[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 79 (Monday, April 26, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20221-20224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10348]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-125-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Model 182S
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The document proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive
(AD) 98-13-10, which currently requires repetitively inspecting all
engine exhaust muffler end plates (four total) for cracks on all Cessna
Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 182S airplanes, and replacing any
muffler where an end plate is found cracked. AD 98-13-10 also requires
fabricating and installing a placard that specifies immediately
inspecting all engine exhaust muffler end plates any time the engine
backfires upon start-up. The
[[Page 20222]]
proposed AD is the result of Cessna developing an improved design
exhaust system for the Model 182S airplanes. The proposed AD would
retain the actions of AD 98-13-10 on all affected airplanes, and would
require replacing the exhaust system with an improved design exhaust
system within a certain period of time, as terminating action for those
requirements retained from AD 98-13-10. The proposed AD would also
limit the effectivity to not include those airplanes manufactured with
the improved design exhaust system. The actions specified by the
proposed AD are intended to detect and correct damage to the engine
exhaust mufflers caused by cracking and the high stresses imposed on
the attachment of the exhaust at the area of the firewall, which could
result in exhaust gases entering the airplane cabin with consequent
crew and passenger injury.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 25, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-125-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays
excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from the Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706,
Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; facsimile: (316) 942-
9006. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the
address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Pendleton, Aerospace
Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport
Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316)
946-4143; facsimile: (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 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,
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 that summarizes 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 No. 98-CE-125-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this MPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 98-CE-125-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
AD 98-13-10, Amendment 39-10598 (63 FR 32973, June 17, 1998),
currently requires the following on all Cessna Model 1825 airplanes:
--Repetitively inspecting all engine exhaust muffler end plates (four
total) for cracks;
--Replacing any muffler where an end plate is found cracked; and
--Fabricating and installing a placard that specifies immediately
inspecting all engine exhaust muffler end plates any time the engine
backfires upon start-up.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule and Relevant Service
Information
Cessna has developed a new exhaust system muffler that, when
incorporated, would eliminate the need for the repetitive inspection
required by AD 98-13-10.
Cessna Service Bulletin SB98-78-03, dated December 14, 1998,
includes procedures for installing this improved design exhaust system
muffler.
The FAA's Determination
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available
information related to the incidents described above, including the
referenced service information, the FAA has determined that AD action
should be taken to detect and correct damage to the engine exhaust
mufflers caused by cracking and the high stresses imposed on the
attachment of the exhaust at the area of the firewall, which could
result in exhaust gases entering the airplane cabin with consequent
crew and passenger injury.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Cessna Model 182S airplanes of the same type
design, the proposed AD would supersede AD 98-13-10. The proposed AD
would retain the actions of AD 98-13-10 on all affected airplanes, and
would require replacing the exhaust system with an improved design
exhaust system within a certain period of time, as terminating action
for the actions retained from AD 98-13-10. The proposed AD would also
limit the effectivity to not include those airplanes manufactured with
the improved design exhaust system. Accomplishment of the proposed
replacement would be required in accordance with Cessna Service
Bulletin SB98-78-03, dated December 14, 1998.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 150 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1
workhour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that
the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $9,000, or $60 per airplane. These figures
only take into account the cost of the proposed initial inspection and
do not take into account the costs of any repetitive inspections or
replacements needed if cracks were found.
The inspection cost of the proposed AD is the same as that
presented in AD 98-13-10. Therefore, the proposed AD imposes no
inspection cost impact on U.S. operators of the affected airplanes over
that already required in AD 98-13-10.
The FAA estimates that it would take approximately 4 workhours per
airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and that the average
labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $463
per muffler assembly (2 required) per airplane. Based on these figures,
the total cost impact of the proposed replacement on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $174,900, or $1,166 per airplane.
Parts credit and labor allowance credit for the actions proposed in
this NPRM may be obtained by submitting the appropriate paperwork to
Cessna before June 14, 1999. Any removed
[[Page 20223]]
mufflers should be returned with the paperwork.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would 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) if promulgated,
will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, or 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 has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of
it may be obtained by contracting 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 14
CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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 Airworthiness Directive
(AD) 98-13-10, Amendment 39-10598, and by adding a new AD to read as
follows:
Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. 98-CE-125-AD; Supersedes AD
98-13-10, Amendment 39-10598.
Applicability: Model 182S airplanes, serial numbers 18280001
through 18280286, certified in any category.
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 (g) 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.
To detect and correct damage to the engine exhaust mufflers
caused by cracking and the high stresses imposed on the attachment
of the exhaust at the area of the firewall, which could result in
exhaust gases entering the airplane cabin with consequent crew and
passenger injury, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 5 days after the effective date of this AD, unless
already accomplished (compliance with AD 98-13-10), accomplish the
following:
(1) Fabricate a placard that specifies immediately inspecting
all engine exhaust muffler end plates when the engine backfires upon
start-up, and install this placard on the instrument panel within
the pilot's clear view. The placard should utilize letters of at
least 0.10-inch in height and contain the following words:
``If the engine backfires upon start-up, prior to further
flight, inspect and replace (as necessary) all engine exhaust
muffler end plates.''
(2) Insert a copy of this AD into the Limitations Section of the
airplane flight manual (AFM).
(b) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective
date of this AD, unless already accomplished (compliance with AD 98-
13-10), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS after
each inspection (including any inspection accomplished after an
engine backfire) until the replacement required by paragraphs (b)(1)
and (d) of this AD are accomplished, inspect all engine exhaust
muffler end plates (four total) for cracks on the forward (upstream)
or aft (downstream) end of each muffler can.
(1) Prior to further flight, replace any engine exhaust muffler
where an end plate is found cracked with one of improved design,
part number (P/N) 1254017-19 or P/N 9954200-9 (or FAA-approved
equivalent part number). Accomplish these replacements in accordance
with Cessna Service Bulletin SB98-78-03, dated December 14, 1998.
(2) This replacement terminates the repetitive inspection
required by this AD for that particular engine exhaust muffler. The
repetitive inspections would still be required for any other engine
exhaust muffler not replaced with the improved design parts.
(3) The placard requirements of this AD are still required until
all engine exhaust system mufflers are replaced with the improved
design parts.
Note 2: Cessna Service Bulletin SB98-78-02, Issued: June 6,
1998, depicts the area to be inspected. The actions of this service
bulletin are different from those required by this AD. This AD takes
precedence over the actions specified in this service bulletin.
Accomplishment of Cessna Service Bulletin SB98-78-02, Issued: June
6, 1998, is not considered an alternative method of compliance to
the actions of this AD.
(c) Fabricating and installing the placard and inserting this AD
into the Limitations Section of the AFM, 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).
(d) Within 12 calendar months after the effective date of this
AD, replace the engine exhaust mufflers with ones of improved
design, part number (P/N) 1254017-19 or P/N 9954200-9 (or FAA-
approved equivalent part number). Accomplish these replacements in
accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SB98-78-03, dated December
14, 1998.
(1) These replacements terminate the repetitive inspection and
placard requirements of this AD, as specified in paragraphs (a) and
(b), including all subparagraphs, of this AD.
(2) The replacements may be accomplished prior to 12 calendar
months after the effective date of this AD, as terminating action
for the repetitive inspection and placard requirements of this AD.
(e) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,
on any affected airplane, an engine exhaust muffler that is not of
improved design, P/N 1254017-19 or P/N 9954200-9 (or FAA-approved
equivalent part number).
(f) 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.
(g) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
initial or repetitive 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.
(1) The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Wichita ACO.
(2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance
with AD 98-13-10 are not considered approved as alternative methods
of compliance for this AD.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Wichita ACO.
(h) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of
the documents referred to herein upon request to the Cessna Aircraft
Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; or
may examine these documents at the FAA, Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106.
(i) This amendment supersedes AD 98-13-10, Amendment 39-10598.
[[Page 20224]]
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 20, 1999.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-10348 Filed 4-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
