Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 69 (Monday, April 11, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21250-21253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07798]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5457; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-008-AD; 
Amendment 39-18469; AD 2016-07-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation, Inc. 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 all 
Textron Aviation, Inc. Models 310 through 310R, E310H, E310J, T310P 
through T310R, 310J-1, 320 through 320F, 320-1, 335, 340, 340A, 401 
through 401B, 402 through 402C, 411, 411A, 414, 414A, and 421 through 
421C

[[Page 21251]]

airplanes (type certificates 3A10, 3A25, and A7CE previously held by 
Cessna Aircraft Company). This AD requires replacement and repetitive 
inspections of the hardware securing the elevator trim push-pull rod. 
This AD was prompted by lessons learned in accident investigation 
support, analysis of past accidents, and NTSB determinations of 
probable cause. That information indicates that following the loss of 
the attachment hardware connecting the elevator trim tab actuator to 
the elevator trim tab push-pull rod, the elevator tab may jam in a 
position outside the normal limits of travel. We are issuing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 26, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 26, 
2016.
    We must receive comments on this AD by May 26, 2016.

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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
Textron Aviation Customer Service, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 
67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 517-7271; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: https://support.cessna.com/custsupt/csupport/newlogin.jsp. You may review this 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. It is also available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2016-5457.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
5457; 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 street address for the Docket 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: Adam Hein, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 S. Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4116; fax: (316) 946-4107; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    This AD was prompted by accident reports on Textron Aviation, Inc. 
Models T310Q, 310Q, and 402B airplanes. Lessons learned in the accident 
investigation support, analysis of past accidents, and NTSB 
determinations of probable cause indicate that following the loss of 
the attachment hardware connecting the elevator trim tab actuator to 
the elevator trim tab push-pull rod, the elevator tab may jam in a 
position outside the normal limits of travel.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in a loss of the 
ability to control the airplane. We are issuing this AD to correct the 
unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Textron Aviation, Inc. (Cessna Aircraft Company) Multi-
engine Service Bulletin No. MEB-27-02, dated February 29, 2016. The 
service information describes procedures for replacing the hardware 
connecting the elevator trim push-pull rod to the elevator trim 
actuator and elevator trim tab. This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section of this AD.

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 replacement and repetitive inspection of the 
elevator trim tab push-pull rod connecting hardware.

Differences Between the AD and the Service Information

    Due to the immediate safety of flight condition of this AD action, 
we are requiring replacement of the hardware within 90 days after the 
effective date of this AD rather than the potential of up to a year as 
allowed in the service information.

FAA's Justification and 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 the 
loss of the attachment hardware connecting the elevator trim tab 
actuator to the elevator trim tab push-pull rod may result in jamming 
of the elevator trim tab beyond normal limits, which could result in 
loss of ability to control the airplane. 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-2016-5457 and 
Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-008-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 5,066 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 21252]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elevator trim push-pull rod hardware    1 work-hour x $85 per             $18.50         $103.50        $524,331
 replacement.                            hour = $85.
Repetitive Inspection.................  1 work-hour x $85 per     ..............              85         430,610
                                         hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. This is 
the same replacement that is initially required by this AD. We have no 
way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this 
repetitive on-condition replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elevator trim push-pull rod hardware            1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85          $18.50         $103.50
 replacement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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):

2016-07-24 Textron Aviation, Inc.: Amendment 39-18469; Docket No. 
FAA-2016-5457; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-008-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 26, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Textron Aviation, Inc. Models 310 through 
310R, E310H, E310J, T310P through T310R, 310J-1, 320 through 320F, 
320-1, 335, 340, 340A, 401 through 401B, 402 through 402C, 411, 
411A, 414, 414A, and 421 through 421C airplanes (type certificates 
3A10, 3A25, and A7CE previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company), 
all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2731, Elevator Tab Control System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by lessons learned in accident 
investigation support, analysis of past accidents, and NTSB 
determinations of probable cause. That information confirms that 
following the loss of the attachment hardware connecting the 
elevator trim tab actuator to the elevator trim tab push-pull rod, 
the elevator tab may jam in a position outside the normal limits of 
travel and could result in loss of control. We are issuing this AD 
to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through 
(f)(3) of this AD within the compliance times specified.
    (1) Within the next 90 days after April 26, 2016 (the effective 
date of this AD), replace the elevator trim push-pull rod attachment 
hardware on the elevator trim actuator and the trim tab ends of the 
push-pull rod following steps 2 through 5 of the accomplishment 
instructions in Textron Aviation, Inc. (Cessna) Multi-engine Service 
Bulletin No. MEB-27-02, dated February 29, 2016.
    (2) Following the replacement required in paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD, at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS or 12 months, 
whichever occurs first, repetitively inspect the elevator trim push-
pull rod attachment hardware on the elevator trim actuator and the 
trim tab ends of the push-pull rod, and replace the hardware if 
necessary before further flight following the Compliance NOTE on 
page 1 of Textron Aviation, Inc. (Cessna) Multi-engine Service 
Bulletin No. MEB-27-02, dated February 29, 2016.
    (3) After April 26, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), any 
time the elevator trim push-pull rod attachment hardware on the 
elevator trim actuator and/or trim tab ends of the push-pull rod is 
removed for any reason, discard the old hardware (bolt, nut, washer 
and cotter pin) and replace with new hardware following steps 3 and/
or step 5 of

[[Page 21253]]

Textron Aviation, Inc. (Cessna) Multi-engine Service Bulletin No. 
MEB-27-02, dated February 29, 2016.

(g) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are allowed for this AD per 14 CFR 39.23 
with the following limitation: Before flight a pre-flight inspection 
is required of the attachment hardware connecting the elevator trim 
tab actuator to the elevator trim tab push-pull rod. Confirmation of 
the presence of a castellated nut and cotter pin is required.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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. 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 paragraph 
(i) 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.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Adam Hein, Aerospace 
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 S. 
Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-
4116; fax: (316) 946-4107; email: [email protected].

(j) 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) Textron Aviation, Inc. (Cessna) Multi-engine Service 
Bulletin No. MEB-27-02, dated February 29, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Textron Aviation, Inc. (Cessna) service information 
identified in this AD, contact Textron Aviation Customer Service, 
P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; 
fax: (316) 517-7271; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: https://support.cessna.com/custsupt/csupport/newlogin.jsp
    (4) You may view this 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2016-5457.
    (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 March 30, 2016.
Jacqueline Jambor,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-07798 Filed 4-8-16; 8:45 am]
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