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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 5, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72250-72252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-29402]

[[Page 72250]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1273; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-045-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172R and 172S airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports of chafing of a new configuration 
of the fuel return line assembly, which was caused by the fuel return 
line assembly rubbing against the right steering tube assembly during 
rudder pedal actuation. This proposed AD would require you to install 
the forward and aft fuel return line support clamps and brackets; 
inspect for a minimum clearance between the fuel return line assembly 
and the steering tube assembly and clearance between the fuel return 
line assembly and the airplane structure; and, if any damage is found, 
replace the fuel return line assembly. We are proposing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 22, 
2013.

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, Customer service, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS 
67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 517-7271; email: 
customercare@cessna.textron.com; Internet: http://www.cessnasupport.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, MO 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, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 S. Airport Road, Room 
100, Wichita, Kansas 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 proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-1273; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-045-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

    In January 2012, we issued AD 2012-02-02 (77 FR 6003, February 7, 
2012), and in October 2012, we issued AD 2012-22-01 (77 FR 70114, 
November 23, 2012) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 
172R and 172S airplanes. These ADs required inspection of the fuel 
return line assembly for chafing; replacement of the fuel return line 
assembly if chafing is found; inspection of the clearance between the 
fuel return line assembly and both the right steering tube assembly and 
the airplane structure; and adjustment as necessary. The ADs resulted 
from reports of chafed fuel return line assemblies, which were caused 
by the fuel return line assembly rubbing against the right steering 
tube assembly during full rudder pedal actuation. We issued these ADs 
to detect and correct chafing of the fuel return line assembly, which 
could result in fuel leaking under the floor and fuel vapors entering 
the cabin. This condition could lead to fire under the floor or in the 
cabin area.
    We were recently notified that the unsafe condition also applies to 
airplanes with different serial number effectivity.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Cessna Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SEB-28-01, 
dated September 21, 2012. The service information describes procedures 
for fuel return line inspection and modification.

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 the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 80 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 72251]]

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
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Installation of brackets and clamps   2 work-hours x $85 per              $78             $248          $19,840
 and inspection of the fuel return     hour = $170.
 line assembly for chafing and
 clearance.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacement 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need 
this replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of the fuel return line assembly   2 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $53             $223
 and adjustment of the clearance between the    $170.
 fuel return line assembly and the steering
 tube assembly and the airplane structure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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 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 this 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-1273; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-CE-045-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 22, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Cessna Aircraft Company 
(Cessna) airplanes, certificated in any category:
    (1) Model 172R, serial numbers (S/N) 17281573 through 17281616; 
and
    (2) Model 172S, S/N 172S11074 through 172S11193.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2820, Aircraft Fuel Distribution System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of chafing of a new 
configuration of the fuel return line assembly, which was caused by 
the fuel return line assembly rubbing against the right steering 
tube assembly during rudder pedal actuation. We are issuing this AD 
to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspect the Fuel Return Line Assembly

    At whichever of the following compliance times that occurs 
later, inspect the fuel return line assembly (Cessna part number (P/
N) 0516031-1) for damage following Cessna Aircraft Company Service 
Bulletin SEB-28-01, dated September 21, 2012.
    (1) At the next annual inspection after the effective date of 
this AD;
    (2) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD; or
    (3) Within the next 12 calendar months after the effective date 
of this AD.

(h) Replace the Fuel Return Line Assembly

    If you find evidence of damage of the fuel return line assembly 
(Cessna P/N 0516031-1) as a result of the inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, replace the fuel 
return line assembly (Cessna P/N 0516031-1) following Cessna 
Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SEB-28-01, dated September 21, 
2012.

[[Page 72252]]

(i) Install the Fuel Return Line Assembly

    If you find no evidence of damage of the fuel return line 
assembly (Cessna P/N 0516031-1) as a result of the inspection 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, 
reinstall the fuel return line assembly (Cessna P/N 0516031-1) 
following Cessna Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SEB-28-01, dated 
September 21, 2012.

(j) Install Forward and Aft Fuel Return Line Support Clamps and 
Brackets

    After installing the fuel return line assembly as required by 
replacement in paragraph (h) of this AD or installation in paragraph 
(i) of this AD, before further flight, install the forward and aft 
fuel return line support clamps and brackets following Cessna 
Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SEB-28-01, dated September 21, 
2012.

(k) Inspect for a Minimum Clearance Between Certain Parts

    After the installation required by paragraph (j) of this AD, 
before further flight, inspect for a minimum clearance between the 
following parts throughout the range of copilot pedal travel. The 
requirements of this AD take precedence over the actions required in 
Cessna Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SEB-28-01, dated September 
21, 2012:
    (1) A minimum clearance of 0.5 inch between the fuel return line 
assembly (Cessna P/N 0516031-1) and the steering tube assembly 
(Cessna P/N MC0543022-2C); and
    (2) Visible positive clearance between the fuel return line 
assembly (Cessna P/N 0516031-1) and the airplane structure.

(l) Adjust Clearance for Fuel Return Line Assembly

    If you find any clearance less than the minimum clearance 
required by paragraph (k) of this AD, adjust to the minimum 
clearance required by paragraph (k) of this AD.

(m) 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.

(n) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Jeff Janusz, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 S. Airport Road, Room 
100, Wichita, Kansas 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, Customer service, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, 
KS 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 517-7271; 
customercare@cessna.textron.com; Internet: http://www.cessnasupport.com. You may review copies of the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 29, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-29402 Filed 12-4-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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