[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 123 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34833-34836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16591]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-138-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company 180 and 185
Series Airplanes.
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive
(AD) 80-10-01, which is applied to certain Cessna Aircraft Company 180
and 185 series airplanes that are equipped with Airglas Engineering
Company, Inc., (AECI) Model LW3600-180 single position or Model LW3600-
180A two position fixed penetration wheel ski installations. AD 80-10-
01 currently requires: modifying the ski bungee assemblies, safety
cables, and check cables; limiting the maximum airspeed to 160 knots
with skis installed; and installing an airspeed limitation placard. The
proposed AD would retain the actions required in AD 80-10-01, and would
require marking the maximum airspeed limits on the airspeed indicator;
placing a supplemental airplane flight manual (AFM) and AFM supplement
in the cockpit; and adding the Cessna Model 180K airplane to the
applicability. Reports that certain airspeeds cause the skis to rotate
into a nose-down position during flight prompted the AD action. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent one or
both wheel skis from rotating into a nose-down position during flight,
which could result in loss of control of the airplane and/or possible
airplane damage during flight or landing operations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 24, 1998.
[[Page 34834]]
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-138-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 Airglas Engineering Company, Inc., P.O. Box 190107, Anchorage,
Alaska 99519-0107; telephone: (907) 344-1450; facsimile: (907) 349-
4938. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the
address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gordon K. Mandell, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Anchorage Aircraft Certification Office, 222 West 7th
Avenue, #14, Annex G, Room A18, Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7587;
telephone: (907) 271-2670; facsimile: (907) 271-6365.
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. 97-CE-138-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, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-138-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
AD 80-10-01, Amendment 39-3762, applies to Cessna 180 and 185
series airplanes that are equipped with AECI Model LW3600-180 or Model
LW3600-180A wheel ski installations in accordance with supplemental
type certificate (STC) SA213AL. This AD currently requires modifying
the ski bungee assemblies and their attachments to the airplane and the
skis, safety cables, and check cables and their attachments to the
airplane and the skis; and installing a placard adjacent to the
airspeed indicator that limits the knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) to
never exceed 160 knots with the skis installed.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
Since the issuance of AD 80-10-01, additional field reports of
incidents occurring on the affected airplanes with these wheel skis
installed has prompted the FAA to review the actions required in AD 80-
10-01. The manufacturer and the FAA have decided that additional
measures are needed to ensure that the airspeed limitations are
followed.
Relevant Service Information
Airglas Engineering Company, Inc., has issued Service Bulletin No.
LW3600-3, originally issued: September 21, 1979; Amended: October 10,
1997, which specifies modifying the ski bungee assemblies, safety
cables, and check cables and their attachments to the airplane and the
skis in accordance with the procedures specified in AECI Drawing No.
LW3600-180A-1 and -2, Revision ``B'', dated September 21, 1979; AECI
Drawing No. LW3600-180A-3, Revision ``A'', dated April 30, 1979; and
AECI Drawing No. LW3600-180, Revision ``F'', dated September 21, 1979
(for single position wheel ski installations) or AECI Drawing No.
LW3600-180A, Revision ``E'', dated September 21, 1979 (for two position
wheel ski installations).
AECI Service Bulletin No. LW3600-3, originally issued: September
21, 1979; Amended: October 10, 1997, also specifies:
Reducing the maximum structural cruising speed to 139
knots indicated air speed (KIAS) with the skis installed;
Reducing the never exceed speed to 160 KIAS with the skis
installed;
Installing a placard near the airspeed indicator with
words prohibiting flight over 160 KIAS when the wheel skis are
installed in accordance with AECI Drawing No. LW3600-180A-11,
originally issued: September 21, 1979;
Marking the airspeed indicator so that these maximum KIAS
limitations are clear to the pilot; and
Placing AECI Document AE97-13FM, ``Supplemental Airplane
Flight Manual and Airplane Flight Manual Supplement'', dated October
10, 1997, in the airplane cockpit.
The FAA's Determination
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available
information related to the incidents described above, the FAA has
determined that AD action should be taken to prevent one or both wheel
skis from rotating into a nose-down position during flight, which could
result in loss of control of the airplane and/or possible airplane
damage during flight or landing operations.
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 180 and 185 series airplanes of the
same type design, that are equipped with AECI Model LW3600-180 or Model
LW3600-180A wheel ski installations in accordance with STC SA213AL, the
proposed AD would supersede AD 80-10-01 with a new AD. The proposed AD
would require the following:
--Modifying the ski bungee assemblies and their attachments to the
airplane and the skis, the safety cables, and the check cables and
their attachments to the airplane and the skis;
--Installing a placard adjacent to the airspeed indicator limiting the
never exceed speed to 160 knots and the maximum structural cruising
speed to 139 knots with the skis installed;
--Marking the airspeed indicator to reflect the never exceed speed (160
KIAS) and the maximum structural cruising speed (139 KIAS) with the
skis installed; and,
--Placing AECI Document No. AE97-13FM, ``Supplemental Airplane Flight
Manual and Airplane Flight Manual Supplement'', dated October 10, 1997,
in the airplane cockpit.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 170 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $350 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of
[[Page 34835]]
the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $100,300, or $590
per airplane.
Airglas Engineering Company, Inc. has informed the FAA that
approximately 12 of the affected airplanes have incorporated the
proposed actions. Owners/operators of the affected airplanes that have
already completed the proposed actions would reduce the estimated total
cost impact by $7,080 from $100,300 to $93,220.
AD 80-10-01 currently requires most of the same actions on the
affected airplanes as are proposed in this NPRM. The only differences
between the proposed AD and AD 80-10-01 are the addition of the Cessna
Model 180K airplane to the applicability and the requirements for
marking the airspeed indicator and for placing a supplemental AFM and
AFM supplement in the cockpit. These proposed actions can be
accomplished for an airplane used under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 91) by an owner/operator who holds at least a
private pilot's certificate, and for an airplane used under Part 135 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 135) by an operator who holds
an operating certificate issued under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 135), as authorized by sections 43.3, 43.7, and
43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.3, 43.7, and 43.9),
if the airspeed indicator is re-marked by painting the outside of the
glass. The only cost impact upon the public for airplanes other than
affected Cessna Model 180K airplanes, is the time it will take the
affected airplane owners/operators to incorporate these actions.
Therefore, the proposed AD has additional cost impact over that already
required by AD 80-10-01 only for affected Cessna Model 180K airplanes.
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, 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 has been placed 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 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) 80-10-01, Amendment 39-3762, and by adding a new AD to read as
follows:
Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. 97-CE-138-AD; Supersedes AD 80-
10-01, Amendment 39-3762.
Applicability: The following airplane models, all serial
numbers, certificated in any category, that are equipped with
Airglas Engineering Company, Inc., Model LW3600-180 (single position
wheel ski installation) or Model LW3600-180A (two position fixed
penetration wheel ski installation) in accordance with supplemental
type certificate (STC) SA213AL:
Models; 180, 180A, 180B, 180C, 180D, 180E, 180F, 180G, 180H, 180J,
180K, 185, 185A, 185B, 185C, 185D, 185E, A185E, A185F.
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 within the next 50 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent one or both wheel skis from rotating into a nose-down
position during flight, which could result loss of control of the
airplane and/or possible airplane damage during flight or landing
operations, accomplish the following:
(a) Modify the wheel ski bungee assemblies, safety cables, and
check cables and their attachments to the airplane and the skis, in
accordance with Airglas Engineering Company, Inc. (AECI) Drawing No.
LW3600-180A-1 and -2, Revision ``B'', dated September 21, 1979; AECI
Drawing No. LW3600-180A-3, Revision ``A'', dated April 30, 1979; and
AECI Drawing No. LW3600-180, Revision ``F'', dated September 21,
1979 (for single position wheel ski installations) or AECI Drawing
No. LW3600-180A, Revision ``E'', dated September 21, 1979 (for two
position wheel ski installations).
Note 2: Airglas Engineering Company, Inc. Service Bulletin (SB)
No. LW3600-3, originally issued: September 21, 1979; Amended:
October 10, 1997, specifies following the procedures provided in the
drawings referenced in paragraph (a) of this AD.
(b) Fabricate and install a placard adjacent to the airspeed
indicator with words at least \1/8\-inch in height in accordance
with AECI Drawing No. LW3600-180A-11, originally issued: September
21, 1979, and referenced in AECI SB No. LW3600-3, originally issued:
September 21, 1979; Amended: October 10, 1997.
(c) Mark the airspeed indicator to reflect the never exceed
airspeed (160 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS)) and the maximum
structural cruising speed (139 KIAS) in accordance with Airglas
Engineering Company, Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. LW3600-3,
originally issued: September 21, 1979; Amended: October 10, 1997.
(d) Place AECI Document AE97-13FM, ``Supplemental Airplane
Flight Manual and Airplane Flight Manual Supplement'', dated October
10, 1997, in the airplane cockpit in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions section in AECI SB No. LW3600-3,
originally issued: September 21, 1979; Amended: October 10, 1997.
(e) The actions required in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this
AD can be accomplished for an airplane used under Part 91 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 91) by an owner/operator
who holds at least a private pilot's certificate, and for an
airplane used under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 135) by an operator who holds an operating certificate
issued under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
part 135), as authorized by sections 43.3, 43.7, and 43.9 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.3, 43.7, and 43.9), if the
airspeed indicator is re-marked by painting the outside of the
glass.
(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
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Anchorage Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 222 West 7th Avenue, #14, Annex G Room A18,
[[Page 34836]]
Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7587. The request shall be forwarded through
an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and
then send it to the Manager, Anchorage ACO. Alternative methods of
compliance approved for AD 80-10-01 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 Anchorage ACO.
(h) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of
the documents referred to herein upon request to Airglas Engineering
Company, Inc., P.O. Box 190107, Anchorage, Alaska 99519-0107 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 80-10-01, Amendment 39-3762.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 15, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-16591 Filed 6-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
