AD were not adopted. However, the FAA has been 
advised that manufacturer warranty remedies are available for parts and 
labor costs associated with accomplishing the actions required by this 
proposed AD. Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on 
U.S. operators may be less than the cost impact figure indicated above.

Regulatory Impact

    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 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) 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 is contained 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket 99-NM-218-AD.

    Applicability: Model 750 airplanes, serial numbers -0001 through 
-0100 inclusive, 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

[[Page 60138]]

accordance with paragraph (b) 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, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent overloading of certain airplane electrical wiring and 
circuits, which could result in a fire, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the 5.0-ampere reset circuit breakers for the auxiliary hydraulic 
pump system and the King KHF 950 high frequency communication 
system(s) with 0.5-ampere reset circuit breakers, in accordance with 
Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-24-15, Revision 1, dated May 24, 1999.

    Note 2: Circuit breaker replacement accomplished prior to the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin 
SB750-24-15, dated May 7, 1999, is considered acceptable for 
compliance with the applicable action specified in this amendment.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
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.

Special Flight Permits

    (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.
    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 29, 1999.
D. L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-28848 Filed 11-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U