Airworthiness Directives; Cirrus Design Corporation Models SR20 and SR22 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 11, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63913-63915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30423]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-46-AD; Amendment 39-12556; AD 2001-25-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cirrus Design Corporation Models SR20 
and SR22 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Cirrus Design Corporation (CDC) Models SR20 and SR22 
airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect one time for understrength 
rivets on the elevator torque tube and rudder hinge and replace any 
understrength rivets. This AD is the result of CDC notifying FAA that 
understrength rivets were mixed in production supplies. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to detect and replace understrength 
rivets in the elevator and rudder, which could result in failure of the 
control surfaces. Such failure could lead to a loss of control of the 
airplane in flight.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 17, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulation as of 
December 17, 2001.
    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any comments 
on this rule on or before January 24, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-46-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    You may get the service information referenced in this AD from 
Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Circle, Duluth, MN 55811, 
telephone: (218) 529-7202, facsimile: (218) 727-2148. You may download 
service information from http://www.cirrusdesign.com/sb/>. You may view 
this information at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-46-AD, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory J. Michalik, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 E. Devon 
Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, IL 60018, telephone: (847) 294-7135; 
facsimile: (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

    CDC notified FAA that understrength rivets were mixed with 
production supplies of the type design approved rivets. The 
understrength rivet is of a softer alloy and has less strength than the 
rivet required by type design. Internal inspection by CDC has shown 
that the wrong rivets may be installed on as many as 143 airplanes.

What Are the Consequences If the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the 
control surfaces. Such failure could lead to a loss of control of the 
airplane in flight.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    CDC has issued these service bulletins:

--Cirrus Design Service Bulletin SB 20-55-06, issued November 27, 2001; 
and

[[Page 63914]]

--Cirrus Design Service Bulletin SB 22-55-03, issued November 27, 2001.

    The service bulletins include procedures for:

--Inspecting rivet installations for understrength rivets; and
--Replacing understrength rivets on the elevator torque tube and rudder 
hinge.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of 
This AD

What Has FAA Decided?

    The FAA has reviewed all available information, including the 
service information referenced above; and determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other CDC Models SR20 and SR22 airplanes of the same type 
design;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information (as specified in this AD) should be accomplished on the 
affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

What Does This AD Require?

    This AD requires you to incorporate the actions in the previously 
referenced service bulletins.
    In preparation of this rule, we contacted type clubs and aircraft 
operators to obtain technical information and information on 
operational and economic impacts. We have included, in the rulemaking 
docket, a discussion of information that may have influenced this 
action.

Will I Have the Opportunity To Comment Prior to the Issuance of the 
Rule?

    Because the unsafe condition described in this document could 
result in failure of the control surfaces which could lead to a loss of 
control of the airplane in flight, we find that notice and opportunity 
for public prior comment are impracticable. Therefore, good cause 
exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This AD?

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, FAA invites your 
comments on the rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or 
arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and 
submit your comments to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received on or before the 
closing date specified above. We may amend this rule in light of 
comments received. Factual information that supports your ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking 
action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of the AD I Should Pay Attention To?

    We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view all comments we receive 
before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules Docket. We 
will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each FAA contact 
with the public that concerns the substantive parts of this AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want us to acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you 
must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write 
``Comments to Docket No. 2001-CE-46-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail 
the postcard back to you.

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

    These regulations will 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. Therefore, FAA has determined that this 
final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    We have determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation 
that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in 
aircraft, and is not a significant regulatory action under Executive 
Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves 
an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this 
emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is 
not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules 
Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
Reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

2001-25-03  Cirrus Design Corporation: Amendment 39-12556; Docket 
No. 2001-CE-46-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD applies to 
the following airplane models and serial numbers that are 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SR20.................................  1134 through 1159.
SR22.................................  0003 through 0119.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and replace understrength rivets in 
the elevator and rudder, which could result in failure of the 
control surfaces. Such failure could lead to a loss of control of 
the airplane in flight.
    (d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this 
problem, you must accomplish the following actions:

[[Page 63915]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect for               Within the next 10    For Model SR 20
 understrength rivets on the   hours time-in-        airplanes, follow
 elevator torque tube and      service after         the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 rudder hinge.                 December 17, 2001     INSTRUCTIONS
                               (the effective date   section in Cirrus
                               of this AD).          Design Service
                                                     Bulletin SB 20-55-
                                                     06, issued November
                                                     27, 2001. For Model
                                                     SR 22 airplanes,
                                                     follow the
                                                     ACCOMPLISHMENT
                                                     INSTRUCTIONS
                                                     section in Cirrus
                                                     Design Service
                                                     Bulletin SB 22-55-
                                                     03, issued November
                                                     27, 2001.
(2) If an understrength       Before further        For Model SR 20
 rivet is found, replace it    flight after the      airplanes, follow
 with a new rivet, part        inspection            the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 number MS20470AD4, or FAA-    referenced in         INSTRUCTIONS
 approved equivalent part      paragraph (d)(1) of   section in Cirrus
 number.                       this AD.              Design Service
                                                     Bulletin SB 20-55-
                                                     06, issued November
                                                     27, 2001. For Model
                                                     SR 22 airplanes,
                                                     follow the
                                                     ACCOMPLISHMENT
                                                     INSTRUCTIONS
                                                     section in Cirrus
                                                     Design Service
                                                     Bulletin SB 22-55-
                                                     03, issued November
                                                     27, 2001.
(3) Do not install part       As of December 17,    Not Applicable.
 number MS20470A4 rivet.       2001 (the effective
                               date of this AD).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Chicago ACO, approves your alternative. Submit 
your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Chicago ACO.

    Note: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, 
or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For 
airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the 
performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/
operator must request approval for an alternative method of 
compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, 
alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; 
and, if you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Gregory J. Michalik, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 
E. Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, IL 60018 telephone: (847) 
294-7135; facsimile: (847) 294-7834.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Cirrus Design Service Bulletin No. SB 20-55-06, issued November 
27, 2001, and Cirrus Design Service Bulletin No. SB 22-55-03, issued 
November 27, 2001. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. You can get copies from Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor 
Circle, Duluth, MN 55811, telephone: (218) 529-7202, facsimile: 
(218) 727-2148. You may view this information at FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on December 17, 2001.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 4, 2001.
Dorenda Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30423 Filed 12-10-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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