Airworthiness Directives; Cirrus Design Corporation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 113 (Thursday, June 11, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35553-35555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12498]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0546; Project Identifier 2020-CE-001-AD; Amendment 
39-21137; AD 2020-03-50]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cirrus Design Corporation Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Cirrus Design Corporation (Cirrus) Model SF-50 airplanes. This 
AD was sent previously as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and 
operators of these airplanes. This AD requires disconnecting and 
removing the headset amplifier and microphone interface circuit card 
assemblies for the 3.5 mm audio and microphone jacks. This AD was 
prompted by a cabin fire incident that occurred on a Cirrus Model SF50 
airplane during ground operations where the operator observed smoke 
exiting from behind the right sidewall interior panel. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 11, 2020 to all persons except those 
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2020-
03-50, issued on February 14, 2020, which contained the requirements of 
this amendment.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication identified in this AD as of June 11, 
2020.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by July 27, 2020.

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 https://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 
Cirrus Design Corporation; 4515 Taylor Circle Duluth, MN 55811; phone: 
(800) 279-4322; email: [email protected]; internet: https://cirrusaircraft.com. You may view the referenced service information at 
the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 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 https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0546.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0546; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed 
above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Dubusky, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, 
Illinois 60018; phone: 847-294-7543; fax: 847-294-7834; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On February 14, 2020, the FAA issued Emergency AD 2020-03-05, which 
requires disconnecting and removing the headset amplifier and 
microphone interface circuit card assemblies. This emergency AD was 
sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these 
airplanes. This action was prompted by a cabin fire incident that 
occurred on a Cirrus Model SF50 airplane during ground operations. The 
operator observed smoke exiting from behind the right sidewall interior 
panel located behind crew seat 2 and forward of passenger seat 5. The 
investigation into the incident determined the probable root cause was 
a malfunction of the headset amplifier (part number (P/N) 38849-001) 
and the microphone interface (P/N 35809-001) circuit card assemblies 
for the 3.5 millimeter (mm) audio and microphone jacks. This 
malfunction can result in an electrical short and subsequent 
uncontained cabin fire without activating circuit protection.
    This condition, if not addressed, could lead to an uncontained 
cabin fire, resulting in possible occupant injury or loss of airplane 
control.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Cirrus Alert Service Bulletin Number SBA5X-23-03, 
dated February 7, 2020 (SBA5X-23-03). The service information contains 
instructions to disconnect and remove the headset amplifier and 
microphone interface circuit card assemblies for the 3.5 mm audio and 
microphone jacks. 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

    The FAA is issuing this AD because it 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 SBA5X-23-03 
as described previously.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that required the immediate adoption of 
Emergency AD 2020-03-50, issued on February 14, 2020, to all known U.S. 
owners and operators of these airplanes. The FAA found that the risk to 
the flying public justified waiving notice and comment prior to 
adoption of this rule because immediate corrective action was necessary 
to prevent an electrical short and subsequent uncontained cabin fire, 
which could result in occupant injury or loss of airplane control. 
These conditions still exist and the AD is hereby published in the 
Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective to all 
persons. Therefore, the FAA finds good cause that notice and

[[Page 35554]]

opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable. In addition, 
for the reasons stated above, the FAA finds 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, the FAA invites you to send any written data, views, 
or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include Docket Number FAA-2020-0546 
and Project Identifier 2020-CE-001-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final 
rule. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments the FAA receives, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive 
verbal contact that is received about this final rule.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 173 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                Action                        Labor cost          Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remove audio and microphone circuit    6 work-hours x $85 per              N/A            $510          $88,230
 cards.                                 hour = $510.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. The FAA does control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in its 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.
    The FAA is 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 Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, 
RFA analysis is not required.

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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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:

2020-03-50 Cirrus Design Corporation: Amendment 39-21137; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0546; Project Identifier 2020-CE-001-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 11, 2020 to 
all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by Emergency AD 2020-03-50, issued on February 14, 2020, 
which contained the requirements of this amendment.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Cirrus Design Corporation (Cirrus) Model SF50 
airplanes, serial numbers 0005 through 0176 and 0178, certificated 
in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air 
Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 23; Communications.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a cabin fire incident that occurred on a 
Cirrus Model SF50 airplane during ground operations. The 
investigation into the incident determined the probable root cause 
was a malfunction of the headset amplifier (part number (P/N) 38849-
001) and the microphone interface (P/N 35809-001) circuit card 
assemblies for the 3.5 millimeter (mm) audio and microphone jacks. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent an electrical short and 
subsequent uncontained cabin fire, which could result in occupant 
injury or loss of airplane control.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Corrective Action

    Before further flight, disconnect and remove the headset 
amplifier and microphone interface circuit card assemblies by 
following the Accomplishment Instructions, steps A. and G. through 
K., of

[[Page 35555]]

Cirrus Alert Service Bulletin Number SBA5X-23-03, dated February 7, 
2020.

(h) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Chicago ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (j) 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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Joe Dubusky, 
Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, 2300 E. Devon Ave., Des 
Plaines, IL 60018; phone: 847-294-7543; fax: 847-294-7834; email: 
[email protected].

(k) 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) Cirrus Alert Service Bulletin Number SBA5X-23-03, dated 
February 7, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For the service information identified in this AD, contact 
Cirrus Design Corporation, Cirrus Design Corporation; 4515 Taylor 
Circle Duluth, MN 55811; phone: (800) 279-4322; email: 
[email protected]; internet: https://cirrusaircraft.com.
    (4) You may view the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 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 the service information that is incorporated by 
reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For more information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on May 28, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-12498 Filed 6-10-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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