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[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 123 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34833-34836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16591]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-138-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company 180 and 185 
Series Airplanes.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 80-10-01, which is applied to certain Cessna Aircraft Company 180 
and 185 series airplanes that are equipped with Airglas Engineering 
Company, Inc., (AECI) Model LW3600-180 single position or Model LW3600-
180A two position fixed penetration wheel ski installations. AD 80-10-
01 currently requires: modifying the ski bungee assemblies, safety 
cables, and check cables; limiting the maximum airspeed to 160 knots 
with skis installed; and installing an airspeed limitation placard. The 
proposed AD would retain the actions required in AD 80-10-01, and would 
require marking the maximum airspeed limits on the airspeed indicator; 
placing a supplemental airplane flight manual (AFM) and AFM supplement 
in the cockpit; and adding the Cessna Model 180K airplane to the 
applicability. Reports that certain airspeeds cause the skis to rotate 
into a nose-down position during flight prompted the AD action. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent one or 
both wheel skis from rotating into a nose-down position during flight, 
which could result in loss of control of the airplane and/or possible 
airplane damage during flight or landing operations.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 24, 1998.

[[Page 34834]]

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-138-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays 
excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from Airglas Engineering Company, Inc., P.O. Box 190107, Anchorage, 
Alaska 99519-0107; telephone: (907) 344-1450; facsimile: (907) 349-
4938. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the 
address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gordon K. Mandell, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Anchorage Aircraft Certification Office, 222 West 7th 
Avenue, #14, Annex G, Room A18, Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7587; 
telephone: (907) 271-2670; facsimile: (907) 271-6365.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned 
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 97-CE-138-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-138-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    AD 80-10-01, Amendment 39-3762, applies to Cessna 180 and 185 
series airplanes that are equipped with AECI Model LW3600-180 or Model 
LW3600-180A wheel ski installations in accordance with supplemental 
type certificate (STC) SA213AL. This AD currently requires modifying 
the ski bungee assemblies and their attachments to the airplane and the 
skis, safety cables, and check cables and their attachments to the 
airplane and the skis; and installing a placard adjacent to the 
airspeed indicator that limits the knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) to 
never exceed 160 knots with the skis installed.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of AD 80-10-01, additional field reports of 
incidents occurring on the affected airplanes with these wheel skis 
installed has prompted the FAA to review the actions required in AD 80-
10-01. The manufacturer and the FAA have decided that additional 
measures are needed to ensure that the airspeed limitations are 
followed.

Relevant Service Information

    Airglas Engineering Company, Inc., has issued Service Bulletin No. 
LW3600-3, originally issued: September 21, 1979; Amended: October 10, 
1997, which specifies modifying the ski bungee assemblies, safety 
cables, and check cables and their attachments to the airplane and the 
skis in accordance with the procedures specified in AECI Drawing No. 
LW3600-180A-1 and -2, Revision ``B'', dated September 21, 1979; AECI 
Drawing No. LW3600-180A-3, Revision ``A'', dated April 30, 1979; and 
AECI Drawing No. LW3600-180, Revision ``F'', dated September 21, 1979 
(for single position wheel ski installations) or AECI Drawing No. 
LW3600-180A, Revision ``E'', dated September 21, 1979 (for two position 
wheel ski installations).
    AECI Service Bulletin No. LW3600-3, originally issued: September 
21, 1979; Amended: October 10, 1997, also specifies:
     Reducing the maximum structural cruising speed to 139 
knots indicated air speed (KIAS) with the skis installed;
     Reducing the never exceed speed to 160 KIAS with the skis 
installed;
     Installing a placard near the airspeed indicator with 
words prohibiting flight over 160 KIAS when the wheel skis are 
installed in accordance with AECI Drawing No. LW3600-180A-11, 
originally issued: September 21, 1979;
     Marking the airspeed indicator so that these maximum KIAS 
limitations are clear to the pilot; and
     Placing AECI Document AE97-13FM, ``Supplemental Airplane 
Flight Manual and Airplane Flight Manual Supplement'', dated October 
10, 1997, in the airplane cockpit.

The FAA's Determination

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, the FAA has 
determined that AD action should be taken to prevent one or both wheel 
skis from rotating into a nose-down position during flight, which could 
result in loss of control of the airplane and/or possible airplane 
damage during flight or landing operations.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Cessna 180 and 185 series airplanes of the 
same type design, that are equipped with AECI Model LW3600-180 or Model 
LW3600-180A wheel ski installations in accordance with STC SA213AL, the 
proposed AD would supersede AD 80-10-01 with a new AD. The proposed AD 
would require the following:

--Modifying the ski bungee assemblies and their attachments to the 
airplane and the skis, the safety cables, and the check cables and 
their attachments to the airplane and the skis;
--Installing a placard adjacent to the airspeed indicator limiting the 
never exceed speed to 160 knots and the maximum structural cruising 
speed to 139 knots with the skis installed;
--Marking the airspeed indicator to reflect the never exceed speed (160 
KIAS) and the maximum structural cruising speed (139 KIAS) with the 
skis installed; and,
--Placing AECI Document No. AE97-13FM, ``Supplemental Airplane Flight 
Manual and Airplane Flight Manual Supplement'', dated October 10, 1997, 
in the airplane cockpit.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 170 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $350 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of

[[Page 34835]]

the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $100,300, or $590 
per airplane.
    Airglas Engineering Company, Inc. has informed the FAA that 
approximately 12 of the affected airplanes have incorporated the 
proposed actions. Owners/operators of the affected airplanes that have 
already completed the proposed actions would reduce the estimated total 
cost impact by $7,080 from $100,300 to $93,220.
    AD 80-10-01 currently requires most of the same actions on the 
affected airplanes as are proposed in this NPRM. The only differences 
between the proposed AD and AD 80-10-01 are the addition of the Cessna 
Model 180K airplane to the applicability and the requirements for 
marking the airspeed indicator and for placing a supplemental AFM and 
AFM supplement in the cockpit. These proposed actions can be 
accomplished for an airplane used under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 91) by an owner/operator who holds at least a 
private pilot's certificate, and for an airplane used under Part 135 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 135) by an operator who holds 
an operating certificate issued under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 135), as authorized by sections 43.3, 43.7, and 
43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.3, 43.7, and 43.9), 
if the airspeed indicator is re-marked by painting the outside of the 
glass. The only cost impact upon the public for airplanes other than 
affected Cessna Model 180K airplanes, is the time it will take the 
affected airplane owners/operators to incorporate these actions. 
Therefore, the proposed AD has additional cost impact over that already 
required by AD 80-10-01 only for affected Cessna Model 180K airplanes.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would 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) if promulgated, 
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 draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action has been placed 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 
CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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 removing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 80-10-01, Amendment 39-3762, and by adding a new AD to read as 
follows:

Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. 97-CE-138-AD; Supersedes AD 80-
10-01, Amendment 39-3762.

    Applicability: The following airplane models, all serial 
numbers, certificated in any category, that are equipped with 
Airglas Engineering Company, Inc., Model LW3600-180 (single position 
wheel ski installation) or Model LW3600-180A (two position fixed 
penetration wheel ski installation) in accordance with supplemental 
type certificate (STC) SA213AL:

Models; 180, 180A, 180B, 180C, 180D, 180E, 180F, 180G, 180H, 180J, 
180K, 185, 185A, 185B, 185C, 185D, 185E, A185E, A185F.

    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 (g) 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 50 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent one or both wheel skis from rotating into a nose-down 
position during flight, which could result loss of control of the 
airplane and/or possible airplane damage during flight or landing 
operations, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the wheel ski bungee assemblies, safety cables, and 
check cables and their attachments to the airplane and the skis, in 
accordance with Airglas Engineering Company, Inc. (AECI) Drawing No. 
LW3600-180A-1 and -2, Revision ``B'', dated September 21, 1979; AECI 
Drawing No. LW3600-180A-3, Revision ``A'', dated April 30, 1979; and 
AECI Drawing No. LW3600-180, Revision ``F'', dated September 21, 
1979 (for single position wheel ski installations) or AECI Drawing 
No. LW3600-180A, Revision ``E'', dated September 21, 1979 (for two 
position wheel ski installations).

    Note 2: Airglas Engineering Company, Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) 
No. LW3600-3, originally issued: September 21, 1979; Amended: 
October 10, 1997, specifies following the procedures provided in the 
drawings referenced in paragraph (a) of this AD.

    (b) Fabricate and install a placard adjacent to the airspeed 
indicator with words at least \1/8\-inch in height in accordance 
with AECI Drawing No. LW3600-180A-11, originally issued: September 
21, 1979, and referenced in AECI SB No. LW3600-3, originally issued: 
September 21, 1979; Amended: October 10, 1997.
    (c) Mark the airspeed indicator to reflect the never exceed 
airspeed (160 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS)) and the maximum 
structural cruising speed (139 KIAS) in accordance with Airglas 
Engineering Company, Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. LW3600-3, 
originally issued: September 21, 1979; Amended: October 10, 1997.
    (d) Place AECI Document AE97-13FM, ``Supplemental Airplane 
Flight Manual and Airplane Flight Manual Supplement'', dated October 
10, 1997, in the airplane cockpit in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions section in AECI SB No. LW3600-3, 
originally issued: September 21, 1979; Amended: October 10, 1997.
    (e) The actions required in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this 
AD can be accomplished for an airplane used under Part 91 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 91) by an owner/operator 
who holds at least a private pilot's certificate, and for an 
airplane used under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 135) by an operator who holds an operating certificate 
issued under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
part 135), as authorized by sections 43.3, 43.7, and 43.9 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.3, 43.7, and 43.9), if the 
airspeed indicator is re-marked by painting the outside of the 
glass.
    (f) 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.
    (g) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Anchorage Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 222 West 7th Avenue, #14, Annex G Room A18,

[[Page 34836]]

Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7587. The request shall be forwarded through 
an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and 
then send it to the Manager, Anchorage ACO. Alternative methods of 
compliance approved for AD 80-10-01 are not considered approved as 
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Anchorage ACO.

    (h) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
the documents referred to herein upon request to Airglas Engineering 
Company, Inc., P.O. Box 190107, Anchorage, Alaska 99519-0107 or may 
examine these documents at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.
    (i) This amendment supersedes AD 80-10-01, Amendment 39-3762.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 15, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-16591 Filed 6-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
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