[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 15 (Friday, January 23, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3455-3458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1297]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-150-AD; Amendment 39-10287; AD 98-01-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172R and
182S Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-01-01, which was sent
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of certain Cessna
Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 172R and 182S airplanes. This AD
requires fabricating and installing placards to prohibit operation in
instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions and use of the alternate
static air source; inspecting the alternate static air source valve to
assure that the alternate static air source port is not restricted by
the identification placard and to assure that the valve body does not
separate from the valve flange; and reworking or replacing as
necessary. The AD was the result of reports of improper installation of
the identification placard on the alternate static air source. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent erroneous
indications from the altimeter, airspeed, and vertical speed
indicators, which could cause the pilot to react to incorrect flight
information and possibly result in loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective February 2, 1998, to all persons except those to whom
it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 98-01-01,
issued December 22, 1997, which contained the requirements of this
amendment.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director
[[Page 3456]]
of the Federal Register as of February 2, 1998.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before March 16, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-150-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from
the Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita,
Kansas 67277. This information may also be examined at the Rules Docket
at the address above, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Joel Ligon, Aerospace Engineer,
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-
Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4138;
facsimile (316) 946-4407.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On December 22, 1997, the FAA issued priority letter AD 98-01-01,
which applies to Cessna Models 172R and 182S airplanes. That AD
resulted from reports of improper installation of the identification
placard on the alternate static air source. This placard was installed
on the valve body in a location that covers the external orifice, which
is the inlet for static air reference into the valve.
Cessna discovered the problem during a preflight static check on a
Model 172R airplane. Further investigation and a purge of stock at the
manufacturing facility revealed 21 valve assemblies having the
identification placard installed over the static air reference orifice.
Cessna has no way of verifying how many of these assemblies were
manufactured and sent to the field with the identification placard
installed over the static air reference orifice.
Several of these assemblies have been identified and corrected on
the above-referenced airplanes. The FAA has no way of determining which
airplanes have the remaining problem alternate static air source
assemblies installed without having all of the affected airplanes
inspected.
These assemblies are required for flight into instrument flight
rules (IFR) conditions as defined in Sec. 91.411 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 91.411). Use of these assemblies is
optional in visual flight rules (VFR) conditions.
If these assemblies are not identified and reworked or replaced,
selection of the alternate air source will cause the altimeter,
airspeed, and vertical speed indicators to display erroneous
indications. This could cause the pilot to react to incorrect flight
information and possibly result in loss of control of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Cessna has issued Service Bulletin No. SB97-34-02, Revision 1,
dated December 22, 1997, which includes:
--Procedures for inspecting the alternate static air source valve to
assure that the alternate static air source port is not restricted by
the identification placard and to assure that the valve body does not
separate from the valve flange;
--Procedures for reworking the alternate static air source valve if the
port is restricted; and
--Reference to replacing the alternate static air valve assembly if the
valve body separates from the valve flange in accordance with the
maintenance manual.
Cessna is providing warranty credit for both labor and parts for
required inspections, reworks, and replacements.
The FAA's Determination and Explanation of the AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Cessna Models 172R and 182S of the same type
design, the FAA issued priority letter AD 98-01-01 to prevent erroneous
indications from the altimeter, airspeed, and vertical speed
indicators, which could cause the pilot to react to incorrect flight
information and possibly result in loss of control of the airplane. The
AD requires the following:
--Immediately fabricating placards that prohibit operation in IFR
conditions and prohibit use of the alternate static air source, and
installing these placards in the cockpit within the pilot's clear view;
--Eventually inspecting the alternate static air source valve to assure
that the alternate static air source port is not restricted by the
identification placard and to assure that the valve body does not
separate from the valve flange;
--Reworking the alternate static air source assembly if the port is
restricted; and
--Replacing the alternate static air source assembly if the valve body
separates from the valve flange.
Accomplishment of the inspection and rework is required in
accordance with the previously referenced service information.
Accomplishment of the replacement is required in accordance with the
applicable maintenance manual.
Determination of the Effective Date of the AD
Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required,
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters
issued on December 22, 1997, to all known U.S. operators of certain
Cessna Models 172R and 182S airplanes. 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 as to all persons.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not
preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications
received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered,
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-CE-150-AD.'' The
[[Page 3457]]
postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
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.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action''
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
98-01-01 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-10287; Docket No.
97-CE-150-AD.
Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers,
certificated in any category:
Model 172R Airplanes: serial numbers 17280003 through 17280171,
17280173 through 17280175, 17280177 through 17280179, 17280182
through 17280184, 17280186, 17280189, 17280190, 17280192 through
17280212, 17280214, 17280216 through 17280221, 17280223 through
17280236, 17280239 through 17280251, 17280253 through 17280263,
17280265, 17280268, 17280270 through 17280272, 17280283, 17280297,
and 17280301; and
Model 182S Airplanes: serial numbers 18280001, 18280002,
18280004 through 18280045, 18280048 through 18280060, 18280062
through 18280064, 18280067, and 18280070.
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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (h) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished, except to those operators receiving this
action by priority letter issued December 22, 1997, which made these
actions effective immediately upon receipt.
To prevent erroneous indications from the altimeter, airspeed,
and vertical speed indicators, which could cause the pilot to react
to incorrect flight information and possibly result in loss of
control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to further flight after the effective date of this AD,
fabricate placards with the following words, using letters at least
\1/8\-inch in height, and install these placards in the cockpit
within the pilot's clear view:
(1) ``IFR operation is prohibited.''
(2) ``Use of the alternate static air source is prohibited.''
(b) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the
effective date of this AD or within the next 4 calendar months after
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the
alternate static air source valve to assure that the alternate
static air source valve is not restricted by the identification
placard and to assure that the valve body does not separate from the
valve flange in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin No. SB97-34-
02, Revision 1, dated December 22, 1997.
(1) If the alternate static air source valve is restricted,
prior to further flight after the inspection required by paragraph
(b) of this AD, rework the alternate static air source assembly in
accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin No. SB97-34-02, Revision 1,
dated December 22, 1997.
(2) If the valve body separates from the valve flange, replace
the alternate static air source assembly in accordance with the
maintenance manual at one of the compliance times presented below
(paragraph (b)(2)(i) or (b)(2)(ii) of this AD):
(i) Prior to further flight to eliminate the operating
limitations required by the placards in paragraphs (a), (a)(1), and
(a)(2) of this AD; or
(ii) Within the next 25 hours TIS after the inspection provided
the operating limitations required by the placards in paragraphs
(a), (a)(1), and (a)(2) of this AD are adhered to.
(c) The placard requirements of paragraphs (a), (a)(1), and
(a)(2) of this AD may be eliminated when the inspection, rework, and
replacement requirements are accomplished as specified in paragraphs
(b), (b)(1), and (b)(2) of this AD.
(d) The inspection, rework, and replacement requirements
specified in paragraphs (b), (b)(1), and (b)(2) of this AD may be
accomplished at any time prior to ``within the next 100 hours TIS
after the effective date of this AD or within the next 4 calendar
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
first.''
(e) Within 10 days after the inspection required by paragraph
(b) of this AD, send the results of the inspection in writing to the
FAA at the address specified in paragraph (h) of this AD. Include
the serial number of the airplane and state whether the alternate
static air source assembly needed to be reworked or replaced.
(Reporting approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB
No. 2120-0056).
(f) Fabricating and installing the placards as required by
paragraph (a) of this AD may be performed by the owner/operator
holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by
section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and
must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with
this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
(g) 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.
(h) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita,
Kansas 67209. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate
FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to
the Manager, Wichita ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Wichita ACO.
(i) The inspection and rework required by this AD shall be done
in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin No. SB97-34-02, Revision
1, dated December 22, 1997. 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 the
Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita,
Kansas 67277. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
[[Page 3458]]
(j) This amendment (39-10287) becomes effective on February 2,
1998, to all persons except those persons to whom it was made
immediately effective by priority letter AD 98-01-01, issued
December 22, 1997, which contained the requirements of this
amendment.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 12, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-1297 Filed 1-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
