98-17414. Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Model 172R Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 1, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 35796-35797]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-17414]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 97-CE-96-AD; Amendment 39-10641; AD 98-14-07]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Model 172R 
    Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
    applies to certain Cessna Aircraft Company Model 172R airplanes. This 
    AD requires modifying the lower forward doorpost bulkhead by installing 
    rivets. This AD is the result of a report from the manufacturer that 
    these rivets were erroneously omitted during manufacture of some of the 
    new production airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
    to prevent reduced structural rigidity at the forward doorpost 
    bulkhead, which could result in structural cracking and possible loss 
    of control of the airplane.
    
    DATES: Effective August 16, 1998.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of August 16, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
    from The Cessna Aircraft Company, P. O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 
    67277, telephone: (316) 941-7550, facsimile: (316) 942-9008. This 
    information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
    (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules 
    Docket No. 97-CE-96-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
    Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
    Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Eual Conditt, Senior Aerospace
    
    [[Page 35797]]
    
    Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport 
    Road, RM 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas, 67209, telephone: 
    (316) 946-4128; facsimile: (316) 946-4407.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
    
        A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
    CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Cessna Model 
    172R airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
    proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 13, 1998 (63 FR 7322). The NPRM 
    proposed to require modifying the lower forward doorpost bulkhead on 
    both sides of the affected model airplanes by installing rivets. 
    Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
    in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin No. SB97-53-02, dated 
    September 15, 1997.
        The NPRM was the result of a report from the manufacturer that 
    these rivets were erroneously omitted during manufacture of some of the 
    new production airplanes.
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
    proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
    
    The FAA's Determination
    
        After careful review of all available information related to the 
    subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
    public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
    minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
    corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
    additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        The FAA estimates that 87 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
    affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 14 workhours per 
    airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
    approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $150 per airplane. 
    Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
    operators is estimated to be $86,130, or $990 per airplane. The FAA 
    assumes that none of the owners/operators of the affected airplanes 
    have accomplished this action.
    
    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.
        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) 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 final 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, 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:
    
    98-14-07 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-10641; Docket No. 97-
    CE-96-AD.
    
        Applicability: Model 172R airplanes with the following serial 
    numbers, certificated in any category: 17280004 through 17280016, 
    17280018 through 17280050, 17280052 through 17280058, 17280060 
    through 17280062, 17280064, 17280066 through 17280082, 17280085 
    through 17280099, 17280101 through 17280113, 17280115, 17280116, 
    17280118 through 17280125, 17280128 through 17280131, and 17280138.
    
        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 (c) 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 100 hours time-in-service 
    (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
    accomplished.
        To prevent reduced structural rigidity at the lower forward 
    doorpost bulkhead, which could result in structural cracking and 
    possible loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
        (a) Modify the lower forward doorpost of the affected airplanes 
    by installing the specified rivets in accordance with Cessna Service 
    Bulletin No. SB97-53-02, dated September 15, 1997.
        (b) 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.
        (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
    compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
    approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office 
    (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Rm. 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.
    
        (d) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
    accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin No. SB97-53-02, dated 
    September 15, 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, 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.
        (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 16, 1998.
    
        Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 24, 1998.
    Marvin R. Nuss,
    Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
    Aircraft Certification Service.
    [FR Doc. 98-17414 Filed 6-30-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
8/16/1998
Published:
07/01/1998
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-17414
Dates:
Effective August 16, 1998.
Pages:
35796-35797 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 97-CE-96-AD, Amendment 39-10641, AD 98-14-07
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
98-17414.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13