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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 2, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60062-60064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24207]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1052; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-014-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 
172R, 172S, 182S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H airplanes. The existing 
AD currently requires an inspection of the engine oil pressure switch 
and, if applicable, replacement of the engine oil pressure switch. 
Since we issued that AD, we have received new reports of internal 
failure of the engine oil pressure switch, which could result in 
complete loss of engine oil with consequent partial or complete loss of 
engine power or fire. This proposed AD would increase the applicability 
of the AD and place a life-limit of 3,000 hours time-in-service on the 
engine oil pressure switch, requiring replacement when the engine oil 
pressure switch reaches its life limit. We are proposing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 16, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, 
Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax (316) 942-9006; Internet: 
www.cessna.com/customer-service/technical-publications.html. You may 
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 
329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Janusz, Sr. Propulsion Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita, 
KS 67209; phone: (316) 946-4148; fax: (316) 946-4107; email: 
jeff.janusz@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-1052; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-014-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On February 11, 2000, we issued AD 2000-04-01, amendment 39-11583 
(65 FR 8649, February 22, 2000), for certain Cessna Aircraft Company 
Models 172R, 172S, 182S, 206H, and T206H airplanes. That AD requires 
inspection of the engine oil pressure switch to determine if the engine 
oil pressure switch is part-number (P/N) 77041 or P/N 83278 and 
replacement of any P/N 77041 engine oil pressure switch with a P/N 
83278 engine oil pressure switch. That AD resulted from reports of 
failure of the engine oil pressure switch diaphragm. We issued that AD 
to prevent loss of engine oil through the failure of the engine oil 
pressure switch diaphragm, which could result in partial or complete 
loss of engine power.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2000-04-01, amendment 39-11583 (65 FR 8649, 
February 22, 2000), we have received new reports of internal failure of 
the engine oil pressure switch, which could result in complete loss of 
engine oil with consequent partial or complete loss of engine power or 
fire.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Cessna Service Bulletin 07-79-01, dated January 29, 
2007. The service information describes procedures for replacement of 
the engine oil pressure switch.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain none of the requirements of AD 2000-
04-01, amendment 39-11583 (65 FR 8649, February 22, 2000). This 
proposed AD would increase the applicability statement of the existing 
AD and require an inspection of the engine oil pressure switch with 
replacement of the engine oil pressure switch when it reaches its life 
limit of 3,000 hours time-in-service. We are proposing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Applicability in this proposed AD has been expanded to include 
additional airplane serial numbers.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 6,155 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.

[[Page 60063]]

    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost              Parts cost          product        operators
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Inspection of the airplane or      .5 work-hour x $85 per    Not applicable.....          $42.50     $261,587.50
 engine records.                    hour = $42.50.
Inspection of the engine oil       .5 work-hour x $85 per    Not applicable.....           42.50      261,587.50
 pressure switch installation.      hour = $42.50.
Removal and replacement of the     .5 work-hour x $85 per    $54................           96.50      593,957.50
 engine oil pressure switch and     hour = $42.50.
 logbook entry.
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing airworthiness directive 
(AD) 2000-04-01, Amendment 39-11583 (65 FR 8649, February 22, 2000), 
and adding the following new AD:

Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-1052; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-CE-014-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 16, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2000-04-01, Amendment 39-11583 (65 FR 
8649, February 22, 2000).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172R, serial 
numbers (S/N) 17280001 through 17281622; 172S, S/N 172S8001 through 
172S11244; 182S, S/N 18280001 through 18280944; 182T, S/N 18280945 
through 18282356; T182T, S/N T18208001 through T18209096; 206H, S/N 
20608001 through 20608350; and T206H, S/N T20608001 through 
T20609079; certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 7931, Engine Oil Pressure.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by new reports of internal failure of the 
engine oil pressure switch, which could result in complete loss of 
engine oil with consequent partial or complete loss of engine power 
or fire. We are issuing this AD to place a life-limit on the engine 
oil pressure switch after which replacement would be required.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
following Cessna Service Bulletin SB 07-79-01, dated January 29, 
2007, unless already done.

(g) Actions

    (1) At the next scheduled oil change, annual inspection, or 100-
hour inspection after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, but in no case later than 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the engine oil pressure switch to 
determine if it is part-number (P/N) 77041 or P/N 83278.
    (2) If after the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this 
AD, P/N 77041 engine oil pressure switch is installed, before 
further flight, replace the engine oil pressure switch with a new, 
zero time, P/N 83278 engine oil pressure switch. Record the engine 
oil pressure switch part number, date, and airplane hours TIS in the 
airplane log book. The recorded engine oil pressure switch TIS will 
be used as the benchmark for calculation of the 3,000 hour TIS limit 
on the engine oil pressure switch.
    (3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install a P/N 
77041 engine oil pressure switch on any affected airplane.
    (4) If after the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this 
AD it is confirmed that P/N 83278 engine oil pressure switch is 
installed, through inspection of the airplane or engine logbooks 
determine the TIS of the engine oil pressure switch.
    (5) If after the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this 
AD you cannot positively identify the hours TIS on the P/N 83278 
engine oil pressure switch, before further flight, replace the 
engine oil pressure switch with a new, zero time, P/N 83278 engine 
oil pressure switch. Record the engine oil pressure switch part 
number, date, and airplane hours in the airplane log book. The 
recorded engine oil pressure switch TIS will be used as the 
benchmark for calculation of the 3,000 hour TIS limit on the engine 
oil pressure switch.
    (6) When the engine oil pressure switch is at or greater than 
3,000 hours TIS or within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs later, and repetitively

[[Page 60064]]

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,000 hours TIS on the P/N 
83278 engine oil pressure switch, replace it with a new, zero time, 
P/N 83278 engine oil pressure switch. Record the engine oil pressure 
switch part number, date, and airplane hours in the airplane log 
book. The recorded engine oil pressure switch TIS will be used as 
the benchmark for calculation of the 3,000 hour TIS limit on the 
engine oil pressure switch.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Jeff Janusz, Sr. 
Propulsion Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita, 
KS 67209 phone: (316) 946-4148; fax: (316) 946-4107; email: 
jeff.janusz@faa.gov.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, 
Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax (316) 942-9006; 
Internet: www.cessna.com/customer-service/technical-publications.html. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 26, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-24207 Filed 10-1-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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