[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 229 (Thursday, November 29, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67566-67568]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23118]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0250; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-091-AD; 
Amendment 39-15279; AD 2007-24-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR22 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Cirrus Design Corporation (Cirrus) Model SR22 airplanes. This 
AD requires you to install a drain hole in the left and right outboard 
wing tips. This AD results from reports of pilots' inability to move 
the aileron control without using excessive force when flying in 
freezing conditions. Moisture from a prior rain shower entered through 
a gap at the interface of the left and right outboard wing tips and 
wing structure. The moisture traveled along the aft wing shear web, 
accumulated below the aileron control pulley, and froze at an altitude 
with an outside air temperature below freezing. When this moisture is 
exposed to freezing conditions, operation of the aileron control pulley 
is impaired. We are issuing this AD to prevent moisture from 
accumulating along the wing shear web where it may freeze in certain 
conditions. This condition could result in operational failure of the 
aileron control pulley, which could lead to loss of control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 4, 2007.
    On December 4, 2007, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by January 28, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 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

[[Page 67567]]

W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    To get the service information identified in this AD, contact 
Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Corporation, Duluth, Minnesota 
55811; telephone: (218) 727-2737.
    To view the comments to this AD, go to http://www.regulations.gov. 
The docket number is FAA-2007-0250; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-091-
AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy Boffo, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago 
Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des 
Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-7564; fax: (847) 294-
7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We received a report that a production flight test pilot engaged 
the autopilot on a Cirrus Model SR22 airplane after climbing to 17,500 
feet with an outside air temperature of -4 [deg]C. While on autopilot, 
the airplane began drifting to the left. The pilot disengaged the 
autopilot and noticed that the aileron control was stuck. Using 
considerable force, the pilot was able to move the aileron control, but 
then it stuck in another position. After descending to an altitude with 
an outside air temperature above freezing, the aileron control returned 
to normal function.
    The incident airplane was a Cirrus flight test airplane and was 
stored outside in the rain for at least one day before the flight. 
Take-off was also during a light rain.
    The wing on the Cirrus SR22 airplane was recently redesigned. We 
have determined that the new design allows moisture to enter at the 
interface between the wing and wing tip. The moisture finds a path 
along the aft wing shear web and accumulates below the aileron pulley. 
When the moisture is exposed to freezing conditions, operation of the 
aileron control pulley is impaired.
    Two other similar occurrences on production flight test airplanes 
have been reported.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in operational 
failure of the aileron control pulley. This failure could lead to loss 
of control.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Cirrus Design Service Bulletin SB 2X-57-08, dated 
November 2, 2007. The service information describes procedures for 
installing a drain hole in the left and right outboard wing tips.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the information and 
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other products of the same type design. This AD requires 
you to install a drain hole in the left and right outboard wing tips.
    In preparing this rule, we contacted type clubs and aircraft 
operators to get technical information and information on operational 
and economic impacts. We did not receive any information through these 
contacts. If received, we would have included a discussion of any 
information that may have influenced this action in the rulemaking 
docket.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because 
operational failure of the aileron control pulley could lead to loss of 
control. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, 
or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2007-0250; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-091-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 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 AD.

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 determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,

[[Page 67568]]

the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2007-24-13 Cirrus Design Corporation: Amendment 39-15279; Docket No. 
FAA-2007-0250; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-091-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on December 4, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model SR22 airplanes, serial numbers 
2334, 2420, and 2438 through 2749, that are certificated in any 
category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of pilots' inability to move 
the aileron control without using excessive force when flying in 
freezing conditions. Moisture entered through a gap at the interface 
of the left and right outboard wing tips and wing structure. The 
moisture traveled along the aft wing shear web, accumulated below 
the aileron control pulley, and froze at an altitude with an outside 
air temperature below freezing. When this moisture is exposed to 
freezing conditions, operation of the aileron control pulley is 
impaired. We are issuing this AD to prevent moisture from 
accumulating along the wing shear web where it may freeze in certain 
conditions. This condition could result in operational failure of 
the aileron control pulley, which could lead to loss of control.

Compliance

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install a drain hole in the   At whichever of the   Follow Cirrus Design
 left and right outboard       following occurs      Service Bulletin SB
 wing tips.                    first: (1) Within     2X-57-08, dated
                               the next 10 hours     November 2, 2007.
                               time-in-service
                               after December 4,
                               2007 (the effective
                               date of this AD);
                               or (2) Within the
                               next 30 days after
                               December 4, 2007
                               (the effective date
                               of this AD).
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification (ACO) Office, 
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: Roy Boffo, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO, 2300 East Devon 
Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-
7564; fax: (847) 294-7834. 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (g) You must use Cirrus Design Service Bulletin SB 2X-57-08, 
dated November 2, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Corporation, Duluth, 
Minnesota 55811; telephone: (218) 727-2737.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at 
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 20, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-23118 Filed 11-28-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P