Airworthiness Directives; The Cessna Aircraft Company Model 750 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 186 (Monday, September 27, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59062-59065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23834]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0380; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-009-AD; 
Amendment 39-16444; AD 2010-20-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Cessna Aircraft Company Model 750 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), which applies to all Model 750 airplanes. That AD currently 
requires inspecting the inboard-hinge brackets of the left and right 
elevators for cracking and doing related investigative and corrective 
actions if necessary. For certain airplanes, this new AD requires 
inspecting for cracks of the bracket of the inboard horizontal 
stabilizer and measuring the lug thickness of the horizontal stabilizer 
hinges; doing corrective actions if necessary; and modifying the left 
and right elevators and left and right horizontal stabilizer. For all 
airplanes, this new AD requires replacing the existing elevator

[[Page 59063]]

assemblies with new elevator assemblies, which terminates the 
requirements of the existing AD. This new AD also revises the 
applicability to remove certain airplanes. This AD results from a 
report of cracking found on the elevator inboard-hinge brackets and the 
horizontal stabilizer hinges. We are issuing this AD to prevent such 
cracking of the elevator inboard-hinge brackets and the horizontal 
stabilizer hinges, which could result in structural failure of the 
elevators and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 1, 2010.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of November 1, 
2010.
    On November 22, 2006 (71 FR 65047, November 7, 2006), the Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a 
certain other publication listed in the AD.

ADDRESSES: 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; e-mail [email protected]; 
Internet https://www.cessnasupport.com/newlogin.html.

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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: T.N. Baktha, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 
67209; telephone (316) 946-4155; fax (316) 946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2006-23-05, amendment 
39-14817 (71 FR 65047, November 7, 2006). The existing AD applies to 
all Model 750 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on April 8, 2010 (75 FR 17879). That NPRM proposed to continue 
to require inspecting the inboard-hinge brackets of the left and right 
elevators for cracking and doing related investigative and corrective 
actions if necessary. For certain airplanes that NPRM proposed to 
require an inspection for cracks and corrosion of the bracket of the 
inboard horizontal stabilizer and measuring the lug thickness of the 
horizontal stabilizer hinges; doing corrective actions if necessary; 
and modifying the left and right elevators and left and right 
horizontal stabilizer. For all airplanes, that NPRM proposed to require 
replacing the existing elevator assemblies with new elevator 
assemblies, which would terminate the requirements of the existing AD. 
That NPRM also proposed to revise the applicability to remove certain 
airplanes.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments that have been 
received on the NPRM.

Request To Remove References to Corrosion

    Cessna Aircraft Company requests that in the ``Differences Between 
the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin'' section of the NPRM the 
sentence, ``This proposed AD would also require an inspection for 
corrosion and replacement of any corroded brackets,'' be removed. 
Cessna states that corrosion of the brackets has not been an issue, and 
current maintenance practices are sufficient. Cessna states that the 
requirement to inspect the horizontal hinge brackets for corrosion will 
complicate compliance for operators that have already complied with 
previous revisions of Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-27-62. Cessna 
states that the addition of an inspection for corrosion of the 
horizontal inboard hinge in paragraph (k)(1) of the NPRM is not 
specified in Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-27-62, Revision 3, dated 
August 21, 2009.
    We agree with Cessna's request. Since the NPRM was issued, we have 
received sufficient technical information to support the request. We 
have changed the AD to remove references to corrosion.

Request To Clarify Table 1 of the NPRM

    Cessna states that it is unclear which requirements of paragraph 
(k) of the NPRM are covered by previous revisions of Cessna Service 
Bulletin SB750-27-62. Cessna requests that we amend Table 1 of the NPRM 
to reference paragraphs (k)(1), (k)(2), and (k)(3) of the NPRM.
    We partially agree with Cessna's request. In lieu of revising Table 
1 of this AD, we have changed paragraph (l) of this AD to show that 
actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD, in 
accordance with the service bulletins identified in Table 1 of this AD, 
are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
requirements of paragraphs ``(k)(1), (k)(2), and (k)(3) of this AD.''

Request To Clarify the Effect of Previous Compliance

    JATEC requests that we explain how the NPRM affects airplanes that 
have already complied with Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-27-62, 
Revision 3, dated August 21, 2009. JATEC asks if anything further is 
required once Revision 3 has been incorporated.
    As specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, you are responsible for 
having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance 
time specified, unless the actions have already been done. In addition, 
as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD, once the actions required by 
that paragraph are accomplished, the requirements of paragraphs (g) 
through (j) of this AD are terminated; no further action is required. 
No changes to this AD are necessary in this regard.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments that have been received, and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described 
previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase 
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this AD.

[[Page 59064]]



                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                   Number  of
                                                        Average                                                      U.S.-
              Action                   Work hours      labor rate         Parts            Cost per  airplane      registered          Fleet cost
                                                        per hour                                                   airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection (required by AD 2006-   2................          $85  $0.................  $170....................          253  $43,010.
 23-05).
Modification and Replacement (new  Up to 200........           85  The manufacturer     Up to $17,000...........          253  Up to $4,301,000.
 actions).                                                          states that it
                                                                    will supply parts
                                                                    to the operators
                                                                    at no cost.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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.
    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 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
removing amendment 39-14817 (71 FR 65047, November 7, 2006) and by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2010-20-10 The Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-16444. Docket 
No. FAA-2010-0380; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-009-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective November 1, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-23-05, Amendment 39-14817.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Cessna Aircraft Company Model 750 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Cessna 
Service Bulletin SB750-27-62, Revision 3, dated August 21, 2009.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from a report of cracking found on the 
elevator inboard-hinge brackets and the horizontal stabilizer 
hinges. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to 
prevent cracking of the elevator inboard-hinge brackets and the 
horizontal stabilizer hinges, which could result in structural 
failure of the elevators and consequent loss of control of the 
airplane.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2006-23-05, With No Changes

Inspection

    (g) After the airplane accumulates 2,500 total flight hours: 
Perform a general visual inspection for cracking of the inboard-
hinge brackets of the left and right elevators in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Cessna Alert Service Letter 
ASL750-27-21, dated October 13, 2006. Do the inspection before the 
airplane accumulates 3,000 total flight hours, or within 10 flight 
hours after November 22, 2006 (the effective date of AD 2006-23-05), 
whichever is later.

    Note 1:  For the purposes of this AD, a general visual 
inspection is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

    (h) If any crack is found during the inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, perform an eddy 
current inspection of the inboard-hinge brackets to determine the 
crack length, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Cessna Alert Service Letter ASL750-27-21, dated October 13, 2006; 
and do the actions specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this 
AD, as applicable, at the time specified. All corrective actions 
must be done using a method approved by the Manager, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For a replacement method 
to be approved by the Manager, Wichita ACO, as required by this 
paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to 
this AD.

[[Page 59065]]

    (1) If the crack is 0.30 inch or more: Replace the bracket 
before further flight.
    (2) If the crack is less than 0.30 inch: Continued flight for a 
maximum of 10 flight hours for repositioning of the airplane and 
replacement of the bracket is allowed, within the restricted flight 
envelope included in the attachment to Cessna Alert Service Letter 
ASL750-27-21, dated October 13, 2006, titled ``Flight 
Restrictions.''

Special Flight Permits

    (i) Special flight permits, as described in Section 39.23 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.23), are allowed with the 
limitations required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.

No Reporting or Return of Parts to Manufacturer

    (j) Cessna Alert Service Letter ASL750-27-21, dated October 13, 
2006, specifies submitting a sheet related to inspection results to 
the manufacturer; this AD does not include that requirement. The 
service letter also specifies sending the elevator assembly to the 
manufacturer for replacement of the inboard-hinge bracket if a crack 
is found that is 0.30 inch or more; however, this AD requires 
corrective actions be done using a method approved by us.

New Requirements of This AD

    (k) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
applicable actions required by paragraphs (k)(1), (k)(2), (k)(3), 
and (k)(4) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-27-62, Revision 3, 
dated August 21, 2009. Accomplishing the actions required by 
paragraph (k) of this AD terminates the requirements of paragraphs 
(g) through (j) of this AD.
    (1) For all airplanes except those having S/Ns 288 through 305 
inclusive: Do an eddy current inspection for cracks of the bracket 
of the inboard horizontal stabilizer. Before further flight, replace 
any cracked bracket of the inboard horizontal stabilizer with a 
serviceable bracket.
    (2) For all airplanes except those having S/Ns 288 through 305 
inclusive: Measure the lug thickness of the horizontal stabilizer 
hinges. If the lug thickness is not within the acceptable tolerance 
range, as identified in Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-27-62, 
Revision 3, dated August 21, 2009, before further flight, replace 
the bearing plate with a serviceable bearing plate.
    (3) For all airplanes except those having S/Ns 288 through 305 
inclusive: Modify the left and right horizontal stabilizer; and add 
the modification part number of the horizontal stabilizer to the 
modification section of the MS27253-1 identification plate.
    (4) For all airplanes: Replace the existing elevator assemblies 
with new elevator assemblies having part numbers 6734000-17 (for the 
left side) and 6734000-18 (for the right side).

Credit for Actions Done Using the Previous Service Information

    (l) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with the service bulletins identified in Table 1 of this 
AD are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
requirements of paragraphs (k)(1), (k)(2), and (k)(3) of this AD.

             Table 1--Credit for Previous Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Revision
        Service Bulletin            level                Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-27-       (1)  October 13, 2008.
 62.
Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-27-         1  October 22, 2008.
 62.
Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-27-         2  December 17, 2008.
 62.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Original.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (m)(1) The Manager, Wichita ACO, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: T.N. Baktha, Aerospace 
Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, FAA, Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport 
Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; 
telephone (316) 946-4155; fax (316) 946-4107.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (n) You must use Cessna Alert Service Letter ASL750-27-21, 
excluding the attachment titled ``Inspection Results Form'' and 
including the attachment titled ``Flight Restrictions,'' dated 
October 13, 2006; and Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-27-62, Revision 
3, dated August 21, 2009, including Service Bulletin Supplemental 
Data, Revision D, dated September 18, 2009; as applicable; to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-27-62, 
Revision 3, dated August 21, 2009, including Service Bulletin 
Supplemental Data, Revision D, dated September 18, 2009, under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of Cessna Alert Service Letter ASL750-27-
21, excluding the attachment titled ``Inspection Results Form'' and 
including the attachment titled ``Flight Restrictions,'' dated 
October 13, 2006, on November 22, 2006 (71 FR 65047, November 7, 
2006).
    (3) 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; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.cessnasupport.com/newlogin.html.
    (4) You may review copies of the 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.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 15, 2010.
Robert D. Breneman,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-23834 Filed 9-24-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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