[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13157-13159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4864]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0284; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-006-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR20 
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 Cirrus Design Corporation (CDC) Model SR20 airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require an inspection and replacement as necessary of 
the heat exchanger. This proposed AD results from the discovery of 
engine exhaust fumes in the cabin of CDC Model SR20 airplanes. We are 
proposing this AD to detect and correct leaks in the exhaust system, 
which could result in exhaust gases leaking into the cabin heating 
system. This condition could lead to carbon monoxide in the cabin and 
incapacitation of the pilot.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 12, 2008.

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

[[Page 13158]]

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 
Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Circle, Duluth, Minnesota 55811, 
telephone: (218) 788-3000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Downs, Aerospace Engineer, 
2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; 
telephone: (847) 294-7870; fax: (847) 294-7834.

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-
2008-0284; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-006-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 received a report from the operator of a fleet of CDC Model SR20 
airplanes that an exhaust leak was discovered in the cabin on one of 
the fleet airplanes. Failure of a spot weld that secures the heater 
shroud to the muffler caused the exhaust leak. Inspection of the 
operator's total fleet of 40 airplanes found 24 more airplanes with 
defective spot welds. One of these defective welds was leaking exhaust 
into the cabin heating system.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to carbon monoxide in 
the cabin and incapacitation of the pilot.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Cirrus Service Bulletin SB 2X-78-07 R1, Revision 
1, dated December 18, 2007. The service information describes 
procedures for:
     Pressurization check of the heat exchanger;
     Installation of an improved heat exchanger if broken welds 
or exhaust leaks are found; and
     Repetitive 100-hour pressurization checks.

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 an inspection and replacement as necessary of the exhaust 
system.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 713 airplanes in the 
U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Total cost per   Total cost on
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        airplane     U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $80 per hour = $80.............................              $0              $80          $57,040
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacement 
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 per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $80 per hour = $80......            $848             $928
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Warranty credit will be given to the extent specified in Cirrus 
Service Bulletin SB 2X-78-07 R1, Revision 1, dated December 18, 2007.

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

[[Page 13159]]

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:

Cirrus Design Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2008-0284; Directorate 
Identifier 2008-CE-006-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by May 12, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model SR20 airplanes, serial numbers 1005 
through 1815, that are certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from the discovery of engine exhaust fumes 
in the cabin of Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR20 airplanes. We 
are proposing this AD to detect and correct leaks in the exhaust 
system, which could result in exhaust gases leaking into the cabin 
heating system. This condition could lead to carbon monoxide in the 
cabin and incapacitation of the pilot.

Compliance

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Perform a pressurization  Initially within the  Follow Cirrus
 check on the exhaust system.  next 25 hours time-   Service Bulletin SB
                               in-service (TIS)      2X-78-07 R1,
                               after the effective   Revision 1, dated
                               date of this AD or    December 18, 2007.
                               within the next 3
                               months after the
                               effective date of
                               this AD, whichever
                               occurs first.
                               Repetitively
                               thereafter at
                               intervals not to
                               exceed every 100
                               hours TIS.
(2) If the exhaust system is  Before further        Follow Cirrus
 found defective during any    flight after the      Service Bulletin SB
 check required in paragraph   effective date of     2X-78-07 R1,
 (e)(1) of this AD or an       this AD.              Revision 1, dated
 exhaust odor is detected                            December 18, 2007.
 inside the airplane cabin,
 replace the heat exchanger
 weldment and shroud with
 new improved heat exchanger
 weldment and new shroud.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Chicago 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: Michael Downs, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO, 2300 East 
Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: 
(847) 294-7870; 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.

Related Information

    (g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this 
AD, contact Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Circle, Duluth, 
Minnesota 55811, telephone: (218) 788-3000. 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 4, 2008.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-4864 Filed 3-11-08; 8:45 am]
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