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

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 58 (Tuesday, March 28, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15287-15290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05771]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-3705; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-168-AD; 
Amendment 39-18837; AD 2017-06-13]
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.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) Model 680 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by Textron's report of a manufacturing defect that affects the 
durability of the aft canted bulkhead metallic structure. This AD 
requires repetitive inspections of the aft canted bulkhead; repair if 
necessary; and a modification, which would terminate the repetitive 
inspections. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 2, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 2, 2017.

ADDRESSES: 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 review 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 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-2016-3705.

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-
3705; 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 Docket 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: Phuoc Le, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe 
Branch, ACE-118W, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 
1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport, Wichita, KS 
67209; phone: 316-946-4195; fax: 316-946-4107; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Textron Aviation 
Inc. Model 680 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
February 26, 2016 (81 FR 9790) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by 
Textron's report of a manufacturing defect that affects the durability 
of the aft canted bulkhead metallic structure. The manufacturing defect 
directly affects the bond integrity of the vertical and horizontal 
stiffeners on the aft canted bulkhead metallic structure. The NPRM 
proposed to require repetitive inspections of the aft canted bulkhead 
and repair if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to require a 
modification which would terminate the repetitive inspections. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent disbonding of the horizontal and vertical 
stiffeners on the aft canted bulkhead. Loss of bond integrity could 
result in a structural failure that could lead to separation of the 
cruciform tail and loss of control of the airplane.

Comments

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

Request To Limit Findings to ``Disbonding''

    NetJets Aviation, Inc. (NetJets) requested that we revise paragraph 
(h) of the proposed AD to remove ``cracked paint'' as a possible 
finding from the inspection. NetJets acknowledged that cracked paint, 
while not a safety concern on its own, should be investigated to ensure 
that it is not evidence of disbonding. NetJets indicated that the 
requirement for a disbond to be repaired per an alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC) is sufficient to ensure that the safety concern is 
addressed appropriately.
    We agree with the commenter that cracked paint may not be a safety 
concern on its own; however it is evidence that a disbond of the 
structure may have occurred and should be investigated further to 
ensure there is no evidence of disbonding. Thus, if cracked paint is 
found, operators must contact the FAA for procedures to determine 
whether the cracked paint was an indication of disbonding. We have 
revised paragraph (h) of this AD to clarify that operators must obtain 
instructions from the FAA and comply with those instructions.

Request To Have Cessna Engineering Drawing Be Made Available

    NetJets indicated that paragraph (n)(2) of the proposed AD states 
that the required service information is available from Textron. 
However, Netjets stated that Textron does not provide owners/operators 
with access to Cessna Engineering Drawing 6991115 (``Drawing 
6991115''), which is required for compliance with paragraph (i) of the 
proposed AD. NetJets added that the required service information is not 
available at the Federal Register and is not available to owners/
operators through the source identified in the proposed AD. NetJets 
indicated that Cessna Service Bulletin SB680-53-08, dated September 28, 
2015, states that only Textron-owned service centers can complete the 
modification and have access to Drawing 6991115. NetJets stated that 
access to Drawing 6991115 should be made available to owners/operators, 
and the proposed AD should

[[Page 15288]]

state that compliance at a Textron-owned service center is not required 
by the AD.
    We acknowledge that Drawing 6991115 is not available to owners/
operators. However, drawing 6991115 is only used for an airplane that 
is modified at a Textron-owned service center. Cessna Service Bulletin 
SB680-53-08, Revision 2, dated November 2, 2016 (``SB680-53-08, 
Revision 2'') (issued after the NPRM was published), includes a 
reference to Cessna Engineering Drawing 6991119 (``Drawing 6991119''), 
which should be available to owners/operators and contains approved 
data for owners/operators who choose to modify their airplanes at a 
non-Textron-owned service center. We have revised paragraph (i) of this 
AD to refer to SB680-53-08, Revision 2.

Request To Include the Revision Level for Cessna Engineering Drawing

    NetJets requested that the revision level for Drawing 6991115 be 
added to paragraph (i) of the proposed AD, and that paragraph (i) of 
the proposed AD allow later revisions to Drawing 6991115. Paragraph (i) 
of the proposed AD would require compliance with Cessna Service 
Bulletin SB680-53-08, dated September 28, 2015, which contains a 
reference to the modification instructions contained in Drawing 
6991115. Because neither Cessna Service Bulletin SB680-53-08, dated 
September 28, 2015, nor paragraph (i) of the proposed AD specifies the 
revision level of Drawing 6991115 that would be required for compliance 
with the proposed AD, NetJets asserted that it is not possible for an 
owner/operator to comply with its responsibility to ensure that FAA 
approval was obtained.
    We partially agree that there is a need to specify acceptable 
revision levels of Drawing 6991115. However, with the release of SB680-
53-08, Revision 2, Drawing 6991115 is no longer applicable for the 
owners/operators who elect to accomplish SB680-53-08, Revision 2, at a 
non-Textron facility. Instead, the revision levels of Drawing 6991119 
are now applicable for the owners/operators who will accomplish SB680-
53-08, Revision 2, at a non-Textron facility. Although SB680-53-08, 
Revision 2, specifies using the latest revision of Drawing 6991119, 
this AD allows use of any revision level of that drawing. We have added 
paragraph (k) to this AD to specify this provision; subsequent 
paragraphs have been redesignated accordingly. We have reviewed all 
existing revisions of Drawing 6991119, and have found all to be 
acceptable. In addition, paragraph (i) of this AD has been revised to 
specify compliance with SB680-53-08, Revision 2.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed the following Cessna service information.
    <bullet> Cessna Service Letter SL680-53-05, Revision 2, dated 
September 30, 2015. The service information describes procedures for a 
general visual inspection for disbonding and paint cracking around the 
edges of the stiffeners on the aft canted bulkhead.
    <bullet> Cessna Service Bulletin SB680-53-08, Revision 2, dated 
November 2, 2016. The service information describes procedures for 
modifying the airplane by installing additional stiffeners to the aft 
canted bulkhead.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 123 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection....................  1 work-hour x $85                 $0  $85 per inspection    $10,455 per
                                 per hour = $85 per                    cycle.                inspection cycle.
                                 inspection cycle.
Modification..................  180 work-hours x $85           3,190  18,490..............  2,274,270.
                                 per hour = $15,300.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
    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,

[[Page 15289]]

    (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):

2017-06-13 Textron Aviation Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held 
by Cessna Aircraft Company): Amendment 39-18837; Docket No. FAA-
2016-3705; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-168-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 2, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Textron Aviation Inc. (Type Certificate 
previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Model 680 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and 
(c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Model 680 Sovereign airplanes (commonly known as Citation 
Sovereign airplanes), having serial numbers: 680-0001, -0002, -0006, 
-0025, -0030, -0031, -0032, -0046, -0051, -0057, -0064, -0066, -
0067, -0082, -0104, -0108, -0112, -0118, -0120, -0125, -0132, -0139, 
-0140, -0141, -0144, -0147, -0148, -0149, -0153, -0157, -0160, -
0162, -0163, -0164, -0166, -0167, -0169, -0170, -0171, -0173, -0174, 
-0175, -0176, -0177, -0178, -0179, -0180, -0182, -0183, -0185, -
0186, -0192, -0193, -0196, -0200, -0202, -0204, -0205, -0206, -0208, 
-0211, -0216, -0220, -0221, -0222, -0227, -0229, -0230, -0231, -
0234, -0235, -0236, -0238, -0241, -0242, -0243, -0245, -0246, -0249, 
-0252, -0253, -0255, -0256, -0257, -0258, -0260, -0262, -0268, -
0270, -0271, -0280, -0282, -0283, -0284, -0285, -0289, -0291, -0292, 
-0296, -0297, -0300, -0301, -0302, -0303, -0304, -0306, -0307, -
0313, -0315, -0317, -0318, -0322, -0323, -0324, -0327, -0328, -0329, 
-0333, -0334, -0336, -0337, -0339, -0340, -0342, -0344, -0346, -
0347, -0348, and -0349.
    (2) Model 680 Sovereign airplanes (commonly known as Citation 
Sovereign+ airplanes) having serial numbers: 680-0501, -0504, -0505, 
-0509, -0510, -0511, -0512, -0513, -0514, -0515, -0516, -0517, -
0519, -0520, -0522, -0524, -0525, -0526, -0527, and -0531.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by Textron's report of a manufacturing 
defect which affects the durability of the aft canted bulkhead 
metallic structure. The manufacturing defect directly affects the 
bond integrity of the vertical and horizontal stiffeners on the aft 
canted bulkhead metallic structure. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent disbonding of the horizontal and vertical stiffeners on the 
aft canted bulkhead. Loss of bond integrity could result in a 
structural failure that may lead to separation of the cruciform tail 
and loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Inspections

    Before the accumulation of 7,000 total flight hours, or within 
100 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, perform a general visual inspection for disbonding and 
paint cracking around the edges of the stiffeners on the aft canted 
bulkhead, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Cessna Service Letter SL680-53-05, Revision 2, dated September 30, 
2015. Repeat the general visual inspection thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 100 flight hours, until the modification required by 
paragraph (i) of this AD is accomplished.

(h) Repair

    If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
any disbonding or cracked paint is found, before further flight, 
obtain instructions approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), ACE-118W, FAA, and, within the 
compliance time specified in those instructions, accomplish the 
instructions accordingly.

(i) Modification

    At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (i)(1) 
or (i)(2) of this AD, modify the airplane by installing additional 
stiffeners on the aft canted bulkhead, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Cessna Service Bulletin SB680-53-08, 
Revision 2, dated November 2, 2016, except as provided by paragraphs 
(k) and (l) of this AD. Doing this modification terminates the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes that have accumulated 7,000 or more total 
flight hours as of the effective date of this AD: Within 1,800 
flight hours or 24 months, whichever occurs first, after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 7,000 total 
flight hours as of the effective date of this AD: Within 3,600 
flight hours or 48 months, whichever occurs first, after the 
effective date of this AD.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Cessna Service Letter SL680-53-05, 
dated December 22, 2014; or Cessna Service Letter SL680-53-05, 
Revision 1, dated March 12, 2015.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraph (i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Cessna Service Bulletin SB680-53-08, 
dated September 28, 2015.

(k) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    Although Cessna Service Bulletin SB680-53-08, Revision 2, dated 
November 2, 2016, specifies using the latest revision of Drawing 
6991119, this AD allows using any revision level of that drawing.

(l) Provisions Regarding Reporting

    Although Cessna Service Bulletin SB680-53-08, Revision 2, dated 
November 2, 2016; and Cessna Service Letter SL680-53-05, Revision 2, 
dated September 30, 2015; specify to submit certain information to 
the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(m) 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.

(n) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita ACO, ACE-118W, 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 (o)(1) 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.

(o) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Phuoc Le, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-118W, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Dwight 
D. Eisenhower Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4195; fax: 
316-946-4107; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is

[[Page 15290]]

available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (p)(3) and (p)(4) 
of this AD.

(p) 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) Cessna Service Letter SL680-53-05, Revision 2, dated 
September 30, 2015.
    (ii) Cessna Service Bulletin SB680-53-08, Revision 2, dated 
November 2, 2016.
    (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 March 16, 2017.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-05771 Filed 3-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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