[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 140 (Monday, July 22, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47679-47680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-18199]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 140 / Monday, July 22, 2002 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 47679]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-388-AD; Amendment 39-12824; AD 2002-14-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Model 650 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Cessna Model 650 airplanes, that requires a one-
time inspection of the side brace mechanism assemblies of the left and 
right main landing gears (MLG) to detect any incorrect part number, and 
corrective actions if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent 
inadvertent disengagement of the locking mechanism of the side brace 
mechanism assembly, which could lead to collapse of the respective MLG, 
and result in a gear-up landing and possible injury to passengers and 
crew. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective August 26, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 26, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert P. Busto, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent 
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4157; fax (316) 
946-4407.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Cessna Model 650 airplanes 
was published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2002 (67 FR 14893). 
That action proposed to require a one-time inspection of the side brace 
mechanism assemblies of the left and right main landing gears (MLG) to 
detect any incorrect part number, and corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.

Support for the Proposal

    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 353 Model 650 airplanes of the affected 
design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 282 airplanes of 
U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 10 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $169,200, or $600 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this 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 adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) Is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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.

[[Page 47680]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

2002-14-24  Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-12824. Docket 
2000-NM-388-AD.

    Applicability: Model 650 airplanes, serial numbers -0001 through 
-0241 inclusive, and serial numbers -7001 through -7112 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 (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 inadvertent disengagement of the locking mechanism of 
the side brace mechanism assembly of the left or right main landing 
gear (MLG), which could lead to collapse of the respective MLG, and 
result in gear-up landing and possible injury to passengers and 
crew; accomplish the following:

One-Time Inspection

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
one-time inspection of the side brace mechanism assemblies of the 
left and right MLGs to detect any incorrect part number (P/N) found 
installed, as specified in Cessna Service Bulletin SB650-32-47, 
including Cessna Service Bulletin Supplemental Data SB650-32-47, 
both dated August 14, 2000.
    (1) If the correct part number is found installed on the left 
side brace mechanism assembly, P/N 6217076-201, and on the right 
side brace mechanism assembly, P/N 6217076-202, no further action is 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

Corrective Action

    (2) If incorrect P/N 6217076-2, 6217076-4, or 6217076-9 is found 
installed on either the left or right side brace mechanism assembly: 
Prior to further flight, replace any incorrect left side brace 
mechanism assembly with a new, improved assembly, P/N 6217076-201; 
and replace any incorrect right side brace mechanism assembly with a 
new, improved assembly, P/N 6217076-202; per Cessna Service Bulletin 
SB650-32-47, including Cessna Service Bulletin Supplemental Data 
SB650-32-47, both dated August 14, 2000. After the replacement 
action, no further action is required by this AD.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a left or right MLG side brace mechanism assembly, P/N 6217076-2, 
6217076-4, or 6217076-9, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods 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 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

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Cessna Service 
Bulletin SB650-32-47, including Cessna Service Bulletin Supplemental 
Data SB650-32-47, both dated August 14, 2000. This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Cessna Aircraft Co., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 
67277. Copies may be inspected 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; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 26, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 11, 2002.
Lorio Liu-Nelson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-18199 Filed 7-19-02; 8:45 am]
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