Document ID: FAA-2012-1273-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Cessna Aircraft Company Airplanes
Posted Date: 2013-02-12T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 12, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9796-9798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02897]

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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; 
Amendment 39-17350; AD 2013-03-15]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172R and 172S airplanes. 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. This AD requires 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 issuing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 19, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of March 19, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: 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; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Janusz, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita

[[Page 9797]]

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: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2012 (77 FR 
72250). That NPRM proposed to 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.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 72250, December 5, 
2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (77 FR 72250, December 5, 2012) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 72250, December 5, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

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

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     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 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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (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),
    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2013-03-15 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-17350; Docket No.

[[Page 9798]]

FAA-2012-1273; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-045-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 19, 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 l72S11074 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 the Accomplishment Instructions 
section of Cessna Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SEB-28-01, dated 
September 21, 2012.
    (1) At the next annual inspection after March 19, 2013 (the 
effective date of this AD);
    (2) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after March 
19, 2013 (the effective date of this AD); or
    (3) Within the next 12 calendar months after March 19, 2013 (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 the 
Accomplishment Instructions section of Cessna Aircraft Company 
Service Bulletin SEB-28-01, dated September 21, 2012.

(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 the Accomplishment Instructions section of 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 the 
Accomplishment Instructions section of 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 
the Accomplishment Instructions section of 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, before further flight, 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.

(l) Related Information

    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.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Cessna Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SEB-28-01, dated 
September 21, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Cessna Aircraft Company 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 4, 2013.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-02897 Filed 2-11-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P