[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 151 (Wednesday, August 6, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46514-46516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19984]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-332-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Model 650 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 650 
airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive replacement of the 
horizontal stabilizer primary trim actuator assembly (HSTA) with a 
repaired assembly. This action is necessary to prevent uncommanded 
movement of the horizontal stabilizer, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 22, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-332-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. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-332-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 Co., PO 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.

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) 
946-4107.

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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] 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

[[Page 46515]]

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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2002-NM-332-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. 2002-NM-332-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports indicating that the ability of the no-
back feature of the horizontal stabilizer primary trim actuator (HSTA) 
assembly, a design feature to prevent uncommanded movement of the 
horizontal stabilizer, could be degraded on Cessna Model 650 airplanes. 
The degradation is thought to be the result of a combination of 
assembly tolerances and a change in friction due to wear. Should the 
no-back feature of the HSTA assembly be degraded, an additional HSTA 
failure could cause the horizontal stabilizer to move when air loads 
are applied to it during flight. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in the uncommanded movement of the horizontal stabilizer, 
which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Cessna Service Bulletin SB650-27-
50, dated June 12, 2002, which describes procedures for replacement of 
the HSTA assembly part number 9914056-3 or 9914056-4 with a repaired 
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 bulletin described previously, except as discussed below.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin

    Operators should note that, although the service bulletin 
recommends accomplishing a one-time replacement of the HSTA assembly, 
the FAA has determined that a one-time replacement would not ensure 
that the identified unsafe condition would not reoccur after 
replacement. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this 
proposed AD, the FAA considered not only the manufacturer's 
recommendation, but the degree of urgency associated with addressing 
the subject unsafe condition, the likelihood that degradation in the 
no-back design feature of the HSTA assembly would reoccur, the average 
utilization of the affected fleet, and the time necessary to replace 
the HSTA assembly (approximately 35 hours). In light of all of these 
factors, the FAA finds that periodic replacement of the HSTA assembly 
at intervals not to exceed 18 months, to be warranted, in that it 
represents an appropriate interval of time allowable for affected 
airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the Proposed AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance (AMOCs). Because we have now included this material in part 
39, only the office authorized to approve AMOCs is identified in each 
individual AD.

Change to Labor Rate Estimate

    We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several 
years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various 
inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to 
increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work 
hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects 
this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 357 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 285 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
35 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and 
that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. The manufacturer has 
indicated that it would provide the required parts at no cost. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $648,375 or $2,275 per airplane per replacement cycle. 
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:


[[Page 46516]]


    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 2002-NM-332-AD.

    Applicability: Model 650 airplanes, serial numbers 0001 through 
0171 inclusive, 0173 through 0241 inclusive, 7001 through 7094 
inclusive, and 7096 through 7119 inclusive; certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent uncommanded movement of the horizontal stabilizer, 
which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the horizontal stabilizer primary trim actuator (HSTA) 
assembly part number 9914056-3 or 9914056-4, with a repaired 
assembly, part number 9914056-3 or 9914056-4; in accordance with 
Cessna Service Bulletin SB650-27-50, dated June 12, 2002. Repeat the 
replacement thereafter at intervals not to exceed 18 months.

    Note 1: Having the letter ``B'' following the part serial number 
(for example, SER. NO. 13B) identifies a repaired HSTA assembly, 
part number 9914056-3 or 9914056-4.

Parts Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an HSTA, part number 9914056-3 or 9914056-4, on any airplane, unless 
that HSTA has been repaired and reidentified with the letter ``B'' 
following the part serial number.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 31, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-19984 Filed 8-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P