[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 251 (Friday, December 30, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 82205-82207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33563]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1414; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-227-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company 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 Cessna Aircraft Company Model 560XL airplanes. This proposed AD 
was prompted by reports of jammed or stiff rudder control due to water 
freezing on the rudder bias cables and pulleys of the stinger. This 
proposed AD would require modification of the drain installation of the 
tailcone stinger on the aft canted bulkhead, inspections for drain 
holes in the forward and aft frames, and modification of the drain 
holes. We are proposing this AD to prevent ice accumulation on the 
cables and pulleys of the stinger, which could result in jamming of the 
rudder and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 13, 
2012.

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 
Cessna Aircraft Co., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone 
(316) 517-6215; fax (316) 517-5802; email 
[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 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: David Fairback, Aerospace Engineer, 
Mechanical Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4154; fax: 
(316) 946-4107; 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-2011-1414; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-227-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 reports of jammed or stiff rudder control due to 
water freezing on the rudder bias cables and pulleys of the stinger. 
The cause of this is attributed to a large amount of water entering the 
stinger and pooling at the lowest point due to inadequate drainage. 
This water sprays onto the rudder bias cables and pulleys due to the 
inflow of air into the stinger. Therefore, as the airplane climbs to 
temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit the water freezes on the 
cables, pulleys, and mounting brackets. The ice acts as an adhesive, 
which prevents the pulleys from rotating and the cables from sliding on 
the pulleys. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in 
jamming of the rudder and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Cessna Service Bulletin SB560XL-53-16, dated October 4, 
2011, including Service Bulletin Supplemental Data SB560XL-53-16, 
Revision A, dated October 20, 2011, which describes procedures for 
modifying the drain installation of the tailcone stinger on the aft 
canted bulkhead. The modification includes installing a drain and 
rubber seals to reduce the amount of water entering the stinger and 
improve drainage. That service bulletin recommends prior or concurrent 
accomplishment of Cessna Alert Service Letter ASL560XL-53-08, dated 
January 21, 2011, which describes procedures for modification of the 
drain holes. The modification includes inspections for a missing drain 
hole and drilling a larger drain hole if there is not a number 7 (0.201 
inch-diameter) drain hole at that location, sealing existing drain 
holes in the tailcone stinger, or adding drain holes in the aft canted 
bulkhead.

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 this same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously, except as discussed 
under ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Information.''

Differences Between the Proposed AD and Service Information

    Cessna Service Bulletin SB560XL-53-16, dated October 4, 2011, 
specifies a compliance time of ``within 1,200 flight hours or 18 months 
from the date of receipt, whichever occurs first,'' for the 
modification of the stinger drain installation. Cessna Alert Service 
Letter ASL560XL-53-08, dated January 21, 2011, specifies a compliance 
time of ``within 90 flight hours or 90 days from the date of receipt, 
whichever occurs first,'' for modification of the drain holes. However, 
this proposed AD would require accomplishment of the modification of 
the stinger drain installation within 800 flight hours or 12 months 
after the effective date of this

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AD, whichever occurs first; and prior or concurrent accomplishment of 
the modification of the drain holes. We find that these compliance 
times represent appropriate intervals of time for affected airplanes to 
continue to operate without compromising safety.
    Cessna Service Bulletin SB560XL-53-16, dated October 4, 2011; and 
Cessna Alert Service Letter ASL560XL-53-08, dated January 21, 2011; 
both recommend submitting certain maintenance information to the 
manufacturer, but this proposed AD does not include that requirement.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 475 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification of stinger drain           10 work-hours x $85 per             $489          $1,339        $636,025
 installation.                           hour = $850.
Prior/concurrent modification of drain  5 work-hours x $85 per               255             680         323,000
 holes.                                  hour = $425.
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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),
    (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):

Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2011-1414; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-NM-227-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 13, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Cessna Aircraft Company Model 560XL 
airplanes; certificated in any category; serial numbers -5002 
through -5372 inclusive, -5501 through -5830 inclusive, -6002 
through -6080 inclusive, and -6082 through -6086 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 53: Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of jammed or stiff rudder 
control due to water freezing on the rudder bias cables and pulleys 
of the stinger. We are issuing this AD to prevent ice accumulation 
on the cables and pulleys of the stinger, which could result in 
jamming of the rudder and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Modification of the Drain Installation

    Within 800 flight hours or 12 months after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first: Modify the drain installation of 
the tailcone stinger on the aft canted bulkhead (i.e., install a 
drain and rubber seals), in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Cessna Service Bulletin SB560XL-53-16, dated October 
4, 2011.

(h) Modification of the Drain Holes

    For airplanes identified in Cessna Alert Service Letter 
ASL560XL-53-08, dated January 21, 2011: Prior to or concurrently 
with the modification required by paragraph (g) of this AD, modify 
the drain holes, including inspecting for a missing drain hole and, 
before further flight, drilling a larger drain hole as applicable; 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Cessna Alert 
Service Letter ASL560XL-53-08, dated January 21, 2011.

    Note 1:  After accomplishing the actions required by paragraphs 
(g) and (h) of this AD, maintenance and/or preventative maintenance 
under 14 CFR part 43 is permitted provided the maintenance does not 
result in changing the AD-mandated configuration (reference 14 CFR 
39.7).

(i) No Reporting

    Although Cessna Service Bulletin SB560XL-53-16, dated October 4, 
2011; and Cessna Alert Service Letter ASL560XL-53-08, dated January 
21, 2011; both specify to submit certain maintenance information to 
the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
ACE-115W, 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

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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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact David Fairback, 
Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-
116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport 
Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: 
(316) 946-4154; fax: (316) 946-4107; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Cessna Aircraft Co., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone 
(316) 517-6215; fax (316) 517-5802; email 
[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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 23, 2011.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-33563 Filed 12-29-11; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P