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

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21547-21548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07749]



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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2022 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 21547]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0014; Project Identifier AD-2021-00114-A; 
Amendment 39-22006; AD 2022-08-03]
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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Textron Aviation Inc. (type certificate previously held by 
Cessna Aircraft Company) (Textron) Model 120 and 140 airplanes and all 
Model 140A airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of seat belt 
center bracket failures from overstress. This AD requires determining 
if the seat belt center bracket is made of steel and replacing any non-
steel brackets. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 17, 2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Textron Aviation Inc., One Cessna Blvd., Wichita, KS 67215; 
phone: (316) 517-5800; email: [email protected]; website: https://support.cessna.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0014; 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, any 
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket 
Operations is 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: Bobbie Kroetch, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita, KS 
67209; phone: (316) 946-4155; email: [email protected] or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered 
Textron (type certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) 
Model 120 and 140 airplanes and all Model 140A airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on January 27, 2022 (87 FR 4168). The 
NPRM was prompted by reports of seat belt center bracket failures. 
Analysis of the failures determined the original aluminum seat belt 
center bracket does not have sufficient strength and can fail due to 
overstress during incidents and accidents. In the NPRM, the FAA 
proposed to require determining if the seat belt center bracket is made 
of steel and replacing any non-steel brackets. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the seat belt center bracket, which could lead 
to failure of the seat belt restraint system and injury to occupants.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Cessna Single Engine Service Bulletin SEB-25-03, 
dated February 17, 2015. This service information specifies the 
location of the affected seat belt center bracket. This service 
information also contains a figure depicting the location of the 
seatbelt center bracket.
    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

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2,033 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            airplane        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Determine material of the seat    0.25 work-hour x     Not applicable...........          $21.25      $43,201.25
 belt center bracket.              $85 per hour =
                                   $21.25.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that may be required. The agency has no way of determining 
the number of airplanes that might need these replacements:

[[Page 21548]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost       airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace any non-steel seat belt center bracket  0.75 work-hour x $85 per hour =              $79         $142.75
                                                 $63.75.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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:

2022-08-03 Textron Aviation Inc. (Type Certificate previously held 
by Cessna Aircraft Company): Amendment 39-22006; Docket No. FAA-
2022-0014; Project Identifier AD-2021-00114-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 17, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Textron Aviation Inc. (Type Certificate 
previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Model 120 and 140 
airplanes, serial numbers (S/Ns) 10070 through 15075, and Model 140A 
airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2510, Flight 
Compartment Equipment.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of seat belt center bracket 
failures from overstress. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the seat belt center brackets. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could result in failure of the seat belt center 
bracket, which could lead to failure of the seat belt restraint 
system and injury to occupants.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
determine if the seatbelt center bracket located between the two 
seats is made of steel by placing a magnet on the center of the 
bracket. This action may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) 
holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered 
into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in 
accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 
91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 
91.417. This authority is not applicable to aircraft being operated 
under 14 CFR part 119.
    (i) If the seat belt center bracket is made of steel, no 
additional action is required.
    (ii) If the seat belt center bracket is not made of steel, 
within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, replace with a 
steel part number (P/N) 0425132 seat belt center bracket.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a seat 
belt center bracket P/N 0425132 that is not made of steel on any 
airplane.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita 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 (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 Bobbie Kroetch, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport 
Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946-4155; email: 
[email protected] or [email protected].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on April 6, 2022.
Derek Morgan,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-07749 Filed 4-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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