[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 174 (Thursday, September 7, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54182-54184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22910]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 174 / Thursday, September 7, 2000 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 54182]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-65-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Model 500 Series 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 500 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require inspection of the piston housing 
for an ``SB'' impression stamp; a one-time inspection of the brake 
assembly to detect cracked or broken brake stator disks; and 
replacement of the brake assembly with a new or serviceable assembly, 
if necessary. The proposal is prompted by several reports of wheel 
lockups that appear to be caused by cracked or broken brake stator 
disks becoming jammed in the brake assembly and preventing rotation. 
Such jamming of the brake assembly may result in reduced directional 
control or braking performance during landing.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 23, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-65-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232 
or sent via the Internet using the following address: [email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must contain 
``Docket No. 2000-NM-65-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 
ASCI II text.
    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, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shane Bertish, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, 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 Number 2000-NM-65-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-65-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of wheel lockups after release of 
brakes following landing. The lockups adversely affect braking 
performance and directional control and appear to be associated with 
cracks in the brake stator disks. If multiple cracks extend completely 
through the stator, a piece of the disk may break loose and slip down, 
jamming the wheel/tire assembly. If not corrected, this condition could 
result in the wheel/tire assembly becoming locked in place and 
consequent reduced directional control or braking performance during 
landing.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Cessna Service Bulletin SB500-32-
47, dated February 22, 2000, which transmits BFGoodrich Service 
Bulletin 2-1530-32-2, Revision No. 1, dated February 3, 2000, and 
Cessna Service Bulletins SB500-32-48 and SB550-32-41, both dated 
February 22, 2000, which transmit BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 2-1528-
32-2, Revision No. 1, dated February 3, 2000.
    BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 2-1528-32-2, Revision 1 applies to 
airplanes equipped with BFGoodrich brake assembly part number P/N 2-
1528-6, and Service Bulletin 2-1530-32-2, Revision 1 applies to 
airplanes equipped with BFGoodrich brake assembly P/N 2-1530-4. These 
service bulletins describe procedures for inspection for certain 
letters impression-stamped on the piston housing or the stator disks; 
inspection of the brake

[[Page 54183]]

assembly for cracked or broken stator disks, if no such impression 
stamps are found; and replacement of the brake assembly with a new or 
serviceable brake assembly.

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 bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 370 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 259 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour, and that it would take up to 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection if the inspection were 
done at the time of a tire change and up to 4 work hours per airplane 
if the inspection were done at a different time. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $15,540, or $60 per airplane, for inspections of the 
brake assembly done at the time of a tire change and up to $62,160, or 
$240 per airplane, for inspections done at a different time.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
proposed AD and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this proposed AD were not adopted.
    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 Airplane Company: Docket 2000-NM-65-AD.

    Applicability: Model 500 and 501 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 0001 through 0689 inclusive, and Model 550 and 551 series 
airplanes, serial numbers 0002 through 0733 inclusive; certificated 
in any category; equipped with BFGoodrich brake assembly part number 
(P/N) 2-1528-6 or 2-1530-4.

    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 (c) 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 wheel/tire assembly, which could 
result in a loss of directional control or braking performance upon 
landing, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within the next 50 landings or 90 days after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the brake assembly 
for an ``SB'' impression stamped on the piston housing, as shown in 
Figure 1 of BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 2-1528-32-2, Revision 1 (for 
airplanes equipped with BFGoodrich brake assembly P/N 2-1528-6) or 
Service Bulletin 2-1530-32-2, Revision 1 (for airplanes equipped 
with BFGoodrich brake assembly P/N 2-1530-4), both dated February 3, 
2000, as applicable. If an ``SB'' is impression-stamped on the 
piston housing, no further action is required by this AD.
    (b) Within the next 50 landings or 90 days after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the stator disks 
for a CHG AI or a CHG B or higher letter impression-stamped on the 
disk, in accordance with BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 2-1528-32-2, 
Revision 1 (for airplanes equipped with BFGoodrich bake assembly P/N 
2-1528-6) or Service Bulletin 2-1530-32-2, Revision 1 (for airplanes 
equipped with BF Goodrich brake assembly P/N 2-1530-4), both dated 
February 3, 2000, as applicable. Unless both stator disks are so 
marked, perform paragraph (b)(1).
    (1) When the brake assembly has accumulated 376 total landings 
since its installation or within 50 landings on the airplane after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a 
detailed visual inspection for cracked or broken disks in accordance 
with the applicable service bulletin.
    (i) If no cracked or broken stator disks are found, the brake 
assembly can be re-assembled and used until a total of 700 landings 
are accumulated on the brake assembly at which time the brake 
assembly must be removed and replaced with a new or serviceable 
brake assembly.
    (ii) If any cracked or broken stator disk is found, prior to 
further flight, the brake assembly must be replaced with a new or 
serviceable brake assembly.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

    (2) When the brake assembly has accumulated 700 total landings 
since its installation or within 50 landings on the airplane after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, replace the 
brake assembly with a new or serviceable brake assembly, in 
accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

Alternative Method of Compliance

    (c) 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. Operators shall submit their requests through

[[Page 54184]]

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

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 31, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-22910 Filed 9-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P