[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 235 (Thursday, December 8, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72945-72947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-23772]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-23023; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-49-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR20 
and SR22 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Cirrus Design Corporation (CDC) Model SR20 and SR22 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to inspect the fuel line 
and wire bundles for any chafing damage; if any chafing damage is 
found, replace any damaged fuel line and repair any damaged wires or 
sheathing of the wire harness; and install the forward loop clamp, fuel 
line shield, aft loop clamp, and anti-chafe tubing. This proposed AD 
results from reports of fuel line leaks resulting from wire chafing on 
the fuel lines. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct 
damage to the fuel line and wire bundles, which could result in fuel 
leaks. This failure could lead to unsafe fuel vapor within the cockpit 
and possible fire.

[[Page 72946]]


DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 7, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment 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 20590-0001.
     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.
    Contact Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Circle, Duluth, 
Minnesota 55811; telephone: (218) 727-2737, or on the Internet at 
http://www.cirrusdesign.com for the service information identified in 
this proposed AD.
    You may examine the comments on this proposed AD in the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wess Rouse, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-
117C, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 East Devon Avenue, 
Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-8113; 
facsimile: (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to send any 
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. 
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include the 
docket number, ``FAA-2005-23023; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-49-AD'' 
at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on 
the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of 
the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing 
date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those 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 the DOT 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.). 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.

Examining the Dockets

    Where can I go to view the docket information? You may examine the 
docket that contains the proposal, any comments received and any final 
disposition on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the 
DOT Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 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. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management 
Facility receives them.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The FAA has received two 
reports of fuel line leaks within a compartment in the center console 
of Model SR22 airplanes. This compartment is drained to the belly of 
the aircraft. Investigation found that the leaks resulted from wire 
chafing on the fuel lines.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in unsafe fuel vapor within the cockpit 
and possible fire.

Relevant Service Information

    Is there service information that applies to this subject? We have 
reviewed Cirrus Design Corporation Service Bulletin SB 2X-28-04 R1, 
Issued: November 1, 2005, Revised: November 8, 2005.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
information describes procedures for:
     Fuel line chafing inspection; and
     Protective measures to prevent a potential chafing 
condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    Why have we determined AD action is necessary and what would this 
proposed AD require? We are proposing this AD to address an unsafe 
condition that we determined is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of this same type design. The proposed AD would require you to 
inspect the fuel line and wire bundles for any chafing damage; if any 
chafing damage is found, replace any damaged fuel line and repair any 
damaged wires or sheathing of the wire harness; and install the forward 
loop clamp, fuel line shield, aft loop clamp, and anti-chafe tubing. 
The proposed AD would require you to use the service information 
described previously to perform these actions.

Costs of Compliance

    How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 2,135 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? The manufacturer will cover parts 
and labor costs if the work is done within the standard airplane 
warranty period and the work is done at any of the manufacturer's 
authorized service centers.

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 
rulemaking action.

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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;

[[Page 72947]]

    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

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:

Cirrus Design Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2005-23023; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-49-AD.

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

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by February 7, 
2006.

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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                             Serial Nos.
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SR20...................................  1005 through 1581.
SR22...................................  0002 through 1643 and 1645
                                          through 1662.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD results from reports of fuel line leaks resulting 
from wire chafing on the fuel lines. The actions specified in this 
AD are intended to detect and correct damage to the fuel line and 
wire bundles, which could result in fuel leaks. This failure could 
lead to unsafe fuel vapor within the cockpit and possible fire.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
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(1) Inspect the fuel line     Within the next 50    Follow Cirrus Design
 and wire harness for any      hours time-in-        Corporation Service
 chafing damage.               service (TIS) after   Bulletin SB 2X-28-
                               the effective date    04 R1, Issued:
                               of this AD.           November 1, 2005,
                                                     Revised: November
                                                     8, 2005.
(2) If any chafing damage is  Before further        Follow Cirrus Design
 found as a result of the      flight after the      Corporation Service
 inspection required by        inspection required   Bulletin SB 2X-28-
 paragraph (e)(1) of this      by paragraph (e)(1)   04 R1, Issued:
 AD:                           of this AD.           November 1, 2005,
(i) Replace any damaged fuel                         Revised: November
 line; and                                           8, 2005.
(ii) Repair any damaged
 wires or sheathing of the
 wire harness.
(3) Install the following:    Within the next 50    Follow Cirrus Design
(i) Forward loop clamp;        hours time-in-        Corporation Service
(ii) Fuel line shield;         service (TIS) after   Bulletin SB 2X-28-
(iii) Aft loop clamp; and      the effective date    04 R1, Issued:
(iv) Anti-chafe tubing.        of this AD.           November 1, 2005,
                                                     Revised: November
                                                     8, 2005.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve alternative methods of compliance 
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19.
    (g) For information on any already approved alternative methods 
of compliance or for information pertaining to this AD, contact Wess 
Rouse, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-117C, Chicago ACO, 2300 East Devon 
Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-
8113; facsimile: (847) 294-7834.

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

    (h) To get copies of the documents referenced in this AD, 
contact Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Circle, Duluth, 
Minnesota 55811; telephone: (218) 727-2737 or on the Internet at 
www.cirrusdesign.com. 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-2005-23023; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-49-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 2, 2005.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-23772 Filed 12-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P