Airworthiness Directives; The Cessna Aircraft Company Models C208 and C208B Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 57 (Friday, March 25, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15223-15227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5915]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20514; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-08-AD; 
Amendment 39-14025; AD 2005-07-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Cessna Aircraft Company Models C208 
and C208B Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
The Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 208 and 208B airplanes. 
This AD requires you to incorporate information into the applicable 
section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). This AD results from 
several accidents/incidents of problems with the affected airplanes 
during operations in icing conditions, including six accidents in the 
previous two icing seasons and nine events in the past few months. We 
are issuing this AD to assure that the pilot has enough information to 
prevent loss of control of the airplane while in-flight during icing 
conditions.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on March 29, 2005.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by April 30, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this AD:
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-001.
    <bullet> Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    <bullet> To get the service information identified in this proposed 
AD, contact The Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, PO Box 7706, 
Wichita, Kansas 67277-7706; telephone: (316) 517-5800; facsimile: (316) 
942-9006.
    To view the comments to this AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. The 
docket number is FAA-2005-20514; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-08-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Pellicano, Aerospace Engineer 
(Icing), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, c/o Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), One Crown Center, 1985 Phoenix Boulevard, 
Suite 450, Atlanta, GA 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6064; facsimile: 
(770) 703-6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    What events have caused this AD? The FAA has received several 
reports of accidents/incidents concerning problems with Cessna Models 
C208 and C208B airplanes during operations in icing conditions. This 
includes a total of six accidents in the previous two icing seasons and 
nine events in the past few months. Most of the accidents occur on 
approach and landing. One-third are suspected to be in supercooled 
large droplets, icing conditions outside the 14 CFR part 25 Appendix C 
certification envelope. The Cessna Models C208 and C208B are 
certificated to 14 CFR part 23, but 14 CFR part 23 references 14 CFR 
part 25 Appendix C for icing certification. The following chart shows 
the monthly breakdown of the icing accidents/incidents of the affected 
airplanes:

[[Page 15224]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25MR05.105

    The information shows that icing accidents/incidents are just as 
prevalent or more prevalent during the months of March and April than 
in November, December, and January. Therefore, the next month is 
critical for the continued operational safety of the Cessna Models C208 
and C208B in icing conditions.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If the pilot 
does not have enough information on flight into icing conditions in the 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), then loss of control of the airplane 
could occur.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Cessna 
has developed revisions to the FAA-approved AFM to address this issue, 
as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Document                             Affects
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Temporary Revision 208PHTR04,  Cessna Model 208, all models and serial
 dated March 2, 2005, to the    numbers.
 FAA-approved Airplane Flight
 Manual.
Revision 5 of of the 208 (675  Cessna Model C208 airplanes with a Pratt
 SHP) FAA-approved Flight       & Whitney Canada Ltd., PT6A-114A
 Supplement 1 ``Known Icing     turboprop engine installed (675 SHP) or
 Equipment'', Cessna document   FAA-approved engine of equivalent
 D1352-S1-05, dated March 2,    horsepower installed, except airplanes
 2005.                          modified by Supplemental Type Manual
                                Certificate SA00892WI.
Revision 5 of of the 208 (600  Cessna Model C208 airplanes with a Pratt
 SHP) FAA-approved Flight       & Whitney Canada Ltd., PT6A-114
 Manual Supplement S1 ``Known   turboprop engine installed (600 SHP) or
 Icing Equipment'', Cessna      FAA-approved engine of equivalent
 document D1307-S1-05, dated    horsepower approved installed, except
 March 2, 2005.                 airplanes modified by Supplemental Type
                                Certificate SA00892WI.
Revision 6 of the 208B (675    Cessna Model C208B airplanes with a Pratt
 SHP) FAA-approved Flight       & Whitney of Canada Ltd., PT6A-114A
 Manual Supplement S1 ``Known   turboprop engine installed (675 SHP) or
 Icing Equipment'', Cessna      FAA-approved engine of equivalent
 document D1329-S1-06, dated    horsepower installed, except airplanes
 March 2, 2005.                 modified by Supplemental Type
                                Certificate SA00892WI.
Revision 5 of the 208B (600    Cessna Model C208B airplanes with a Pratt
 SHP) FAA-approved Flight       & Whitney of Canada Ltd., PT6A-114
 Manual Supplement S1 ``Known   turboprop engine installed (600 SHP) or
 Icing Equipment'', Cessna      FAA-approved engine of equivalent
 document D1309-S1-05, dated    horsepower installed, except airplanes
 March 2, 2005.                 modified by Supplemental Type
                                Certificate SA00892WI.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the AD

    What has FAA decided? We have evaluated all pertinent information 
and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop 
on other products of the same type design.
    Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other type design Cessna Models C208 and C208B airplanes, 
we are issuing this AD to assure that the pilot has enough information 
to prevent loss of control of the airplane while in-flight during icing 
conditions.

[[Page 15225]]

    What does this AD require? This AD requires you to incorporate the 
above-referenced documents into the AFM.
    In preparing this rule, we contacted type clubs and aircraft 
operators to get technical information and information on operational 
and economic impacts. We did not receive any information through these 
contacts that influenced our decision. The majority of the respondents 
supported the dissemination of the information in the revised AFM.
    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 
22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes 
material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and 
alternative methods of compliance. This material previously was 
included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 
CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

Comments Invited

    Will I have the opportunity to comment before you issue the rule? 
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment; however, we invite you to submit any written relevant data, 
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20514; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-08-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed 
comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with the docket 
number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back 
to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify it. If a person contacts us through a 
nonwritten communication, and that contact relates to a substantive 
part of this AD, we will summarize the contact and place the summary in 
the docket. We will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend the AD in light of those comments.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 
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 AD.

Regulatory Findings

    Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this 
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. 
This AD 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.
    Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    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); and
    3. 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket FAA-2005-20514; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-08-AD'' in 
your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

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 (AD):

2005-07-01 The Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-14025; Docket 
No. FAA-2005-20514; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-08-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on March 29, 2005.

Are Any Other ADs Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects Models C208 and C208B, all serial numbers, 
that are certificated in any category.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD results from several accidents/incidents of problems 
with the affected airplanes during operations in icing condition, 
including six accidents in the previous two icing seasons and nine 
events in the past few months. We are issuing this AD to assure that 
the pilot has enough information to prevent loss of control of the 
airplane while in-flight during icing conditions.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) No later than April 1, 2005 (3 days after March 29, 2005, 
which is the effective date of this AD), incorporate the following 
revisions into the Airplane Flight Manual:

[[Page 15226]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Revise the
                                                     Performance Section
                                                     (Section 5) of the
                                                      AFM Supplement by
                                 Incorporate the        inserting the
     Affected airplanes           following AFM     following text (this
                               revision  document      may be done by
                                                     inserting a copy of
                                                     this AD in the AFM
                                                         Supplement)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Cessna Model C208         Section 2:            None.
 airplanes and Model C208B     Limitations and
 airplanes, all serial         Section 4: Normal
 numbers.                      Procedures:
                               Temporary Revision
                               208PHTR04, dated
                               March 2, 2005, to
                               the Pilots
                               Operating Handbook
                               (POH) and FAA-
                               approved Airplane
                               Flight Manual
                               (AFM), except
                               replace the
                               Limitations
                               (Section 2) of the
                               Temporary Revision
                               208PHTR04 to the
                               POH/FAA-approved
                               AFM with the
                               Appendix to this
                               AD. (This may be
                               done by inserting a
                               copy of this AD
                               into the POH/AFM.).
-----------------------------
(2) Cessna Model C208         Section 9: Optional   WARNING: The stall
 airplanes with a Pratt &      Systems Description   warning system has
 Whitney of Canada Ltd.,       and Operating         not been tested in
 PT6A-114A turboprop engine    Procedures:           all icing
 installed (675 SHP) or FAA-   Revision 5 of the     conditions and
 approved engine of            208 (675 SHP) POH/    should not be
 equivalent horsepower         FAA-approved AFM      relied upon in
 installed, except airplanes   Supplement S1         icing conditions.
 modified by Supplemental      ``Known Icing
 Type Certificate SA0892WI.    Equipment'' Cessna
                               document D1352-S1-
                               05, dated March 2,
                               2005.
-----------------------------
(3) Cessna Model C208         Section 9: Optional   WARNING: The stall
 airplanes with a Pratt &      Systems Description   warning system has
 Whitney of Canada Ltd.,       and Operating         not been tested in
 PT6A-114 turboprop engine     Procedures Revision   all icing
 installed (600 SHP) or FAA-   5 of the Cessna       conditions and
 approved engine of            Model 208 (600 SHP)   should not be
 equivalent horsepower         POH/FAA-approved      relied upon in
 installed, except airplanes   AFM Supplement S1     icing conditions.
 modified by Supplemental      ``Known Icing
 Type Certificate SA00892WI.   Equipment'', Cessna
                               document D1307-S1-
                               05, dated March 2,
                               2005, except
                               incorporate the
                               Appendix to this AD
                               into paragraphs
                               ``PREFLIGHT'' and
                               ``VISUAL/TACTILE
                               CHECK'' of the
                               Limitations Section
                               of the POH/FAA-
                               approved AFM
                               Supplement S1
                               ``Known Icing
                               Equipment''.
-----------------------------
(4) Cessna Model C208B        Section 9: Optional   WARNING: The stall
 airplanes with a Pratt &      Systems Description   warning system has
 Whitney of Canada Ltd.,       and Operating         not been tested in
 PT6A-114A turboprop engine    Procedures Revision   all icing
 installed (675 SHP) or FAA-   6 of the 208B (675    conditions and
 approved engine of            SHP) POH/FAA-         should not be
 equivalent horsepower         approved AFM          relied upon in
 installed, except airplanes   Supplement S1         icing conditions.
 modified by Supplemental      ``Known Icing
 Type Certificate SA00892WI.   Equipment'', Cessna
                               document D1329-S1-
                               06, dated March 2,
                               2005.
-----------------------------
(5) Cessna Model C208B        Section 9: Optional   WARNING: The stall
 airplanes with a Pratt &      Systems Description   warning system has
 Whitney of Canada Ltd.,       and Operating         not been tested in
 PT6A-114A turboprop engine    Procedures Revision   all icing
 installed (600 SHP) or FAA-   5 of the 208B (600    conditions and
 approved engine of            SHP) POH/FAA-         should not be
 equivalent horsepower         approved AFM          relied upon in
 installed, except airplanes   Supplement S1         icing conditions.
 modified by Supplemental      ``Known Icing
 Type Certificate SA00892WI.   Equipment'', Cessna
                               document D1309-S1-
                               05, dated March 2,
                               2005.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot 
certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may do the flight manual changes 
requirement of this AD. Make an entry in the aircraft records 
showing compliance with this portion of the AD following section 
43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (g) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Staff, Small 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, c/o Paul Pellicano, Aerospace Engineer 
(Icing), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, c/o Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix 
Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, GA 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6064; 
facsimile: (770) 703-6097. For information on any already approved 
alternative methods of compliance, contact Paul Pellicano at the 
address and phone number above.

May I Get Copies of the Document Referenced in this AD?

    (h) You may obtain the service information referenced in this AD 
from The Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, PO Box 7706, 
Wichita, Kansas 67277-7706; telephone: (316) 517-5800; facsimile: 
(316) 942-9006. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management 
Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. This is docket number FAA-2005-
20048; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-08-AD.

Appendix to AD 2005-07-01, Amendment 39-14025

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20514; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-08-AD]

Preflight

    Takeoff is prohibited with any frost, ice, snow, or slush 
adhering to the wings, horizontal stabilizer, control surfaces, 
propeller blades, and engine inlets.

Warning

    Even small amounts of frost, ice, and snow, or slush on the wing 
may adversely change lift and drag. Failure to remove these 
contaminants will degrade airplane performance and may prevent a 
safe takeoff and climbout.

Visual/Tactile Check

    In addition to a visual check, a tactile check of the wing 
leading edge, wing upper surface (up to two feet behind the deicing 
boot at on-span location as a minimum), horizontal tail leading 
edge, and propeller

[[Page 15227]]

blades is required if the outside air temperature (OAT) is below 
5[deg] C (41[deg] F) and visible moisture (rain, drizzle, sleet, 
snow, fog etc.) is present or the airplane was exposed to visible 
moisture (rain, drizzle, sleet, snow, fog etc.) since the previous 
landing; or the airplane experienced in-flight ice accretion since 
the previous takeoff; or the difference between the dew point 
temperature and the OAT is 3[deg] C (5[deg] F) or less; or water is 
present on the wing. Reference the preflight procedures in Section 4 
of the basic Pilot's Operating Handbook.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 21, 2005.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5915 Filed 3-24-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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