Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 34 (Wednesday, February 22, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11307-11310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03363]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0122; Directorate Identifier 2017-NM-010-AD; 
Amendment 39-18809; AD 2017-04-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation Inc. (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by 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 
Textron Aviation Inc. Model 560XL airplanes. This AD requires 
inspections of the fuel tube and right alternating current (AC) 
generator wires. This AD was prompted by reports of inadequate 
separation between the electrical wire bundle and fuel tube. We are 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 9, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 9, 
2017.
    We must receive comments on this AD by April 10, 2017.

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 final rule, contact 
Textron Aviation Inc., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS 67277; telephone 316-
517-6215; fax 316-517-5802; email [email protected]; Internet 
https://support.cessna.com/custsupt/csupport/newlogin.jsp. You may view 
this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the

[[Page 11308]]

FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0122.

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-2017-
0122; 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: Craig Henrichsen, Aerospace Engineer, 
Electrical Systems and Avionics, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Dwight D. 
Eisenhower Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4110; fax: 316-
946-4107; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We have been notified by Textron Aviation Inc. of a windshield heat 
failure reported by a flight crew. During follow-on troubleshooting 
activities, the maintenance crew discovered an open circuit breaker in 
the tail cone area after finding the AC generator electrical wires 
chafed against a motive flow fuel tube that was leaking. Additional 
inspections by the operator found two more airplanes with chafing 
damage to the wires and fuel tube. Textron Aviation Inc. also found 
evidence of damage to the electrical wire bundle on two other 
airplanes. Further inspections have found inadequate separation between 
the electrical wire bundle and fuel tube on 19 airplanes in service. 
The airplane quality inspection failed to identify the wire separation 
problem prior to airplane delivery. Inadequate separation between the 
fuel tube and electrical wire bundle, if not corrected, could result in 
chafing, a possible fuel leak, and electrical arcing, which could lead 
to a fuel ignition source and possible uncontrolled fire in the tail 
cone of the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Textron Aviation Service Letter SL560XL-24-07, 
including Attachment, dated January 13, 2017. The service information 
describes procedures for inspections of the fuel tube and right AC 
generator wires, applicable adjustments, and corrective actions. 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.

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. This AD also requires sending the 
inspection results to Textron Aviation Inc. For information on the 
procedures and compliance times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0122.
    The phrase ``related investigative actions'' is used in this AD. 
Related investigative actions are follow-on actions that (1) are 
related to the primary action, and (2) further investigate the nature 
of any condition found.
    The phrase ``corrective actions'' is used in this AD. Corrective 
actions correct or address any condition found.

Interim Action

    This AD is considered to be interim action. The inspection reports 
that are required by this AD will enable the manufacturer to obtain 
better insight into the nature, cause, and extent of the damage, and 
eventually to develop final action to address the unsafe condition. 
Once final action has been identified, we might consider further 
rulemaking.

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 
inadequate separation between the electrical wire bundle and fuel tube 
could result in chafing, electrical arcing, and a possible fuel leak, 
leading to a fuel ignition source and possible uncontrolled fire in the 
tail cone of 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-2017-0122 and 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NM-010-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 639 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections........................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour               $0             $85         $54,315
                                      = $85.
Reporting..........................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour                0              85          54,315
                                      = $85.
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[[Page 11309]]

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs or 
replacements 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 repairs or replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fuel tube repair or replacement............  7 work-hours x $85 per hour = $595.            $321            $916
Electrical wiring replacement..............  8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $680.            \1\4          \1\684
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\These figures are based on 1 foot of wire at $4 per foot.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to 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 control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden 
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA 
at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

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):

2017-04-14 Textron Aviation Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held 
by Cessna Aircraft Company): Amendment 39-18809; Docket No. FAA-
2017-0122; Directorate Identifier 2017-NM-010-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 9, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Textron Aviation Inc. (Type Certificate 
previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Model 560XL airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in Textron Aviation 
Service Letter SL560XL-24-07, dated January 13, 2017.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical 
power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of inadequate separation between 
the electrical wire bundle and fuel tube. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct inadequate separation and consequent chafing, 
which could result in electrical arcing and a fuel leak, leading to 
a fuel ignition source and possible uncontrolled fire in the tail 
cone of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspections, Adjustments, and Corrective Actions

    Within 25 flight hours or 180 days after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first, do general visual inspections of 
the fuel tube and right alternating current (AC) generator wires for 
evidence of damage, do all applicable adjustments, and do all 
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Textron Aviation Service Letter SL560XL-24-07, 
including Attachment, dated January 13, 2017. All applicable 
adjustments and corrective actions must be done before further 
flight.

(h) Reporting

    Submit a report of the findings (both positive and negative) of 
the inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD to Textron 
Aviation Inc. as specified in Textron Aviation Service Letter 
SL560XL-24-07, including Attachment, dated January 13, 2017, at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD.
    (1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this 
AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the effective date of 
this AD.

[[Page 11310]]

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), are not allowed.

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

(k) 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 paragraph (l) 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.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Craig Henrichsen, 
Aerospace Engineer, Electrical Systems and Avionics, ACE-119W, FAA, 
Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Dwight D. Eisenhower 
Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4110; fax: 316-946-4107; 
email: [email protected].

(m) 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 Service Letter SL560XL-24-07, including 
Attachment, dated January 13, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Textron Aviation Inc., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS 67277; telephone 
316-517-6215; fax 316-517-5802; email [email protected]; 
Internet https://support.cessna.com/custsupt/csupport/newlogin.jsp.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (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 Renton, Washington, on February 9, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-03363 Filed 2-21-17; 8:45 am]
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