Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 1, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67346-67348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27596]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1161; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-036-AD; 
Amendment 39-16850; AD 2011-21-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 525C airplanes. This emergency 
AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these 
airplanes. This AD requires replacing certain lithium-ion batteries 
installed as the main aircraft battery with either a Ni-Cad or a lead 
acid battery. This AD was prompted by a report of a battery fire that 
resulted after an energized ground power unit was connected to one of 
the affected airplanes equipped with a lithium-ion battery as the main 
aircraft battery. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 1, 2011 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
2011-21-51, issued on October 6, 2011, which contained the requirements 
of this amendment.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication identified in the AD as of November 
1, 2011.
    We must receive comments on this AD by December 16, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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 AD, contact Cessna 
Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS 67277; 
telephone: (316) 517-6000; fax: (316) 517-8500; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.cessna.com. You 
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations Office 
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 street address for 
the Docket Operations 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: Richard Rejniak, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 67347]]

Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4128; fax: (316) 946-4107; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On October 6, 2011, we issued Emergency AD 2011-21-51, which 
requires replacing the lithium-ion main aircraft battery, Cessna part 
number (P/N) 9914788-1, with a Ni-Cad or a lead acid battery. This 
emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators 
of these airplanes. This action was prompted by a report of a battery 
fire that resulted after an energized ground power unit was connected 
to a Cessna Model 525C airplane equipped with a lithium-ion battery, 
Cessna P/N 9914788-1, as the main aircraft battery. This condition, if 
not corrected, could result in an aircraft fire.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Cessna Citation Service Bulletin SB525C-24-05, dated 
September 29, 2011. The service information describes procedures for 
replacing lithium-ion main aircraft batteries, Cessna P/N 9914788-1, 
with Ni-Cad or lead acid batteries.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing 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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because of a 
battery fire that resulted after an energized ground power unit was 
connected to one of the affected airplanes equipped with a certain 
lithium-ion battery as the main aircraft battery. If not corrected, 
this condition could lead to an aircraft fire. Therefore, we find that 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and 
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 
30 days.

Comments Invited

    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 send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2011-1161 and 
Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-036-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 43 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the lithium-ion main      2.5 work-hours x    From $4,314 to      From $4,526.50 to   From $194,639.50
 aircraft battery with a Ni-Cad    $85 per hour =      $7,076.             $7,288.50.          to $313,405.50.
 or a lead acid battery.           $212.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this 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

    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),
    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 67348]]

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):

2011-21-51 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-16850; Docket No. 
FAA-2011-1161; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-036-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 1, 2011 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency 
AD 2011-21-51, issued on October 6, 2011, which contained the 
requirements of this amendment.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 525C 
airplanes, serial numbers 0001 through 0052, that:
    (1) Have a lithium-ion battery, Cessna part number (P/N) 
9914788-1, installed as the main aircraft battery; and
    (2) are certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2432; Battery/Charger.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a battery fire that resulted 
after an energized ground power unit was connected to one of the 
affected airplanes equipped with a lithium-ion battery as the main 
aircraft battery. We are issuing this AD to prevent a potential 
battery fault that could lead to an aircraft fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replace the Lithium-Ion Main Aircraft Battery, Cessna P/N 9914788-1

    (1) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service after November 1, 
2011 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 7 days after 
November 1, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs 
first, replace the lithium-ion main aircraft battery, Cessna P/N 
9914788-1, following Cessna Citation Service Bulletin SB525C-24-05, 
dated September 29, 2011.
    (2) As of November 1, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), do 
not install a lithium-ion battery, Cessna P/N 9914788-1, on any of 
the affected airplanes.

(h) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits under 14 CFR 39.23 are allowed with the 
following limitation: ``Single and non-revenue flights only.''

(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

    For further information about this AD, contact: Richard Rejniak, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4128; fax: (316) 946-4107; 
email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use Cessna Citation Service Bulletin SB525C-24-05, 
dated September 29, 2011, to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 on November 1, 2011.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS 
67277; telephone: (316) 517-6000; fax: (316) 517-8500; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.cessna.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
    (4) 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 an NARA facility, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 19, 2011.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-27596 Filed 10-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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