[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 251 (Friday, December 29, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 82954-82957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-33230]


 ========================================================================
 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. 251 / Friday, December 29, 2000 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 82954]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-57-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company 150, 172, 175, 
180, 182, 185, 206, 210, and 336 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) 150, 
172, 175, 180, 182, 185, 206, 210, and 336 series airplanes. The 
proposed AD would affect those airplanes equipped with 0513166 series 
plastic control wheels. The proposed AD would require you to 
repetitively inspect these wheels for cracks, conduct a pull test on 
these wheels, and replace any control wheel with a crack or that does 
not pass the pull test. Replacement of the control wheels would be with 
ones that are FAA-approved and are not 0513166 series plastic control 
wheels. The proposed AD is the result of many incidents of control 
wheels cracking or breaking on the above-referenced airplanes. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect and correct 
cracked or defective control wheels, which could result in loss of 
control of the airplane during takeoff, landing, or ground operations.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule by February 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-57-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. You may inspect comments at this location between 
8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
    You may get the service information referenced in the proposed AD 
from Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, 
Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; facsimile: (316) 942-9006. You 
may examine this information at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eual Conditt, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4128; 
facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite your comments on 
the proposed rule. You may send whatever written data, views, or 
arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and 
send your comments in triplicate to the address named under the caption 
ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received by the closing date 
named above, before acting on the proposed rule. We may change the 
proposals contained in this notice because of the comments received.
    Are there any specific portions of the proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
rule that might call for a need to change the proposed rule. You may 
look at all comments we receive. We will file a report in the Rules 
Docket that summarizes each FAA contact with the public that concerns 
the substantive parts of this proposal.
    The FAA is reexamining the writing style we currently use in 
regulatory documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of 
June 1, 1998. That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate 
more clearly with the public. We are interested in your comments on the 
ease of understanding this document, and any other suggestions you 
might have to improve the clarity of FAA communications that affect 
you. You can get more information about the Presidential memorandum and 
the plain language initiative at http://www.faa.gov/language/.
    How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want us to 
acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you must include a self-
addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to 
Docket No. 98-CE-57-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard back 
to you.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The FAA has received 
reports of many incidents of control wheels cracking or breaking on 
Cessna 150, 172, 175, 180, 182, 185, 206, 210, and 336 series 
airplanes. The problem control wheels are 0513166 series plastic 
control wheels.
    The cause of this problem is because of temperature variations in 
the molding process during manufacture of the control wheels and 
deterioration with age and temperature extremes.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? This 
condition could result in the control wheels breaking while the 
airplane is in operation. A consequent loss of control of the airplane 
during takeoff, landing, or ground operations could occur.

Relevant Service Information

    What service information applies to this subject? Cessna Service 
Letter 64-8, dated February 14, 1964, contains information that applies 
to this subject.
    What are the provisions of this service bulletin? The service 
letter describes procedures for inspecting and pull testing the control 
wheels.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of the 
Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? After examining the circumstances and 
reviewing all available information related to the incidents described 
above, we have determined that:
     The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or 
could develop on other Cessna 150, 172, 175, 180, 182, 185, 206, 210, 
and 336 series airplanes of the same type design that are equipped with 
0513166 series plastic control wheels;
     These airplanes should have the actions specified in the 
above service letter incorporated; and
     The FAA should take AD action to correct this unsafe 
condition.

[[Page 82955]]

    What does this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to:
     Repetitively inspect and pull test the 0513166 series 
control wheels; and
     if necessary, replace any control wheels that fail the 
inspection or pull test.
    What are the differences between the service bulletin and the 
proposed AD? The Cessna service letter specifies inspecting and testing 
the control wheels as soon as possible and positively by the next 100-
hour inspection. We propose that you inspect and pull test the control 
wheels and replace (if necessary) the control wheels within 100 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this proposed AD, and 
then at intervals not to exceed 12 months until the control wheels are 
replaced.
    We believe that these compliance times will give the owners or 
operators of the affected airplanes enough time to have the proposed 
actions performed without compromising the safety of the airplanes.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate the 
proposed AD would affect 12,592 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of the proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to 
do the proposed inspection and pull test:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost        Total cost per airplane         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 hour at $60 each hour..............  No parts are required..  1 hour  x  $60 = $60...  12,592 airplanes  x
                                                                                          $60 for each airplane
                                                                                          = $755,520.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary control wheel 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection and pull test. We have no way of determining the 
number of airplanes that may need such control wheel replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Total cost per
           Labor cost                 Parts cost           airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 hour at $60 for each hour.....  $597 for each       $60 + $597 = $657.
                                   control wheel.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These figures only consider the cost of the first inspection and 
test and do not account for repetitive inspections and tests. We do not 
have any means of finding out the number of repetitive inspections and 
tests the owner/operator would incur over the life of an affected 
airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    How would this proposed AD impact various entities? The proposed 
regulations 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. We have determined that this proposed rule would not 
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    Does this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
action (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under Department of 
Transportation Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, 
February 26, 1979); and (3) if put into effect, will not have a 
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a large number of 
small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. We 
have placed a copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this 
action in the Rules Docket. You may get a copy of it 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, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. 98-CE-57-AD.
    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following airplanes that are certificated in any category and 
incorporate at least one 0513166 series plastic control wheel:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Model                           Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
150...............................  17684 through 17999, 59001 through
                                     59018 and 617.
150A..............................  15059019 through 15059350 and 628.
150B..............................  15059351 through 15059700.
150C..............................  15060088 through 15060772.
172A..............................  46755 through 47746; 622 and 625.
172B..............................  17247747 through 17248734 and 630.
172C..............................  17248735 through 17249544.
172D..............................  17249545 through 17250572.
172E..............................  17259573 through 17250872 and 639.
P172..............................  P17257120 through P17257188.
175A..............................  56239 through 56777 and 619.
175B..............................  17556778 through 17557002.
175C..............................  17557003 through 17557119.

[[Page 82956]]

 
180C..............................  50662 through 50911 and 624.
180D..............................  18050912 through 18051063.
180E..............................  18051064 through 18051183.
180F..............................  18051184 through 18051312.
180G..............................  18051313 through 18051329.
182C..............................  52359 through 53007 and 631.
182D..............................  18253008 through 18253598 and 51623.
182E..............................  18253599 through 18254423.
182F..............................  18254424 through 18255058.
182G..............................  18255059 through 18255113.
185...............................  185-0001 through 185-0237 and 632.
185A..............................  185-0238 through 185-0512.
185B..............................  185-0513 through 185-0653.
185C..............................  185-0654 through 185-0663.
206...............................  206-0001 through 206-0062.
210...............................  57001 through 57575 and 618.
210A..............................  21057576 through 21057840 and 616.
210B..............................  21057841 through 21058085.
210C..............................  21058086 through 21058220.
210D..............................  21058221 through 21058240.
210-5 (205).......................  205-0001 through 205-0480 and 641.
210-5A (205A).....................  205-0481 through 205-0520.
336...............................  336-0001 through 336-0195.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: Serial numbers 616 through 619; 622, 624, 625, 628, 630 
through 632, 639, 641, and 51623 are engineering-fabricated 
prototype airplanes that were used for prototypes and then sold as 
normally licensed airplanes. These airplanes carry serial numbers 
that are not in the normal sequence and have unique serials.

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct cracked or defective 
control wheels, which could result in loss of control of the 
airplane during takeoff, landing, or ground operations.
    (d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this 
problem, you must do the following actions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions               Compliance times       Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Check your maintenance        Required within     No special
 records to determine whether      100 hours time-in-  procedures
 this AD applies to your           service (TIS)       required to check
 airplane by doing the             after the           the maintenance
 following:                        effective date of   records
                                   this AD.
(i) Check the maintenance
 records to determine whether a
 0513166 series plastic control
 wheel is installed. The owner/
 operator holding at least a
 private pilot certificate as
 authorized by section 43.7 of
 the Federal Aviation
 Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may
 check the maintenance records.
(ii) If, by checking the
 maintenance records, the pilot
 can positively show that no
 0513166 series plastic control
 wheels are installed, then the
 inspection, testing, and
 replacement requirements of
 this AD do not apply. The AD is
 complied with after you make an
 entry into the aircraft records
 that shows compliance with this
 portion of the AD, in
 accordance with section 43.9 of
 the Federal Aviation
 Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
(2) For any affected airplane     Before further      Do this following
 where at least one 0513166        flight after the    the instructions
 series plastic control wheel is   maintenance         of Cessna Service
 installed, do the following:      records check or    Letter No. 64-8,
(i) inspect each control wheel     within 100 hours    dated February
 for cracks; and.                  TIS after the       14, 1964
(ii) conduct a pull test on each   effective date of
 control wheel.                    this AD, and
                                   reinspect
                                   afterward at
                                   intervals not to
                                   exceed 12 months
                                   until all control
                                   wheels are
                                   replaced with FAA-
                                   approved control
                                   wheels that are
                                   not 0513166
                                   series plastic
                                   control wheels.
(3) Replace any cracked control   Do this             Do the
 wheel or any control wheel that   replacement         replacements
 does not pass any pull test,      before further      following the
 with an FAA-approved control      flight after the    instructions in
 wheel that is not a 0513166       inspection where    the applicable
 series plastic control wheel.     the cracked or      maintenance or
                                   failed control      service manual
                                   wheel is found.
(4) Do not install, on any        As of the           Not Applicable
 affected airplane, a 0513166      effective date of
 series plastic control wheel.     this AD.

[[Page 82957]]

 
(5) You may replace all control   You may replace     Do the
 wheels with wheels that are not   all control         replacements
 part number 0513166, as           wheels at any       following the
 terminating action for the        time, except for    instructions in
 repetitive inspection and test    those control       the applicable
 requirement of this AD.           wheels that are     maintenance or
                                   cracked or do not   service manual
                                   pass a pull test.
                                   Such wheels must
                                   be replaced prior
                                   to further
                                   flight, as
                                   required by
                                   paragraph (d)(3)
                                   of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
approves your alternative. Send your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.

    Note 2: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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. You should 
include in the request an assessment of the effect of the 
modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if you have not eliminated the unsafe 
condition, specific actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Eual Conditt, Aerospace 
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 
946-4128; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may get the service information referenced in the AD from Cessna 
Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 
67277; or you may examine this document at FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 19, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-33230 Filed 12-28-00; 8:45 am]
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