[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 9, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68731-68733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-28274]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1107; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-263-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Cessna Aircraft Company Model 750 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Model 750 airplanes. This proposed AD would require an 
inspection to determine the serial numbers of the auxiliary power unit 
(APU) generator and the left and right engine direct current (DC) 
generators, and related corrective actions if necessary. This proposed 
AD would also require revising the airplane flight manual. This 
proposed AD results from a report of a DC generator overvoltage event 
which caused smoke in the cockpit and damage to numerous avionics and 
electrical components. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct 
an overvoltage condition on the DC electrical busses caused by exciter 
stator winding failures, and subsequent failure of the generator 
control unit (GCU) overvoltage protection circuitry, which could result 
in damage to critical electrical and avionics components.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 27, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     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 Co., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone 
316-517-6215; fax 316-517-5802; e-mail [email protected]; 
Internet https://www.cessnasupport.com/newlogin.html. You may review 
copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-
227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket 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 AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The

[[Page 68732]]

street address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raymond Johnston, Aerospace Engineer, 
Electrical Systems and Avionics, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent 
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4197; fax (316) 
946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-1107; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-263-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because 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 about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We have received a report of a DC generator overvoltage event which 
caused smoke in the cockpit and damage to numerous avionics and 
electrical components. This event occurred on the ground before an 
engine was started. This event was determined to be the result of a 
short in the APU generator windings and subsequent damage to the 
overvoltage protection circuit in the GCU due to prolonged holding of 
the generator reset switch in the cockpit. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in an overvoltage condition on the DC 
electrical busses caused by exciter stator winding failures, and 
subsequent failure of the GCU overvoltage protection circuitry 
associated with the engine and APU DC generators.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Cessna Service Letter SL750-24-08, dated August 
13, 2009, which describes procedures for an inspection to determine the 
serial number of the APU generator and the left and right engine 400 
amp DC generators. For any airplane having any generator with a serial 
number from 060 through 297 without suffix ``C,'' the service letter 
specifies to replace the affected generator(s) before further flight. 
We also reviewed Cessna Airplane Flight Manual Temporary Changes 75EUMA 
TC-R01-35, dated May 8, 2009; 75EUA TC-R01-35, dated May 8, 2009; and 
75FMA TC-R01-46, dated April 23, 2009; which provide instructions not 
to hold the main or APU generator reset switches in the reset position 
for more than one second and to make no more than two attempts to reset 
a generator.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. 
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in 
the service information described previously.

Interim Action

    We consider this proposed AD interim action. The manufacturer is 
currently developing a modification that will address the unsafe 
condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is developed, 
approved, and available, we might consider additional rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 67 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take up to 10 work-hours per 
product to comply with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 
per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
proposed AD to the U.S. operators to be up to $56,950, or $850 per 
product.

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 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 this 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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

The Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2010-1107; Directorate 
Identifier 2009-NM-263-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by December 27, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Cessna Aircraft Company Model 750 
airplanes, certificated in any category, having serial numbers -
0222, and -0225 and subsequent.

[[Page 68733]]

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24: 
Electrical power.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from a report of a direct current (DC) 
generator overvoltage event which caused smoke in the cockpit and 
damage to numerous avionics and electrical components. The Federal 
Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to detect and correct an 
overvoltage condition on the DC electrical busses caused by exciter 
stator winding failures, and subsequent failure of the generator 
control unit overvoltage protection circuitry, which could result in 
damage to critical electrical and avionics components.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection

    (g) For airplanes having serial numbers -0222, -0225 through -
0293 inclusive, -0295, -0296, and -0298: Within 6 months or 600 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, inspect to determine the serial number of the auxiliary power 
unit (APU) generator and the left and right engine 400 amp DC 
generators, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Cessna Service Letter SL750-24-08, dated August 13, 2009. For 
airplanes that have one or more generators having a serial number 
060 through 297 inclusive without suffix ``C,'' before further 
flight, replace the affected generator(s) with a new or serviceable 
generator, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Cessna Service Letter SL750-24-08, dated August 13, 2009.

Revision of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (h) For airplanes having serial numbers -0222, and -0225 and 
subsequent: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
revise Section II, Operating Limitations, Generator Limitations, 
page 2-12, of the applicable airplane flight manual (AFM) to include 
the information in the applicable Temporary Change (TC) required by 
paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), or (h)(3) of this AD. These TCs introduce 
procedures for resetting the APU generator. Operate the airplane 
according to the limitations and procedures in the TCs.
    (1) For Model 750 Citation X (750-0173 and on and airplanes 
incorporating SB750-71-10 AFM 75FMA, Revision 1, dated June 13, 
2002): Insert Cessna Temporary Change (TC) 75FMA TC-R01-46, dated 
April 23, 2009.
    (2) For Model 750 Citation X (750-0173 and on and airplanes 
incorporating SB750-71-10) AFM 75EUA, Revision 1, dated June 19, 
2002: Insert Cessna TC 75EUA TC-R01-35, dated May 8, 2009.
    (3) For Model 750 Citation X (750-0173 and on and airplanes 
incorporating SB750-71-10) AFM 75EUMA, Revision 1, dated June 30, 
2002: Insert Cessna TC 75EUMA TC-R01-35, dated May 8, 2009.

    Note 1: The AFM revisions required by paragraph (g) of this AD 
may be done by inserting copies of TCs 75FMA TC-R01-46, dated April 
23, 2009; 75EUA TC-R01-35, dated May 8, 2009; or 75EUMA TC-R01-35, 
dated May 8, 2009; into the applicable AFM. When these TCs have been 
included in general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may 
be inserted into the AFM, provided the relevant information in the 
general revision is identical to that in TCs.

Parts Installation

    (i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
any Pacific Scientific generators having part number 92841-1 
(9914752-1) that has serial numbers 060 through 297 without the 
suffix ``C'' on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification 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: 
Raymond Johnston, Aerospace Engineer, Electrical Systems and 
Avionics, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, 
Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4197; fax (316) 946-4107.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 2, 2010.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-28274 Filed 11-8-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P