[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 153 (Tuesday, August 8, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48401-48402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20004]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-63-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 removal of a certain existing 
bulkhead web doubler, installation of left and right bulkhead web 
doublers, and enlargement of the lightening holes. This action is 
necessary to prevent jamming of the roll control system, due to 
inadequate clearance between the control cable and the web, which could 
result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 22, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000 NM-63-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232 
or be sent via the Internet using the following address: [email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must contain 
``Docket No. 2000-NM-63-AD'' in the subject line and need not be 
submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Cessna Aircraft Company, 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: Shane Bertish, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, 
Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 
946-4156; 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.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 No. 2000-NM-63-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. 2000-NM-63-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report indicating that an aileron had jammed 
temporarily on a Cessna Model 750 airplane, causing difficulty in 
rolling the airplane to the left. The roll control system (ailerons and 
spoilers) can jam due to inadequate clearance between the control cable 
and the bulkhead web and result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Cessna Service Bulletin 750-53-
19, dated January 20, 2000, which describes procedures for removing a 
certain existing bulkhead web doubler, installing new left and right 
bulkhead web doublers, and enlarging the lightening holes. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the 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

    The FAA estimates that 95 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 8 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed installation, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The manufacturer has 
committed previously to its customers that it will bear the cost of 
replacement parts. As a result, the cost of those parts is 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 $45,600, 
or $480 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 proposed AD were not adopted. However, the FAA has 
been advised that manufacturer warranty remedies

[[Page 48402]]

are available for 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.
    The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions 
represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions 
actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include 
incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close 
up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative 
actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 No. 2000-NM-63 AD.

    Applicability: Model 750 airplanes, having manufacturer's serial 
numbers -0001 through -0102 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 accordance with paragraph (d) 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 jamming of the roll control system (ailerons and 
spoilers), which could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Removal

    (a) Within 200 flight hours or 180 days after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the bulkhead web for an 
existing round bulkhead web doubler, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Cessna Service Bulletin 750-53-19, 
dated January 20, 2000. If there is a round bulkhead web doubler 
having part number (P/N) 6711093-38, prior to further flight, remove 
the doubler in accordance with the service bulletin.

Installation

    (b) Within 200 flight hours or 180 days after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, install a new right bulkhead web 
doubler having P/N 6791213-4 and a left bulkhead web doubler having 
P/N 6791213-3 and enlarge the lightening holes, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Cessna Service Bulletin 750-53-
19, dated January 20, 2000.
    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a bulkhead web doubler having P/N 6711093-38, on any airplane.

Alternative Method of Compliance

    (d) 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 2: 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

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington on August 2, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-20004 Filed 8-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P