[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 2, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67631-67633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28382]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1212; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-034-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cirrus Design Corporation Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

[[Page 67632]]


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 (Cirrus) Model SR22T airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports of partial loss of engine power due 
to a dislodged rubber gasket/seal being ingested into the turbocharger. 
This proposed AD would require inspection and modification of the air 
box flange welds and slots and installation of induction system air box 
seals as applicable. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 19, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above 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-
1548, phone: (218) 788-3000; fax: (218) 788-3525; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.cirrusaircraft.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Downs, Propulsion Engineer, 
Chicago ACO, FAA, O'Hare Lake Office Center, 2300 East Devon Ave., Des 
Plaines, Illinois 60018; phone: (847) 294-7870; fax: (847) 294-7834; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-1212; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-034-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 received two reports of partial loss of engine power due to 
dislodged rubber gaskets/seals being ingested into one of the two 
turbochargers. The gasket/seal is located between the air-box mounting 
base and the turbochargers. Once the gasket/seal is ingested into a 
turbocharger the engine will experience a partial loss of power as the 
turbocharger fails to perform its function. A complete loss of power 
could occur if metal debris from the failing turbocharger migrates into 
the engine oil system and damages other engine components. Examination 
by Cirrus of other Cirrus Model SR22T airplanes showed early evidence 
of the gasket/seal starting to dislodge on at least one other airplane.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in engine failure.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Cirrus Design Corporation SR22T Service Bulletin SB 2X-
71-17 R1, dated September 30, 2011. The service information describes 
procedures for replacement of the air box seals.

FAA's Determination

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

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require inspection and modification of the 
air box flange welds and slots and installation of air box seals and 
adhesive with materials better suited for the high-temperature 
environment encountered in close proximity to the turbocharger.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 67 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of the induction system    2.5 work-hours x $85 per             $139         $351.50      $23,550.50
 air box seals and extension of air     hour = $212.50.
 box flange slots.
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    According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this proposed AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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:

[[Page 67633]]

``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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

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 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Cirrus Design Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2011-1212; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-CE-034-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 19, 2011.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following model and serial number 
airplanes, certificated in any category:
    (1) Group 1 Airplanes: Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR22T 
airplanes, serial numbers 0001 through 0169, except 0004, 0019, 
0027, 0047, 0097, 0126, 0127, 0135, 0138, 0139, 0144, 0154, 0155, 
0157, 0158, 0159, 0160, 0161, and 0163.
    (2) Group 2 Airplanes: Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR22T 
airplanes, serial numbers 0004, 0019, 0027, 0047, 0097, 0126, 0127, 
0135, 0138, 0139, 0144, 0155, 0157, 0158, 0160, and 0161. These 
airplanes had the reinforced silicone fiberglass seals installed at 
the factory but the box flange welds and slots may be incorrectly 
modified. Therefore, this AD still applies to these airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7160, Engine Air 
Intake.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of partial loss of engine power 
due to a dislodged rubber gasket/seal being ingested into the 
turbocharger. We are issuing this AD to inspect and modify the air 
box flange welds and slots and install induction system air box 
seals as applicable.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD following Cirrus Design Corporation SR22T 
Service Bulletin SB 2X-71-17 R1, dated September 30, 2011, within 
the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Actions

    (1) Group 1 Airplanes: Within the next 10 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, inspect the air box 
flange welds and slots, make modifications as necessary, and replace 
the induction air box seals with reinforced silicone fiberglass 
seals part number 29486-001.
    (2) Group 2 Airplanes: Within the next 10 hours TIS after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the air box flange welds and 
slots and, as necessary, make modifications.

    Note: Credit will be given for actions required in paragraphs 
(g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD if already done before the effective 
date of this AD following Cirrus Design Corporation SR22T Service 
Bulletin SB 2X-71-17, dated July 21, 2011.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) 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. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Michael Downs, 
Propulsion Engineer, Chicago ACO, FAA, O'Hare Lake Office Center, 
2300 East Devon Ave., Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; phone: (847) 294-
7870; fax: (847) 294-7834; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Circle, Duluth, Minnesota 
55811-1548, phone: (218) 788-3000; fax: (218) 788-3525; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.cirrusaircraft.com. You may review copies of the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 27, 2011.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 2011-28382 Filed 11-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P