Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 80 (Thursday, April 25, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24343-24346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09214]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0880; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-004-AD; 
Amendment 39-17422; AD 2013-08-05]
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 (Cessna) Model 525 airplanes equipped with 
certain part number (P/N) air conditioning (A/C) compressor motors. 
This AD was prompted by reports of smoke and/or fire in the tailcone 
caused by brushes wearing beyond their limits on the A/C motor. This AD 
requires inspection of the number of hours on the A/C compressor hour 
meter, inspection of the logbook, replacement of the brushes on certain 
P/N A/C compressor motors or deactivation of the A/C system until 
replacement of the brushes, and reporting of airplane information 
related to the replacement of the brushes. We are issuing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 30, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 30, 2013.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, 
Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 942-9006; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: 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 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: Christine Abraham, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4165; fax: (316) 946-4107; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that 
would apply to the specified products. That SNPRM published in the 
Federal Register on December 6, 2012 (77 FR 72778). The original NPRM 
(77 FR 50644, August 22, 2012) proposed to require inspection of the 
number of hours on the A/C compressor hour meter, inspection of the 
logbook, and

[[Page 24344]]

replacement of the brushes on certain P/N A/C compressor motors or 
deactivation of the A/C system until replacement of the brushes. The 
SNPRM proposed to retain the actions proposed in the original NPRM 
while revising proposed procedures for deactivating the A/C compressor 
motor.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request Removal of Statement About Operating Temperature Limitations

    Cessna requested removal of the statement in paragraph (i) of the 
supplemental NPRM about the compressor: ``While the system is 
deactivated, aircraft operators must remain aware of operating 
temperature limitations as detailed in the specific airplane flight 
manual.''
    Cessna stated that the Vapor Cycle Air Condition System (VCCS) is 
normally activated during defog operation. The VCCS is not essential 
for flight following the FAA's issued Master Minimum Equipment List 
(MMEL), but its deactivation will have an operational impact that 
should be identified. Cessna reasoned that there is no mention of the 
compressor in the airplane flight manual (AFM) temperature limitations 
section; consequently, the statement provides no value and should be 
removed.
    We agree that the statement does not directly relate to the unsafe 
condition. In discussion with Cessna, we learned that the temperature 
limitations were inadvertently removed from later revisions to the AFM. 
In March 2013, Cessna issued a temporary change to add the temperature 
limitations back into the AFM. Since this temporary change was not 
included in certain revisions of the AFM, the temporary change will not 
be required for airplanes previously produced.
    We changed the statement in the final rule AD action from an action 
statement to a recommendation in a note.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
SNPRM (77 FR 72778, December 6, 2012) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the SNPRM (77 FR 72778, December 6, 2012).

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. The return of those brushes 
with a discernible amount of hours time-in-service (TIS) and the 
reporting requirement will enable us to determine whether the current 
500-hour TIS limit and replacement intervals are appropriate. After we 
analyze the data received, we may take future rulemaking action.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 408 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect and replace drive motor     11 work-hours x $85    $252.................          $1,187        $484,296
 assembly brushes.                   per hour = $935.
Return shipment of brushes to the   $15 per return with    Not applicable.......              30          12,240
 manufacturer.                       two required returns.
Optional fabrication of placard     1 work-hour x $85 per  Not applicable.......              85          34,680
 for deactivation.                   hour = $85.
Optional deactivation or            1 work-hour x $85 per  Not applicable.......              85          34,680
 reactivation.                       hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.


[[Page 24345]]




Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2013-08-05 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-17422; Docket No. 
FAA-2012-0880; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-004-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 30, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Cessna Aircraft Company Model 525 airplanes, 
serial number (S/N) 525-0001 through 525-0558 and 525-0600 through 
525-0701, that
    (1) are equipped with part number (P/N) 1134104-1 or 1134104-5 
air conditioning (A/C) compressor motor; and
    (2) are certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 21, Air Conditioning.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of smoke and/or fire in the 
tailcone caused by brushes wearing beyond their limits on the A/C 
motor. We are issuing this AD to require replacement of the brushes 
on certain P/N A/C compressor motors or deactivation of the A/C 
system until replacement of the brushes. This AD also requires 
reporting of airplane information related to the replacement of the 
brushes.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspections

    Within the next 30 days after May 30, 2013 (the effective date 
of this AD) or within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
May 30, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs 
first, do the following:
    (1) Inspect the number of hours on the A/C compressor hour 
meter; and
    (2) Check the airplane logbook for any entry for replacing the 
A/C compressor motor brushes with new brushes or replacing the 
compressor motor or compressor condenser module assembly (pallet) 
with a motor or assembly that has new brushes.
    (i) If the logbook contains an entry for replacement of parts as 
specified in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, determine the number of 
hours on the A/C compressor motor brushes by comparing the number of 
hours on the compressor motor since replacement and use this number 
in paragraph (h) of this AD; or
    (ii) If through the logbook check you cannot positively 
determine the number of hours on the A/C compressor motor brushes as 
specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD, you must use the number 
of hours on the A/C compressor hour meter to comply with the 
requirements of this AD and use this number in paragraph (h) of this 
AD or presume the brushes have over 500 hours TIS.

(h) Replacement

    At whichever of the compliance times in paragraph (h)(1) of this 
AD or paragraph (h)(2) of this AD occurs later, using the hour 
reading on the A/C compressor hour meter determined in paragraph (g) 
of this AD, replace the A/C compressor motor brushes with new 
brushes. Record the hours on the A/C compressor hour meter in the 
maintenance records at the time of replacement and repetitively 
thereafter replace the A/C compressor motor brushes no later than 
every 500 hours TIS on the A/C compressor motor. Do the replacement 
following Page 1, of Subject 4-11-00, dated April 23, 2012, of 
Cessna Aircraft Company Model 525 Maintenance Manual, Revision 23, 
dated July 1, 2012.
    (1) Before or when the A/C compressor motor brushes reach a 
total of 500 hours TIS; or
    (2) Before further flight after the inspection required in 
paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD if the A/C compressor motor brush 
hours cannot be positively determined.

(i) Deactivation

    In lieu of replacing the A/C compressor motor brushes, before or 
when the A/C compressor motor brushes reach a total of 500 hours 
TIS, you may deactivate the A/C. Remove the fuse limiter that 
supplies power to the A/C compressor motor, fabricate and install a 
placard that states: ``A/C DISABLED.'' Install the placard by the A/
C selection switch prohibiting use of the vapor cycle air 
conditioner and document deactivation of the system in the airplane 
logbook referring to this AD as the reason for deactivation.

    Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD: While the system is 
deactivated, we recommend airplane operators remain aware of the 
operating temperature limitations found in the Cessna March 2013 
temporary revision to the airplane flight manual.

    (1) Do the steps in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(viii) of 
this AD to remove the compressor fuse limiter.
    (i) Open aft baggage compartment.
    (ii) Remove aft baggage compartment dividers.
    (iii) Disconnect the main battery connector from the battery.
    (iv) Tag the battery and external power receptacle with a 
warning tag that reads: ``WARNING: Do not connect the battery 
connector or external power cart during the maintenance in 
progress.''
    (v) Remove wing nuts that attach the cover to the aft power J-
Box.
    (vi) Remove the aft power J-Box cover.
    (vii) Remove nuts securing compressor fuse limiter (Reference 
Designator HZ028, P/N ANL100) to bus bar. Retain nuts.
    (viii) Remove the compressor motor fuse limiter from the 
terminals and retain for future reinstallation once compressor motor 
brushes have been replaced.
    (2) A properly certified mechanic must fabricate and install the 
placard as specified in paragraphs (i)(2)(i) and (i)(2)(ii) of this 
AD:
    (i) Use 1/8-inch black lettering on a white background; and
    (ii) Install the placard on the instrument panel in close 
proximity to the A/C selection switch.
    (3) Do the steps in paragraphs (i)(3)(i) through (i)(3)(v) of 
this AD to return the airplane to service with the compressor motor 
fuse limiter removed.
    (i) Install fuse limiter nuts on the terminals and torque to 100 
inch-pounds +5 or -5 inch-pounds.
    (ii) Install the aft power J-Box cover with the wing nuts.
    (iii) Remove the warning tag on the battery and external power 
receptacle.
    (iv) Connect battery connector to battery.
    (v) Install aft baggage compartment dividers.
    (4) If you choose to deactivate the system and then later choose 
to return the A/C system to service: Before returning the A/C system 
to service and removing the placard, you must apply the inspection 
and replacement requirements of the brushes as specified in 
paragraph (g) and (h) of this AD.

(j) Return of Replaced Parts and Reporting Requirement

    For the first two A/C compressor motor brush replacement cycles, 
within 30 days after the replacement or within 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, send the brushes 
that were removed to Cessna Aircraft Company, Cessna Service Parts 
and Programs, 7121 Southwest Boulevard, Wichita, KS 67215. Provide 
the information in paragraphs (j)(1) through (j)(6) of this AD with 
the brushes:
    (1) The Model and S/N of the airplane;
    (2) P/N of motor;
    (3) P/N of the brushes, if known;
    (4) The elapsed amount of motor hours since the last brush/motor 
replacement, if known;
    (5) If motor hours are unknown, report the elapsed airplane 
flight hours since the last brush/motor replacement and indicate 
that motor hours are unknown; and
    (6) Number of motor hours currently displayed on the pallet hour 
meter.

(k) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are permitted with the following 
limitation: Operation of the A/C system is prohibited.

(l) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the

[[Page 24346]]

burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., 
Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, AES-200.

(m) 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.

(n) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Christine Abraham, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4165; fax: (316) 946-4107; 
email: [email protected].

(o) 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.
    (i) Page 1, of Subject 4-11-00, dated April 23, 2012, of Cessna 
Aircraft Company Model 525 Maintenance Manual, Revision 23, dated 
July 1, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Cessna Aircraft Company service information identified 
in this AD, contact Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. 
Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: 
(316) 942-9006; email: [email protected]; Internet: 
www.cessna.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) 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 April 8, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09214 Filed 4-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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