[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 51 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12978-12981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5294]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20438; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-03-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172R, 
172S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 172R, 172S, 182T, 
T182T, 206H, and T206H airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to 
inspect any MC01-3A I.C. 9 or MC01-3A I.C. 10 main electrical power 
junction box circuit breakers for correct amperage (amp) (a correct 40-
amp circuit breaker) and replace any incorrect amp circuit breaker with 
the correct 40-amp circuit breaker. This proposed AD results from 
several reports of circuit breakers that are not the correct 40-amp 
circuit breaker installed in the MC01-3A main electrical power junction 
box. We are issuing this proposed AD to replace any incorrect circuit 
breaker installed in the MC01-3A I.C. 9 or MC01-3A I.C. 10 main 
electrical power junction box, which could result in premature tripping 
of the power junction box main feeder circuit breakers and could lead 
to partial or complete loss of all electrical power on the airplane. 
This failure could lead to the loss of all navigation and communication 
equipment and lighting in the cockpit.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by May 16, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed 
AD:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-001.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    To get the service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, 
Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; facsimile: (316) 942-
9006.
    To view the comments to this proposed AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. 
The docket number is FAA-2005-20438; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-03-
AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jose Flores, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1801 Airport Road, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4133; facsimile: (316) 946-
4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any 
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. 
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include the 
docket number, ``FAA-2005-20438; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-03-AD'' 
at the beginning of your comments. We will post all comments we 
receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal 
information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed 
rulemaking. Using the search function of our docket Web site, anyone

[[Page 12979]]

can find and read the comments received into any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
This is docket number FAA-2005-20438; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
03-AD. You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and 
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will 
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.

Docket Information

    Where can I go to view the docket information? You may view the AD 
docket that contains the proposal, any comments received, and any final 
disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m. (eastern standard time), Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-647-5227) is located on 
the plaza level of the Department of Transportation NASSIF Building at 
the street address stated in ADDRESSES. You may also view the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? Cessna has reported three 
cases of incorrect amperage (amp) circuit breakers installed in the 
MC01-3A I.C. 9 (part number (P/N) S3100-297) or MC01-3A I.C. 10 (P/N 
S3100-344) main electrical power junction box. The design of the main 
electrical power junction box requires 40-amp circuit breakers. Two of 
the three cases of incorrect circuit breakers were found in Cessna 
production and a third was found in Cessna spares.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Any incorrect 
circuit breaker installed in the MC01-3A main electrical power junction 
box could result in premature tripping of the power junction box main 
feeder circuit breakers, which could lead to partial or complete loss 
of all electrical power on the airplane. This failure could lead to the 
loss of all navigation and communication equipment and lighting in the 
cockpit.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Cessna 
has issued Service Bulletin No. SB05-24-01, dated January 31, 2005.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for:

--Inspecting any MC01-3A I.C. 9 or MC01-3A I.C. 10 main electrical 
power junction box circuit breakers for any circuit breaker that is not 
a required 40-amp circuit breaker; and
--Replacing any incorrect circuit breaker with the correct 40-amp 
circuit breaker.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? We have evaluated all pertinent information 
and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop 
on other products of this same type design. For this reason, we are 
proposing AD action.
    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service 
bulletin.
    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On 
July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 
47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation 
now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material 
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is 
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD 
actions.

Costs of Compliance

    How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 778 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to 
do this proposed inspection:

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                                                          Total cost per
            Labor cost                   Parts cost          airplane          Total cost on  U.S. operators
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1 work hour x $65 = $65..........  None.................            $65   778 x $65 = $50,570.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of this proposed 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that 
may need this replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work hour x $65 = $65...............             $40             $105
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

[[Page 12980]]

Regulatory Findings

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have determined 
that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under 
Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
AD:
    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. 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD 
and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket FAA-2005-20438; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-03-AD'' in 
your request.

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 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2005-20438; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-03-AD.

When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?

    (a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD) by May 16, 2005.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the following airplane models and serial 
numbers that are certificated in any category:

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                       Model                                                 Serial Nos.
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172R...............................................  17281186 through 17281232.
172S...............................................  172S9476 through 172S9689, and 172S9691 through 172S9770.
182T...............................................  18281242 through 18281502, 18281506, and 18281507.
T182T..............................................  T18208212 through T18208357.
206H...............................................  20608195 through 20608223, 20608225, and 20608226.
T206H..............................................  T20608410 through T20608475, T20608477 through T20608501,
                                                      T20608503, and T20608506.
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What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of several reports of circuit breakers 
that are not the correct 40-amp circuit breaker installed in the 
MC01-3A I.C. 9 or MC01-3A I.C. 10 main electrical power junction 
box. The actions specified in this AD are intended to replace any 
incorrect circuit breaker installed in the MC01-3A main electrical 
power junction box, which could result in premature tripping of the 
power junction box main feeder circuit breakers and could lead to 
partial or complete loss of all electrical power on the airplane. 
This failure could lead to the loss of all navigation and 
communication equipment and lighting in the cockpit.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

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                  Actions                                Compliance                        Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect any MC01-3A I.C. 9 (part number  Within the next 30 days after the  Follow Cessna Service Bulletin
 (P/N) S3100-297) or MC01-3A I.C. 10 (P/N     effective date of this AD,         No. SB05-24-01, dated January
 S3100-344) main electrical power junction    unless already done.               31, 2005.
 box for any incorrect amperage (amp)
 circuit beaker installed in place of the
 required 40-amp circuit breakers.
(2) Replace any incorrect amp circuit        Before further flight after the    Follow Cessna Service Bulletin
 breaker with the required 40-amp circuit     inspection required by paragraph   No. SB05-24-01, dated January
 breaker.                                     (e)(1) of this AD.                 31, 2005.
(3) Only install in any MC01-3A I.C. 9 (P/N  As of the effective date of this   Not Applicable.
 S3100-297) or MC01-3A I.C. 10 (P/N S3100-    AD.
 344) main electrical power junction box
 the required 40-amp circuit breakers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For information on any already 
approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Jose Flores, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita, 
Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4133; facsimile: (316) 946-4107.

May I Obtain a Special Flight Permit for the Initial Inspection 
Requirement of This AD?

    (g) Yes, special flight permits are allowed per 14 CFR 39.19 
provided airplane operations are limited to Day/visual flight rules 
(VFR) flight.

May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?

    (h) To get copies of the documents referenced in this AD, 
contact Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, 
Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; facsimile: (316) 
942-9006. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management 
Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the

[[Page 12981]]

Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-
2005-20438; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-03-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 10, 2005.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5294 Filed 3-16-05; 8:45 am]
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