98-25542. Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Model T210R Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 50990-50992]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-25542]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 98-CE-19-AD; Amendment 39-10800; AD 98-20-33]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Model T210R 
    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 Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model T210R airplanes. This 
    AD requires revising the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to 
    specify procedures that would prohibit flight in severe icing 
    conditions (as determined by certain visual cues), limit or prohibit 
    the use of various flight control devices while in severe icing 
    conditions, and provide the flight crew with recognition cues for, and 
    procedures for exiting from, severe icing conditions. This AD was 
    prompted by the results of a review of the requirements for 
    certification of these airplanes in icing conditions, new information 
    on the icing environment, and icing data provided currently to the 
    flight crew. The actions specified by this AD are intended to minimize 
    the potential hazards associated with operating these airplanes in 
    severe icing conditions by providing more clearly defined procedures 
    and limitations associated with such conditions.
    
    DATES: Effective November 17, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
    Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
    Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-19-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
    Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John P. Dow, Sr., Aerospace 
    Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 
    1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106, telephone: (816) 
    426-6932, facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
    
    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 Cessna Model T210R 
    airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
    rulemaking (NPRM) on June 8, 1998 (63 FR 31135). The NPRM proposed to 
    require revising the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved AFM to 
    specify procedures that would:
         Require flight crews to immediately request priority 
    handling from Air Traffic Control to exit severe icing conditions (as 
    determined by certain visual cues);
         Prohibit use of the autopilot when ice is formed aft of 
    the protected surfaces of the wing, or when an unusual lateral trim 
    condition exists; and
         Require that all icing wing inspection lights be operative 
    prior to flight into known or forecast icing conditions at night.
         This proposed AD would also require revising the Normal 
    Procedures Section of the FAA-approved AFM to specify procedures that 
    would:
         Limit the use of the flaps and prohibit the use of the 
    autopilot when ice is observed forming aft of the protected surfaces of 
    the wing, or if unusual lateral trim requirements or autopilot trim 
    warnings are encountered; and
         Provide the flight crew with recognition cues for, and 
    procedures for exiting from, severe icing conditions.
        The NPRM was the result of a review of the requirements for 
    certification of these airplanes in icing conditions, new information 
    on the icing environment, and icing data provided currently to the 
    flight crew.
        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 50 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
    affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
    airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
    approximately $60 an hour. Since an owner/operator who holds at least a 
    private pilot's certificate as authorized by sections 43.7 and 43.11 of 
    the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7 and 43.11) can accomplish 
    this action, the only cost impact upon the public is the time it will 
    take the affected airplane owners/operators to incorporate the AFM 
    revisions.
        The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
    no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
    action, and that no operator will accomplish those actions in the 
    future if this AD were not adopted.
    
    [[Page 50991]]
    
        In addition, the FAA recognizes that this action may impose 
    operational costs. However, these costs are incalculable because the 
    frequency of occurrence of the specified conditions and the associated 
    additional flight time cannot be determined. Nevertheless, because of 
    the severity of the unsafe condition, the FAA has determined that 
    continued operational safety necessitates the imposition of the costs.
    
    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, 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:
    
    98-20-33  Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-10800; Docket No. 
    98-CE-19-AD.
    
        Applicability: Model T210R airplanes (all serial numbers), 
    certificated 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 (d) 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, unless already accomplished.
        To minimize the potential hazards associated with operating the 
    airplane in severe icing conditions by providing more clearly 
    defined procedures and limitations associated with such conditions, 
    accomplish the following:
        (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
    accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this 
    AD.
    
        Note 2: Operators should initiate action to notify and ensure 
    that flight crewmembers are apprised of this change.
    
        (1) Revise the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) by 
    incorporating the following into the Limitations Section of the AFM. 
    This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.
    
    ``Warning
    
        Severe icing may result from environmental conditions outside of 
    those for which the airplane is certificated. Flight in freezing 
    rain, freezing drizzle, or mixed icing conditions (supercooled 
    liquid water and ice crystals) may result in ice build-up on 
    protected surfaces exceeding the capability of the ice protection 
    system, or may result in ice forming aft of the protected surfaces. 
    This ice may not be shed using the ice protection systems, and may 
    seriously degrade the performance and controllability of the 
    airplane.
         During flight, severe icing conditions that exceed 
    those for which the airplane is certificated shall be determined by 
    the following visual cues. If one or more of these visual cues 
    exists, immediately request priority handling from Air Traffic 
    Control to facilitate a route or an altitude change to exit the 
    icing conditions.
    --Unusually extensive ice accumulation on the airframe and 
    windshield in areas not normally observed to collect ice.
    --Accumulation of ice on the lower surface of the wing aft of the 
    protected area.
         Since the autopilot, when installed and operating, may 
    mask tactile cues that indicate adverse changes in handling 
    characteristics, use of the autopilot is prohibited when any of the 
    visual cues specified above exist, or when unusual lateral trim 
    requirements or autopilot trim warnings are encountered while the 
    airplane is in icing conditions.
         All wing icing inspection lights must be operative 
    prior to flight into known or forecast icing conditions at night. 
    [NOTE: This supersedes any relief provided by the Master Minimum 
    Equipment List (MMEL).]''
        (2) Revise the FAA-approved AFM by incorporating the following 
    into the Normal Procedures Section of the AFM. This may be 
    accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.
    
    ``The Following Weather Conditions May Be Conducive to Severe In-Flight 
    Icing:
    
         Visible rain at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius 
    ambient air temperature.
         Droplets that splash or splatter on impact at 
    temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius ambient air temperature.
    
    Procedures for Exiting the Severe Icing Environment:
    
        These procedures are applicable to all flight phases from 
    takeoff to landing. Monitor the ambient air temperature. While 
    severe icing may form at temperatures as cold as -18 degrees 
    Celsius, increased vigilance is warranted at temperatures around 
    freezing with visible moisture present. If the visual cues specified 
    in the Limitations Section of the AFM for identifying severe icing 
    conditions are observed, accomplish the following:
         Immediately request priority handling from Air Traffic 
    Control to facilitate a route or an altitude change to exit the 
    severe icing conditions in order to avoid extended exposure to 
    flight conditions more severe than those for which the airplane has 
    been certificated.
         Avoid abrupt and excessive maneuvering that may 
    exacerbate control difficulties.
         Do not engage the autopilot.
         If the autopilot is engaged, hold the control wheel 
    firmly and disengage the autopilot.
         If an unusual roll response or uncommanded roll control 
    movement is observed, reduce the angle-of-attack. 4
         Do not extend flaps when holding in icing conditions. 
    Operation with flaps extended can result in a reduced wing angle-of-
    attack, with the possibility of ice forming on the upper surface 
    further aft on the wing than normal, possibly aft of the protected 
    area.
         If the flaps are extended, do not retract them until 
    the airframe is clear of ice.
         Report these weather conditions to Air Traffic 
    Control.''
        (b) Incorporating the AFM revisions, as required by 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 
    43.11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.11).
        (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
    sections 21.197 and 21.199
    
    [[Page 50992]]
    
    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.
        (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
    compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
    approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1201 
    Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be 
    forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
    add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane 
    Directorate.
    
        Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
    
        (e) All persons affected by this directive may examine 
    information related to this AD at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
    the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
    Missouri 64106.
        (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 17, 1998.
    
        Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 18, 1998.
    Michael Gallagher,
    Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
    [FR Doc. 98-25542 Filed 9-23-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
11/17/1998
Published:
09/24/1998
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-25542
Dates:
Effective November 17, 1998.
Pages:
50990-50992 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 98-CE-19-AD, Amendment 39-10800, AD 98-20-33
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
98-25542.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13