[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 244 (Thursday, December 18, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 76979-76981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30044]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1319; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-071-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Models 208 and 
208B 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 208 and 208B airplanes. 
This proposed AD would require you to modify the aileron carry-through 
cable attachment to the aileron upper quadrant with parts of improved 
design. This proposed AD results from reports of a ``catch'' in the 
aileron control system when the control yoke is turned. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent the cable attach fitting on the aileron 
upper quadrant assembly from rotating and possibly contacting or 
interfering with the aileron lower quadrant assembly, which could 
result in limited roll control and reduced handling capabilties.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 17, 
2009.

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, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita, Kansas 67277; 
telephone: (800) 423-7762 or (316) 517-6056; Internet: http://www.cessna.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Johnson, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: 316-946-4105; fax: 316-946-4107; e-
mail address: [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-
2008-1319; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-071-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 reports of a ``catch'' in the aileron control system when 
the control yoke is turned on a Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 
208 airplane.
    The ``catch'' is caused by the cable end fitting, part number (P/N) 
2660033, rotating out of its normal position and rubbing against the 
lower aileron quadrant assembly, P/N 2660032-7.
    The reason that the cable end fitting rotates is unknown. Tension 
on the cable is what has been keeping the fitting flat and preventing 
rotation.
    Cessna Aircraft Company has reconfigured the design of the existing 
nut on the cable fitting with two jam nuts, a spring washer, and safety 
wire to prevent rotation of the cable end.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in limited roll 
control and reduced handling capabilties.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Cessna Caravan Service Bulletin CAB08-6, dated 
October 27, 2008.
    The service information describes procedures for modifying the 
aileron carry-through cable attachment to the aileron upper quadrant.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and 
determined the unsafe condition

[[Page 76980]]

described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
the same type design. This proposed AD would require you to modify the 
aileron carry-through cable attachment to the aileron upper quadrant 
with parts of improved design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 794 airplanes in the 
U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed modification:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Total cost per   Total cost on
                  Labor cost                              Parts cost                airplane      U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $80 per hour = $160...........  Not applicable.................            $160         $127,040
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs and 
replacements that would be required based on doing the proposed 
modification. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes 
that may need these repairs or replacements.
    We estimate the following costs to do possible damage repair to the 
aileron lower quadrant assembly, if necessary:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
            Labor cost                  Parts cost           airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
.5 work-hours x $80 per hour =     Not applicable......             $40
 $40.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do possible removal and 
installation of the aileron lower quadrant assembly, if necessary:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
            Labor cost                  Parts cost           airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $80 per hour =      Not applicable......            $160
 $160.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do possible removal and 
installation of the headliner, if necessary:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
            Labor cost                  Parts cost           airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 work-hours x $80 per hour =     Not applicable......          $1,280
 $1,280.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Warranty credit will be given for parts and labor to the extent 
specified in the manufacturer's service bulletin.

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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

[[Page 76981]]

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-2008-1319; Directorate 
Identifier 2008-CE-071-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by February 17, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
208..........................  20800001 through 20800415 and 20800417
                                through 20800419.
208B.........................   208B0001 through 208B1081, 208B1083
                                through 208B1215, 208B1217 through
                                208B1257, 208B1259 through 208B1305,
                                208B1307, and 208B1309 through 208B1310.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of a ``catch'' in the aileron 
control system when the control yoke is turned. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent the cable attach fitting on the aileron upper quadrant 
assembly from rotating and possibly contacting or interfering with 
the aileron lower quadrant assembly, which could result in limited 
roll control and reduced handling capabilties.

Compliance

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify the aileron carry-     Within the next 100   Follow the
 through cable attachment to   hours time-in-        Accomplishment
 the aileron upper quadrant    service after the     Instructions in
 with parts of improved        effective date of     Cessna Caravan
 design.                       this AD or within     Service Bulletin
                               the next 6 months     CAB08-6, dated
                               after the effective   October 27, 2008.
                               date of this AD,
                               whichever occurs
                               first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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: Ann Johnson, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita ACO, 1801 
Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: 316-946-
4105; fax: 316-946-4107; e-mail address: [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, P.O. Box 7704, Wichita, Kansas 
67277; telephone: (800) 423-7762 or (316) 517-6056; Internet: http://www.cessna.com. 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 December 12, 2008.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-30044 Filed 12-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P