[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 24, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60291-60293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-20862]



[[Page 60291]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-29138; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-073-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172R and 
172S Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 172R and 172S. This 
proposed AD would require you to inspect the fuel return line assembly 
for chafing; replace the fuel return line assembly if chafing is found; 
and inspect the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and 
both the right steering tube assembly and the airplane structure, 
adjusting as necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of chafed 
fuel return line assemblies, which were caused by the fuel return line 
assembly rubbing against the right steering tube assembly during full 
rudder pedal actuation. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct 
chafing of the fuel return line assembly, which could result in fuel 
leaking under the floor and fuel vapors entering the cabin. This 
condition could lead to fire under the floor or in the cabin area.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 24, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, 
Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 942-9006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Trenton Shepherd, Aerospace Engineer, 
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 
946-4143; fax: (316) 946-4107; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2007-29138; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-073-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://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We have received four reports of fuel return line assembly chafing 
in Cessna Models 172R and 172S airplanes. The reports indicated the 
fuel return line assembly rubbed against the right steering tube 
assembly during full rudder pedal actuation and caused the chafing.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in fuel leaking 
under the cabin floor and fuel vapors entering the cabin. This 
condition could lead to fire under the floor or in the cabin area.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Cessna Mandatory Service Bulletin SB07-28-01, 
dated June 18, 2007. The service information describes the following 
procedures:
     Inspecting the fuel return line assembly;
     Replacing the fuel return line assembly if chafing is 
found; and
     Inspecting the clearance between the fuel return line 
assembly and both the right steering tube assembly and the airplane 
structure, adjusting as necessary.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and 
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD 
would require you to detect and correct chafing of the fuel vent line 
assembly.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The service information permits tube damage up to a depth of 0.0035 
inch. There is no known method to accurately measure the thickness 
damage on a tube. We propose to require replacement of the fuel return 
line assembly if any damage is found.
    If no chafing is found in the inspection of the fuel return line 
assembly, the service information does not require inspection for 
clearance around the fuel return line assembly. We propose to inspect 
the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and both the right 
steering tube assembly and airplane structure, for all applicable 
aircraft.
    The service information does not specify a minimum clearance 
requirement between the fuel return line assembly and the right 
steering tube assembly, only that the fuel return line assembly does 
not touch either the right steering tube assembly or the airplane 
structure. We propose to require a minimum of 0.5 inch of clearance 
between the fuel return line assembly and both the right steering tube 
assembly and the airplane structure, during full rudder pedal 
actuation.
    The requirements of this proposed AD, if adopted as a final rule, 
would take precedence over the provisions in the service information.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 928 airplanes in the 
U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:

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------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Total cost
          Labor cost             Parts cost    Total cost      on U.S.
                                              per airplane    operators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $80 per hour =            N/A           $80       $74,240
 $80..........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need 
this replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Total cost
                 Labor cost                    Parts cost   per airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.5 work-hour x $80 per hour = $40..........         $123          $163
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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

    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;
    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 and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket 
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) 
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 FAA 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 AD:

Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2007-29138; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-CE-073-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by December 24, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Models                             Serial No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
172R...........................  17281188 through 17281390.
172S...........................  172S9491 through 172S10489.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of chafed fuel return line 
assemblies caused by the fuel return line assembly rubbing against 
the right steering tube assembly during full rudder pedal actuation. 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct chafing of the fuel 
return line assembly, which could result in fuel leaking under the 
cabin floor and fuel vapors entering the cabin. This condition could 
lead to fire under the floor or in the cabin area.

Compliance

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

    Note: The requirements of this AD take precedence over the 
actions required in the service information.


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               Actions                             Compliance                            Procedures
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(1) Inspect the fuel return line      Within the next 100 hours time-in-    Follow Cessna Service Bulletin SB07-
 assembly (Cessna part number (P/N)    service (TIS) after the effective     28-01, dated June 18, 2007.
 0500118-49 or FAA-approved            date of this AD or within the next
 equivalent P/N) for chafing.          12 months after the effective date
                                       of this AD, whichever occurs first.

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(2) If chafing is found in the        Before further flight after the       Follow Cessna Service Bulletin SB07-
 inspection required in paragraph      inspection required in paragraph      28-01, dated June 18, 2007.
 (e)(1) of this AD, replace the fuel   (e)(1) of this AD where evidence of
 return line assembly (Cessna P/N      chafing was found.
 0500118-49 or FAA-approved
 equivalent P/N).
(3) Inspect for a minimum clearance   Before further flight after:          Follow paragraph 6 of the
 of 0.5 inch between the following    (A) The inspection required in         Instructions section of Cessna
 parts throughout the entire range     paragraph (e)(1) of this AD if no     Service Bulletin SB07-28-01, dated
 of copilot rudder pedal travel and    chafing is found; or.                 June 18, 2007. This AD requires a
 adjust the clearance as necessary:   (B) The replacement required in        minimum clearance of 0.5 inch.
                                       paragraph (e)(2) of this AD..
    (i) The fuel return line
     assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49
     or FAA-approved equivalent P/N)
     and the steering tube assembly
     (Cessna P/N MC0543022-2C); and
    (ii) The fuel return line
     assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49
     or FAA-approved equivalent P/N)
     and the airplane structure.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 
ATTN: Trenton Shepherd, Aerospace Engineer, 1801 Airport Road, Room 
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4143; fax: (316) 
946-4107; e-mail: [email protected]. Before using any approved 
AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards 
District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

Related Information

    (g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this 
AD, contact Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, 
Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 942-
9006. To view the AD docket, go to U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. The docket number is 
Docket No. FAA-2007-29138; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-073-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 17, 2007.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-20862 Filed 10-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P