[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 5 (Friday, January 7, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1075-1076]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-377]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-229-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Model 750 Citation X Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); rescission.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document proposes to rescind an existing airworthiness
directive (AD), applicable to all Cessna Model 750 Citation X series
airplanes, that currently requires repetitive in-flight functional
tests to verify proper operation of the secondary horizontal stabilizer
pitch trim system, and repair, if necessary. The actions specified by
that AD are intended to detect and correct such contamination and
damage, which could result in simultaneous failure of both primary and
secondary pitch trim systems, and consequent reduced controllability of
the airplane. Since the issuance of that AD, an improved part has been
developed, which, if installed, would terminate the repetitive tests;
that improved part has been installed on all affected airplanes or is
being installed in production. Therefore, the identified unsafe
condition no longer exists.
DATES: Comments must be received by February 22, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-229-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
Information pertaining to this proposed rule may be examined at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joel M. Ligon, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road,
Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316)
946-4138; fax (316) 946-4407.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall 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,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NM-229-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 99-NM-229-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On July 29, 1998, the FAA issued AD 98-16-17, amendment 39-10693
(63 FR 42206, August 7, 1998), applicable to all Cessna Model 750
Citation X series airplanes, to require repetitive in-flight functional
tests to verify proper operation of the secondary horizontal stabilizer
pitch trim system, and repair, if necessary. That action was prompted
by reports of simultaneous failures of the primary and secondary
horizontal stabilizer pitch trim system during flight, due to internal
water contamination and corrosion damage in the system actuator. The
requirements of that AD are intended to detect and correct such
contamination and damage, which could result in simultaneous failure of
both primary and secondary pitch trim systems, and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
Since the issuance of that AD, the manufacturer has developed a
modification (reference Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-27-23, dated
February 2, 1999) that involves replacement of the horizontal
stabilizer trim system actuator with an improved actuator incorporating
a moisture condenser. The improved design will prevent internal water
contamination and corrosion damage of the actuator. The FAA has
determined that installation of this improved actuator will adequately
address the unsafe condition identified in AD 98-16-17, and will
eliminate the need for the repetitive in-flight functional tests
required by that AD.
The manufacturer has verified that the modification has been
accomplished on all affected airplanes, including those in production,
and on all actuators in operators' inventories. Therefore, the unsafe
condition cannot be reintroduced into the fleet.
FAA's Conclusions
Since all affected airplanes, including those in production, and
all actuators in operators' inventories have been modified, the FAA has
determined that it is necessary to rescind AD 98-16-17 in order to
prevent operators from performing an unnecessary action.
This proposed action would rescind AD 98-16-17. Rescission of AD
98-16-17 would constitute only such action, and, if followed by a final
action, would not preclude the agency from issuing another notice in
the future, nor would it commit the agency to any course of action in
the future.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 52 airplanes of U.S. registry are affected
by AD 98-
[[Page 1076]]
16-17. The actions that are currently required by that AD take
approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $6,240, or $120 per airplane. However, the adoption of this
proposed rescission would eliminate those costs.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ``ADDRESSES.''
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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 removing amendment 39-10693.
Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket 99-NM-229-AD. Rescinds AD 98-16-17,
Amendment 39-10693.
Applicability: All Model 750 Citation X series airplanes,
certificated in any category.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 3, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-377 Filed 1-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
