Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 226 (Friday, November 23, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70114-70116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26500]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0846; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-021-AD; 
Amendment 39-17237; AD 2012-22-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172R and 172S airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports of chafed fuel return line assemblies, which were 
caused by the fuel return line assembly rubbing against the right 
steering tube assembly during full rudder pedal actuation. This AD 
requires you to inspect the fuel return line assembly for chafing; 
replace the fuel return line assembly if chafing is found; inspect the 
clearance between the fuel return line assembly and both the right 
steering tube assembly and the airplane structure; and adjust as 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 28, 2012.
    Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of March 
13, 2012 (77 FR 6003, February 7, 2012).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Cessna Aircraft Company, Customer service, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS 
67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 517-7271; Internet: http://www.cessnasupport.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, MO 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 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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is 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: Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 S. Airport Road, Room 
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4148; fax: (316) 946-4107; 
email: [email protected].

[[Page 70115]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 20, 2012 (77 FR 
50054). That NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the fuel return 
line assembly for chafing; replace the fuel return line assembly if 
chafing is found; inspect the clearance between the fuel return line 
assembly and both the right steering tube assembly and the airplane 
structure; and adjust as necessary.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 50054, August 20, 
2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (77 FR 50054, August 20, 2012) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 50054, August 20, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 55 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                     Labor cost            Parts cost           product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection of the fuel return line  1 work-hour x $85     Not applicable......             $85           $4,675
 assembly for chafing and            per hour = $85.
 clearance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
and adjustments that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of the fuel return line assembly   1 work-hour x $85 per hour =               $123             $208
 and adjustment of the clearance between the    $85.
 fuel return line assembly and both the
 steering tube assembly and the airplane
 structure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

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):

2012-22-01 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-17237; Docket No. 
FAA-2012-0846; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-021-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 28, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Cessna Aircraft Company 
(Cessna) airplanes, certificated in any category:
    (1) Model 172R, serial numbers (S/N) 17280001 through 17281187, 
that have

[[Page 70116]]

incorporated Cessna Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SB04-28-03, 
dated August 30, 2004, and Engine Fuel Return System, Modification 
Kit MK172-28-01, dated August 30, 2004; and
    (2) Model 172S, S/N l72S8001 through 172S9490, that have 
incorporated Cessna Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SB04-28-03, 
dated August 30, 2004, and Engine Fuel Return System, Modification 
Kit MK172-28-01; dated August 30, 2004.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2820, Aircraft Fuel Distribution System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of chafed fuel return line 
assemblies caused by the fuel return line assembly rubbing against 
the right steering tube assembly during full rudder pedal actuation. 
We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these 
products.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspect the Fuel Return Line Assembly

    At whichever of the following that occurs later, inspect the 
fuel return line assembly (Cessna part number (P/N) 0500118-49) for 
chafing following Cessna Service Bulletin SB07-28-01, Revision 1, 
dated September 22, 2011.
    (1) At the next annual inspection after December 28, 2012 (the 
effective date of this AD); or
    (2) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
December 28, 2012 (the effective date of this AD); or
    (3) Within the next 12 calendar months after December 28, 2012 
(the effective date of this AD).

(h) Replace the Fuel Line Assembly

    If you find evidence of chafing of the fuel return line assembly 
(Cessna P/N 0500118-49) as a result of the inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, then before further flight, replace the 
fuel return line assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49) following Cessna 
Service Bulletin SB07-28-01, Revision 1, dated September 22, 2011.

(i) Inspect for a Minimum Clearance Between Certain Parts

    After any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD and no 
chafing of the fuel return line assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49) is 
found or after replacement of the fuel return line assembly (Cessna 
P/N 0500118-49) required by paragraph (h) of this AD, before further 
flight, inspect for a minimum clearance between the following parts 
throughout the range of copilot pedal travel:
    (1) A minimum clearance of 0.5 inch between the fuel return line 
assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49) and the right steering tube 
assembly (Cessna P/N MC0543022-2C); and
    (2) Visible positive clearance between the fuel return line 
assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49) and the airplane structure.

(j) Adjust Clearance for Fuel Return Line Assembly

    If the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and the 
right steering tube assembly and the clearance between the fuel 
return line assembly and the aircraft structure do not meet the 
minimums as specified in paragraphs (i)(l) and (i)(2) of this AD, 
before further flight, adjust the clearances to meet the required 
minimums following the Instructions paragraph of Cessna Service 
Bulletin SB07-28-01, Revision 1, dated September 22, 2011.

(k) Engine Fuel Return System Modification

    Do not incorporate Cessna Aircraft Company Engine Fuel Return 
System Modification Kit MK 172-28-01 as referenced in Service 
Bulletin SB 04-28-03, both dated August 30, 2004, without performing 
the actions in this AD before further flight after installation.

(l) 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.

(m) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Jeff Janusz, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 S. Airport Road, Room 
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4148; fax: (316) 946-
4107; email: [email protected].

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
March 13, 2012 (77 FR 6003, February 7, 2012).
    (i) Cessna Aircraft Company Cessna Service Bulletin SB07-28-01, 
Revision 1, dated September 22, 2011.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) For Cessna Aircraft Company service information identified 
in this AD, contact Cessna Aircraft Company, Customer service, P.O. 
Box 7706, Wichita, KS 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 
517-7271; Internet: http://www.cessnasupport.com.
    (5) You may view this service information at FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
    (6) You may view this 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 22, 2012.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-26500 Filed 11-21-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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