[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]
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