[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6499-6502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-1665]


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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); Extension of the comment 
period.

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

SUMMARY: This document provides additional time for the public to 
comment on a proposal 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 wheels that are cracked or that do 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. Comments received on the 
original notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) specify additional time 
to respond to the proposed action. 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 April 4, 2001. This is extended from 
February 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send three copies of comments 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 read 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 read 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

[[Page 6500]]

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.
    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.
    We issued an NPRM that proposed to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
to certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) 150, 172, 175, 180, 182, 
185, 206, 210, and 336 series airplanes. The NPRM 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 has happened to cause FAA to issue this document? We received 
comments on the NPRM indicating the need for more time to provide data 
on the proposed AD. Based on these comments and the interest in the 
rule expressed by various operators and other interested parties, FAA 
has decided to extend the comment period on this rule to seek 
additional data. Therefore, the comment period is extended 
approximately 60 days and will close April 4, 2001.
    We are including additional preamble information and the actual AD 
for the reader's convenience.
    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 for 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:

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

    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:


[[Page 6501]]


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 Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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. 
These airplanes carry unique serial numbers that are not in sequence 
with other airplane serial numbers.

    (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:

[[Page 6502]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions              Compliance times         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Check your maintenance    Required within 100   No special
 records to determine          hours time-in-        procedures required
 whether this AD applies to    service (TIS) after   to check the
 your airplane by doing the    the effective date    maintenance
 following:                    of this AD.           records.
(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          Before further        Do this following
 airplane where at least one   flight after the      the instructions of
 0513166 series plastic        maintenance records   Cessna Service
 control wheel is installed,   check or within 100   Letter No. 64-8,
 do the following:             hour TIS after the    dated February 14,
(i) Inspect each control       effective date of     1964.
 wheel for cracks; and         this AD, and
(ii) Conduct a pull test on    reinspect afterward
 each control wheel            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       Do this replacement   Do the replacements
 control wheel or any          before further        following the
 control wheel that does not   flight after the      instructions in the
 pass any pull test, with an   inspection where      applicable
 FAA-approved control wheel    the cracked or        maintenance or
 that is not a 0513166         failed control        service manual.
 series plastic control        wheel is found.
 wheel.
(4) Do not install, on any    As of the effective   Not Applicable.
 affected airplane, a          date of this AD.
 0513166 series plastic
 control wheel.
(5) You may replace all       You may replace all   Do the replacements
 control wheels with wheels    control wheels at     following the
 that are not part number      any time, except      instructions in the
 0513166, as terminating       for those control     applicable
 action for the repetitive     wheels that are       maintenance or
 inspection and test           cracked or do not     service manual.
 requirement of this AD.       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 January 11, 2001.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-1665 Filed 1-19-01; 8:45 am]
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