[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4168-4170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01541]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0014; Project Identifier AD-2021-00114-A]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation Inc. (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) Model 120 and 140 airplanes
and all Model 140A airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports
of seat belt center bracket failures from overstress. This proposed AD
would require determining if the seat belt center bracket is made of
steel and replacing any non-steel brackets. The FAA is proposing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 14,
2022.
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 https://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 NPRM, contact Textron
Aviation Inc., One Cessna Blvd., Wichita, KS 67215; phone: (316) 517-
5800; email: [email protected]; website: https://support.cessna.com. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0014; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bobbie Kroetch, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita, KS
67209; phone: (316) 946-4155; email: [email protected] or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0014; Project Identifier
AD-2021-00114-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the
[[Page 4169]]
proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Bobbie Kroetch, Aviation Safety Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801
Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209. Any commentary that the FAA receives
which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the
public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA has received multiple reports of the seat belt center
bracket failing on Textron (Type Certificate previously held by Cessna
Aircraft Company) Model 120 and 140 airplanes, including a 2014 fatal
accident where a Model 140 airplane nosed over on landing, and the seat
belt center bracket failed. To address that accident, the FAA issued
Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-15-13, dated April 15,
2015, recommending operators replace aluminum brackets with steel
brackets. In 2020, another fatal accident occurred when a Model 140
airplane nosed over during an aborted takeoff, and the seat belt center
bracket failed. A metallurgical analysis determined the part failed due
to overstress. There have been four additional occurrences of seat belt
center bracket failure on Model 120 and 140 airplanes, two of which
resulted in occupant injury.
Analysis of the failures determined the original aluminum seat belt
center bracket does not have sufficient strength and can fail due to
overstress during incidents and accidents. The aluminum brackets and
the steel brackets both have the same part number (part number
0425132). Although Model 140A airplanes were manufactured with steel
seat belt center brackets, owners of Model 140A airplanes could have
replaced the steel bracket with an aluminum bracket; therefore, the FAA
determined the unsafe condition also exists on Model 140A airplanes.
This condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the
seat belt center bracket, which could lead to failure of the seat belt
restraint system and injury to occupants.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information
The FAA reviewed Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin SEB-25-03,
dated February 17, 2015. This service information specifies the
location of the affected seat belt center bracket. This service
information also contains a figure depicting the location of the
seatbelt center bracket.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require determining if the seat belt center
bracket material is made of steel. An owner/operator (pilot) may
perform this check and must enter compliance with the applicable
paragraph of this AD in the aircraft maintenance records in accordance
with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). A pilot
may perform this action because it involves a one-time check to
determine material. This check is an exception to the FAA's standard
maintenance regulations.
This proposed AD would also require replacing any non-steel bracket
with a steel bracket and would prohibit installing a non-steel bracket
on any airplane.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 2,033 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates 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 airplane operators
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Determine material of the seat 0.25 work-hour x $85 Not applicable......... $21.25 $43,201.25
belt center bracket. per hour = $21.25.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that may be required. The agency has no way of determining
the number of airplanes that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost airplane
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Replace any non-steel seat belt center bracket 0.75 work-hour x $85 per hour = $79 $142.75
$63.75.
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[[Page 4170]]
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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Textron Aviation Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by Cessna
Aircraft Company): Docket No. FAA-2022-0014; Project Identifier AD-
2021-00114-A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 14, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Textron Aviation Inc. (Type Certificate
previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Model 120 and 140
airplanes, serial numbers (S/Ns) 10070 through 15075, and Model 140A
airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2510, Flight
Compartment Equipment.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of seat belt center bracket
failures from overstress. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent
failure of the seat belt center brackets. The unsafe condition, if
not addressed, could result in failure of the seat belt center
bracket, which could lead to failure of the seat belt restraint
system and injury to occupants.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
determine if the seatbelt center bracket located between the two
seats is made of steel by placing a magnet on the center of the
bracket. This action may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot)
holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered
into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in
accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR
91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR
91.417. This authority is not applicable to aircraft being operated
under 14 CFR part 119.
(i) If the seat belt center bracket is made of steel, no
additional action is required.
(ii) If the seat belt center bracket is not made of steel,
within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, replace with a
steel part number (P/N) 0425132 seat belt center bracket.
(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a seat
belt center bracket P/N 0425132 that is not made of steel on any
airplane.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Wichita ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (i) 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
For more information about this AD, contact Bobbie Kroetch,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport
Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946-4155; email:
[email protected] or [email protected].
Issued on January 20, 2022.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-01541 Filed 1-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P