02-18199. Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Model 650 Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Cessna Model 650 airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection of the side brace mechanism assemblies of the left and right main landing gears (MLG) to detect any incorrect part number, and corrective actions if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the locking mechanism of the side brace mechanism assembly, which could lead to collapse of the respective MLG, and result in a gear-up landing and possible injury to passengers and crew. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective August 26, 2002.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 26, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Cessna Aircraft Co., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert P. Busto, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Propulsion Branch, ACE-116W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Cessna Model 650 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2002 (67 FR 14893). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection of the side brace mechanism assemblies of the left and right main landing gears (MLG) to detect any incorrect part number, and corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the single comment received.

Support for the Proposal

The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 353 Model 650 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 282 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 10 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $169,200, or $600 per airplane.

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 would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2002-14-24 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-12824. Docket 2000-NM-388-AD.

Applicability: Model 650 airplanes, serial numbers -0001 through -0241 inclusive, and serial numbers -7001 through -7112 inclusive; 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 (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 as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent inadvertent disengagement of the locking mechanism of the side brace mechanism assembly of the left or right main landing gear (MLG), which could lead to collapse of the respective MLG, and result in gear-up landing and possible injury to passengers and crew; accomplish the following:

One-Time Inspection

(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do a one-time inspection of the side brace mechanism assemblies of the left and right MLGs to detect any incorrect part number (P/N) found installed, as specified in Cessna Service Bulletin SB650-32-47, including Cessna Service Bulletin Supplemental Data SB650-32-47, both dated August 14, 2000.

(1) If the correct part number is found installed on the left side brace mechanism assembly, P/N 6217076-201, and on the right side brace mechanism assembly, P/N 6217076-202, no further action is required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

Corrective Action

(2) If incorrect P/N 6217076-2, 6217076-4, or 6217076-9 is found installed on either the left or right side brace mechanism assembly: Prior to further flight, replace any incorrect left side brace mechanism assembly with a new, improved assembly, P/N 6217076-201; and replace any incorrect right side brace mechanism assembly with a new, improved assembly, P/N 6217076-202; per Cessna Service Bulletin SB650-32-47, including Cessna Service Bulletin Supplemental Data SB650-32-47, both dated August 14, 2000. After the replacement action, no further action is required by this AD.

Spares

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install a left or right MLG side brace mechanism assembly, P/N 6217076-2, 6217076-4, or 6217076-9, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 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.

Special Flight Permits

(d) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SB650-32-47, including Cessna Service Bulletin Supplemental Data SB650-32-47, both dated August 14, 2000. 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 Cessna Aircraft Co., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 26, 2002.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 11, 2002.

Lorio Liu-Nelson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.