[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 122 (Monday, June 25, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37827-37829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15451]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0644; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-011-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The 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 The Cessna Aircraft Company Model 750 airplanes. This proposed 
AD was prompted by reports of direct current (DC) generator overvoltage 
events. This proposed AD would require replacing the auxiliary power 
unit (APU) generator control unit (GCU). We are proposing this AD to 
prevent DC generator overvoltage events, which could result in 
subsequent smoke in the cockpit and loss of avionics and electrical 
systems.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 9, 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: Christine Abraham, Aerospace Engineer, 
Electrical Systems and Avionics Branch, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent 
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: 316-946-4165; 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-2012-0644; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-011-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 direct current (DC) generator 
overvoltage events. The GCU overvoltage protection circuit can become 
damaged and allow high voltage to pass through to the airplane systems 
and electrical components. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in smoke in the cockpit and loss of avionics and electrical 
systems.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-24-30, dated December 5, 
2011. The service information describes procedures for replacing the 
APU GCU having part number (P/N) 9914752-2 with one having P/N 9914752-
6.

Other Relevant Rulemaking

    On January 28, 2011, we issued AD 2011-03-16, Amendment 39-16600 
(76 FR 8607, February 15, 2011), for Model 750 airplanes. That AD 
requires an inspection to determine the serial numbers of the APU 
generator and the left and right engine DC generators, and corrective 
actions if necessary. That AD also requires revising the airplane 
flight manual (AFM). That AD was prompted by a report of a DC generator 
overvoltage event, which caused smoke in the cockpit and damage to 
numerous avionics and electrical components. In that AD, we noted that 
additional rulemaking might be necessary. The replacement proposed in 
this AD is necessary in addition to the actions required by AD 2011-03-
16, in order to address the identified unsafe condition.

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

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-24-30, dated December 5, 
2011, state that operators must return the GCU having P/N 9914752-2 to 
the manufacturer, this proposed AD would not include that requirement.
    Operators should also note that, although the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-24-30, dated December 5, 
2011, describe procedures for submitting a sheet recording compliance 
with that service bulletin, this proposed AD would not include that 
requirement.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 58 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.

[[Page 37828]]

    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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement.........................  2 work-hours x $85 per           $2,400           $2,570         $149,060
                                       hour = $170.
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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: ``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):

The Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-0644; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-NM-011-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 9, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Cessna Aircraft Company Model 750 
airplanes; certificated in any category; having serial numbers -
0222, -0225 through -0306 inclusive, and -0308.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of direct current (DC) generator 
overvoltage events. We are issuing this AD to prevent DC generator 
overvoltage, which could result in smoke in the cockpit and loss of 
avionics and electrical systems.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement

    Except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Within 6 months 
after the effective date of this AD, replace the auxiliary power 
unit generator control unit (GCU) having part number (P/N) 9914752-2 
with one having P/N 9914752-6, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-24-30, dated December 
5, 2011.

(h) Exceptions

    (1) Where the Accomplishment Instructions of Cessna Service 
Bulletin SB750-24-30, dated December 5, 2011, state that operators 
must return the GCU having P/N 9914752-2 to the manufacturer, this 
AD does not require that action.
    (2) Where the Accomplishment Instructions of Cessna Service 
Bulletin SB750-24-30, dated December 5, 2011, state that the 
operator must record that the service bulletin has been completed, 
this AD does not require that action.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) 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. 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Christine 
Abraham, Aerospace Engineer, Electrical Systems and Avionics Branch, 
ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport 
Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; 
telephone: 316-946-4165; 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.


[[Page 37829]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 18, 2012.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-15451 Filed 6-22-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P