2012-26500. Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172R and 172S airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of chafed fuel return line assemblies, which were caused by the fuel return line assembly rubbing against the right steering tube assembly during full rudder pedal actuation. This AD requires you to inspect the fuel return line assembly for chafing; replace the fuel return line assembly if chafing is found; inspect the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and both the right steering tube assembly and the airplane structure; and adjust as necessary. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective December 28, 2012.

Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of March 13, 2012 (77 FR 6003, February 7, 2012).

ADDRESSES:

For service information identified in this AD, contact Cessna Aircraft Company, Customer service, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS 67277; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; Internet: http://www.cessnasupport.com. You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call [phone].

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov;​; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: [phone]) is Document Management Facility, 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:

Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 S. Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 20, 2012 (77 FR 50054). That NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the fuel return line assembly for chafing; replace the fuel return line assembly if chafing is found; inspect the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and both the right steering tube assembly and the airplane structure; and adjust as necessary.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 50054, August 20, 2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

• Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 50054, August 20, 2012) for correcting the unsafe condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 50054, August 20, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 55 airplanes of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators
Inspection of the fuel return line assembly for chafing and clearance	1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85	Not applicable	$85	$4,675

We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements and adjustments that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these replacements:

On-Condition Costs

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product
Replacement of the fuel return line assembly and adjustment of the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and both the steering tube assembly and the airplane structure	1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85	$123	$208

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.

We are 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) Is not a “significant rule” under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),

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

(4) 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
• 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

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

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2012-22-01 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-17237; Docket No. FAA-2012-0846; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-021-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective December 28, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to the following Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) airplanes, certificated in any category:

(1) Model 172R, serial numbers (S/N) 17280001 through 17281187, that have incorporated Cessna Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SB04-28-03, dated August 30, 2004, and Engine Fuel Return System, Modification Kit MK172-28-01, dated August 30, 2004; and

(2) Model 172S, S/N l72S8001 through 172S9490, that have incorporated Cessna Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SB04-28-03, dated August 30, 2004, and Engine Fuel Return System, Modification Kit MK172-28-01; dated August 30, 2004.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 2820, Aircraft Fuel Distribution System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports of chafed fuel return line assemblies caused by the fuel return line assembly rubbing against the right steering tube assembly during full rudder pedal actuation. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspect the Fuel Return Line Assembly

At whichever of the following that occurs later, inspect the fuel return line assembly (Cessna part number (P/N) 0500118-49) for chafing following Cessna Service Bulletin SB07-28-01, Revision 1, dated September 22, 2011.

(1) At the next annual inspection after December 28, 2012 (the effective date of this AD); or

(2) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after December 28, 2012 (the effective date of this AD); or

(3) Within the next 12 calendar months after December 28, 2012 (the effective date of this AD).

(h) Replace the Fuel Line Assembly

If you find evidence of chafing of the fuel return line assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49) as a result of the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, then before further flight, replace the fuel return line assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49) following Cessna Service Bulletin SB07-28-01, Revision 1, dated September 22, 2011.

(i) Inspect for a Minimum Clearance Between Certain Parts

After any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD and no chafing of the fuel return line assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49) is found or after replacement of the fuel return line assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49) required by paragraph (h) of this AD, before further flight, inspect for a minimum clearance between the following parts throughout the range of copilot pedal travel:

(1) A minimum clearance of 0.5 inch between the fuel return line assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49) and the right steering tube assembly (Cessna P/N MC0543022-2C); and

(2) Visible positive clearance between the fuel return line assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49) and the airplane structure.

(j) Adjust Clearance for Fuel Return Line Assembly

If the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and the right steering tube assembly and the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and the aircraft structure do not meet the minimums as specified in paragraphs (i)(l) and (i)(2) of this AD, before further flight, adjust the clearances to meet the required minimums following the Instructions paragraph of Cessna Service Bulletin SB07-28-01, Revision 1, dated September 22, 2011.

(k) Engine Fuel Return System Modification

Do not incorporate Cessna Aircraft Company Engine Fuel Return System Modification Kit MK 172-28-01 as referenced in Service Bulletin SB 04-28-03, both dated August 30, 2004, without performing the actions in this AD before further flight after installation.

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 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 ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section 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.

(m) Related Information

For more information about this AD, contact Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 S. Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

(n) 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.

(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on March 13, 2012 (77 FR 6003, February 7, 2012).

(i) Cessna Aircraft Company Cessna Service Bulletin SB07-28-01, Revision 1, dated September 22, 2011.

(ii) Reserved.

(4) For Cessna Aircraft Company service information identified in this AD, contact Cessna Aircraft Company, Customer service, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS 67277; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; Internet: http://www.cessnasupport.com.

(5) You may view this service information at FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call [phone].

(6) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 22, 2012.

James E. Jackson,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.