Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Model 441, 500, 550, and 560 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 246 (Friday, December 22, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66484-66485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-31151]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-56-AD; Amendment 39-9456; AD 95-25-10]


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Model 441, 500, 550, and 560 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Cessna Model 441, 500, 550, and 560 series 
airplanes, that requires replacement of outflow/safety valves with 
serviceable valves. This amendment is prompted by a report of cracking 
and subsequent failure of outflow safety valves in the pressurization 
system. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such 
cracking and subsequent failure of the outflow/safety valves, which 
could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

DATES: Effective January 22, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 22, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Allied Signal, Inc., Controls and Accessories, 1110 North 
Oracle Road, Tucson, Arizona 85737-9588. This information may be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter Eierman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712; telephone (310) 627-5336; fax (310) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Cessna Model 441, 500, 550, and 
560 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 
18, 1995 (60 FR 43089). That action proposed to require replacement of 
certain discrepant outflow/safety valves with serviceable valves.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. 
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require 
the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    There are approximately 150 Model 441, 500, 550, and 560 series 
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 120 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this 
AD, that it will take approximately 12 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $86,400, or $720 per airplane. 
However, the manufacturer has advised that it will provide replacement 
parts at no cost to the operator and will reimburse operators for the 
labor costs of the required removal and replacement.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

95-25-10 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-9456. Docket 95-NM-
56-AD.

    Applicability: Model 441, 500, 550, and 560 series airplanes; 
equipped with Allied Signal outflow/safety valves; as identified in 
Allied Signal Aerospace Service Bulletins 103576-21-4054, 103576-21-
4056, and 103648-21-4055, all dated January 30, 1995; certificated 
in any category. 

[[Page 66485]]

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent cracking and subsequent failure of the outflow/safety 
valves, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the outflow/safety valve in accordance with Allied Signal 
Aerospace Service Bulletin 103576-21-4054 (for Model 441 series 
airplanes), 103576-21-4056 (for Model 500 and 550 series airplanes), 
or 103648-21-4055 (for Model 560 series airplanes), all dated 
January 30, 1995, as applicable.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an outflow/safety valve, having a part number and serial number 
identified in Allied Signal Aerospace Service Bulletin 103576-21-
4054 (for Model 441 series airplanes), 103576-21-4056 (for Model 500 
and 550 series airplanes), or 103648-21-4055 (for Model 560 series 
airplanes), all dated January 30, 1995, on any airplane unless that 
valve is considered to be serviceable in accordance with the 
applicable service bulletin.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Allied 
Signal Aerospace Service Bulletin 103576-21-4054, dated January 30, 
1995; Allied Signal Aerospace Service Bulletin 103576-21-4056, dated 
January 30, 1995; or Allied Signal Aerospace Service Bulletin 
103648-21-4055, dated January 30, 1995, as applicable. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Allied Signal Inc., Controls and 
Accessories, 1110 North Oracle Road, Tucson, Arizona 85737-9588. 
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on January 22, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 5, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-31151 Filed 12-21-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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