[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 110 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33720-33723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11454]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21173; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-22-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Cessna Aircraft Company Models 401, 
401A, 401B, 402, 402A, 402B, 402C, 404, 411, 411A, 414, 414A, 421, 
421A, 421B, 421C, 425, and 441 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 The Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 401, 401A, 
401B, 402, 402A, 402B, 402C, 404, 411, 411A, 414, 414A, 421, 421A, 
421B, 421C, 425, and 441 airplanes equipped with certain avionics bus 
circuit breaker switches. This proposed AD would require you to inspect 
the avionics bus circuit breaker switch to determine the date code and 
replace any without a date code. This proposed AD would also impose a 
1,000-hour safe life limit on avionics bus circuit breaker switches 
with a date code earlier than 0434. This proposed AD results from 
reports of smoke and a burning smell in the cockpit. We are issuing 
this proposed AD to prevent failure of the avionics bus circuit breaker 
switch, which could result in smoke and a burning smell in the cockpit. 
This failure could lead to reduced ability to control the airplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by August 9, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed 
AD:

[[Page 33721]]

     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 The 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-2005-21173; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-22-
AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerald Pilj, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 
67209; telephone: (316) 946-4151; 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-2005-21173; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-22-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 
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-2005-21173; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
22-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? We have received failure 
reports of certain Tyco Electronics circuit breaker switches installed 
on the master avionics bus of Cessna Models 401, 401A, 401B, 402, 402A, 
402B, 402C, 404, 411, 411A, 414, 414A, 421, 421A, 421B, 421C, 425, and 
441 airplanes. Failure of these circuit breaker switches cause smoke 
and a burning smell in the cockpit.
    Analysis of the circuit breaker switch revealed the copper braid 
inside the switch had frayed. Continued use causes an internal short. 
The internal short could result in the internal switch components or 
external wiring melting because it is no longer protected by the 
circuit breaker.
    The affected circuit breaker switches have a date code earlier than 
0434 or do not have a date code on them.
    The date code consists of four digits. The first two represent the 
year and the last two represent the week of the year the part was made.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If not 
prevented, failure of the avionics bus circuit breaker switch could 
cause smoke and a burning smell in the cockpit. This failure could lead 
to reduced ability to control the airplane.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Cessna 
has issued the following service bulletins:

--Multi-engine Service Bulletin MEB05-1, dated February 21, 2005, which 
applies to Models 401, 401A, 401B, 402, 402A, 402B, 402C, 404, 411, 
411A, 414, 414A, 421, 421A, 421B, and 421C airplanes; and
--Conquest Service Bulletin CQB05-2, dated February 21, 2005, which 
applies to Models 425 and 441 airplanes.
    What are the provisions of this service information? These service 
bulletins include procedures for:

--Inspecting the avionics bus circuit breaker switch to determine the 
date code;
--Replacing all avionics bus circuit breaker switches without date 
code; and
--Imposing a 1,000-hour safe life limit for all avionics bus circuit 
breaker switches with a date code earlier than 0434.

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 
bulletins.
    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 7,125 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 the proposed inspection and replacement:
    For Models 401, 401A, 401B, 402, 402A, 402B, 402C, 404, 411, 411A, 
414, 414A, 421, 421A, 421B, 421C airplanes:

[[Page 33722]]



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                                                          Total cost per
           Labor cost                  Parts cost            airplane           Total cost on U.S. operators
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4 work hours x $65 an hour =      $119 each..........  $498 (if 2 switches  $498 x 6,527 = $3,250,446
 $260.                                                  are required).
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    For Models 425 and 441 airplanes:

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                                                          Total cost per
           Labor cost                  Parts cost            airplane           Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 work hours x $65 an hour =      $119 each..........  $758 (if 2 switches  $758 x 598 = $453,284
 $520.                                                  are required).
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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.

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 other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) 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-2005-21173; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-22-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):

The Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2005-21173; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-22-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 August 9, 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:
    (i) Equipped with an avionics bus circuit breaker switch, part 
number (P/N) CM3589-50, 593-250-101, 593-250-102, W31-X2M5A-50, or 
W31-X1000-50; and
    (ii) Certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
401...................  655 and 401-0001 through 401-0322.
401A..................  655 and 401A0001 through 401A0132.
401B..................  401B0001 through 401B0221.
402...................  402-0001 through 402-0322.
402A..................  402A0001 through 402A0129.
402B..................  402B0001 through 402B0122, 402B0201 through
                         402B0249, 402B0301 through 402B0455, 402B0501
                         through 402B0640, 402B0801 through 402B0935,
                         402B1001 through 402B1100, 402B1201 through
                         402B1250, and 402B1301 through 402B1384.
402C..................  689, 402C0001 through 402C0125, 402C0201 through
                         402C0355, 402C0401 through 402C0528, 402C0601
                         through 402C0653, 402C0801 through 402C0807,
                         and 402C0808 through 402C1020.
404...................  682, 404-0001 through 404-0136, 404-0201 through
                         404-0246, 404-0401 through 404-0460, 404-0601
                         through 404-0695, and 404-0801 through 404-
                         0859.
411...................  642 and 411-0001 through 411-0250.
411A..................  411-0251 through 411-0300.
414...................  667, 414-0001 through 414-0099, 414-0151 through
                         414-0175, 414-0251 through 414-0280, 414-0351
                         through 414-0437, 414-0451 through 414-0550,
                         414-0601 through 414-0655, 414-0801 through 414-
                         0855, and 414-0901 through 414-0965.
414A..................  414A0001 through 414A0121, 414A0201 through
                         414A0340, 414A0401 through 414A0535, 414A0601
                         through 414A0680, 414A0801 through 414A0858,
                         and 414A1001 through 414A1212.

[[Page 33723]]

 
421...................  693 and 421-0001 through 421-0200.
421A..................  421A0001 through 421A0158.
421B..................  421B0001 through 421B0056, 421B0101 through
                         421B0147, 421B0201 through 421B0275, 421B0301
                         through 421B0486, 421B0501 through 421B0665,
                         and 421B0801 through 421B0970.
421C..................  421C0001 through 421C0171, 421C0201 through
                         421C0350, 421C0401 through 421C0525, 421C0601
                         through 421C0715, 421C0801 through 421C0910,
                         421C1001 through 421C1115, 421C1201 through
                         421C1257, 421C1401 through 421C1413, and
                         421C1801 through 421C1807.
425...................  425-0001 through 425-0236.
441...................  698 and 441-0001 through 441-0362.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result from reports of smoke and a burning 
smell in the cockpit. The actions specified in this AD are intended 
to prevent failure of the avionics bus circuit breaker switch, which 
could result in smoke and a burning smell in the cockpit. This 
failure could lead to reduced ability to control the airplane.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the avionics bus  Within the next 200   For Models 425 and
 circuit breaker swtich to     hours time-in-        441 airplanes,
 determine the part number     service (TIS), the    follow the
 (P/N) and date code.          next 12 months, or    procedures in
(i) If the P/N) is CM3589-     at the next           Cessna Conquest
 50, 593-250-101, 593-250-     scheduled             Service Bulletin
 102, W31-X2M5A-50, or W31-    inspection, after     CQB05-2, dated
 X1000-50; and.                the effective date    February 21, 2005,
(ii) The date code is 0434     of this AD,           and the applicable
 or later; then.               whichever occurs      maintenance manual.
(iii) No further action is     first.               For all other
 required..                                          affected airplane
                                                     models, follow the
                                                     procedures in
                                                     Cessna Multi-engine
                                                     Service Bulletin
                                                     MEB05-1, dated
                                                     February 21, 2005,
                                                     and the applicable
                                                     maintenance manual.
(2) If the P/N is CM3589-50,  Before further        For Models 425 and
 593-250-101, 593-250-102,     flight after the      441 airplanes,
 W31-X2M5A-50, or W31-X1000-   inspection required   follow the
 50 and there is no date       in paragraph (e)(1)   procedures in
 code, replace the avionics    of this AD.           Cessna Conquest
 bus circuit breaker switch                          Service Bulletin
 with a P/N CM3589-50 that                           CQB05-2, dated
 has a date code of 0434 or                          February 21, 2005,
 later.                                              and the applicable
                                                     maintenance manual.
                                                    For all other
                                                     affected airplane
                                                     models, follow the
                                                     procedures in
                                                     Cessna Multi-engine
                                                     Service Bulletin
                                                     MEB05-1, dated
                                                     February 21, 2005
                                                     and the applicable
                                                     maintenance manual.
(3) If the P/N is CM3589-50,  Within the 1,000-     For Models 425 and
 593-250-101, 593-250-101,     hour TIS safe life    441 airplanes,
 W31-X2M5A-50, or W31-X1000-   limit.                follow the
 50 and the date code is                             procedures in
 earlier than 0434, the part                         Cessna Conquest
 has a safe life limit of                            Service Bulletin
 1,000 hours TIS and must be                         CQB05-2, dated
 replaced within the 1,000-                          February 21, 2005,
 hour time limit with a P/N                          and the applicable
 CM3589-50 that has a date                           maintenance manual.
 code of 0434 or later.                             For all other
                                                     affected airplane
                                                     models, follow the
                                                     procedures in
                                                     Cessna Multi-engine
                                                     Service Bulletin
                                                     MEB05-1, dated
                                                     February 21, 2005,
                                                     and the applicable
                                                     maintenance manual.
(4) Do not install a P/N      As of the effective   Not applicable.
 CM3589-50, 593-250-101, 593-  date of this AD.
 250-102, W31-X2M5A-50, or
 W31-X1000-50 that does not
 have a date code or has a
 date code earlier than 0434.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Gerald Pilj, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4151; 
facsimile: (316) 946-4107.

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

    (g) To get copies of the documents referenced in this AD, 
contact The Cessna Aircraft Company, Citation Marketing Division, 
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 Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The 
docket number is Docket No. FAA-2005-21173; Directorate Identifier 
2005-CE-22-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 3, 2005.
Kim Smith,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-11454 Filed 6-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P