[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]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U