Document ID: FAA-2012-0846-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Cessna Aircraft Company Airplanes
Posted Date: 2012-08-20T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 161 (Monday, August 20, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50054-50056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20371]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 161 / Monday, August 20, 2012 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 50054]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0846; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-021-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

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 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. This proposed AD would require you to inspect the fuel 
return line assembly for chafing; replace the fuel return line assembly 
if chafing is found; inspect the clearance between the fuel return line 
assembly and both the right steering tube assembly and the airplane 
structure; and adjustment as necessary. We are proposing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 4, 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, Customer service, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS 
67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 517-7271; 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-2012-0846; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-021-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) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 172R and 172S 
airplanes. That AD 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. That AD 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 that AD 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 an installed engine fuel return system modification kit.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Cessna Service Bulletin SB07-28-01, Revision 1, dated 
September 22, 2011. The service information describes the following 
procedures:
     Inspecting the fuel return line assembly;
     Replacing the fuel return line assembly if chafing is 
found; and
     Inspecting the clearance between the fuel return line 
assembly and both the right steering tube assembly and the airplane 
structure, adjusting as necessary.

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, except as discussed 
under

[[Page 50055]]

``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information.''
    This proposed AD will apply to only the Cessna Models 172R and 172S 
airplanes that have installed an engine fuel return system modification 
kit.
    AD 2012-02-02 (77 FR 6003, February 7, 2012) will remain in effect 
for the airplanes without the modification kit.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The service information permits tube damage up to a depth of 0.0035 
inch. There is no known method to accurately measure the thickness 
damage on a tube. We propose to require replacement of the fuel return 
line assembly if any damage is found.
    If no chafing is found in the inspection of the fuel return line 
assembly, the service information does not require inspection for 
clearance around the fuel return line assembly. We propose to require 
you to inspect the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and 
both the right steering tube assembly and airplane structure if no 
chafing is found and if the fuel return line assembly requires 
replacing.
    The service information does not specify a minimum clearance 
requirement between the fuel return line assembly and the right 
steering tube assembly, only that the fuel return line assembly does 
not touch either the right steering tube assembly or the airplane 
structure. We propose to require a minimum of 0.5 inch of clearance 
between the fuel return line assembly and the right steering tube 
assembly and require visible positive clearance between the fuel return 
line assembly and the airplane structure, during full rudder pedal 
actuation.
    The serial numbers this proposed AD apply to are not included in 
the Effectivity of the service information. However, the procedures in 
the service information for inspection and replacement of the fuel 
return line assembly are still accurate for the serial numbers this 
proposed AD applies to.
    The requirements of this proposed AD, if adopted as a final rule, 
would take precedence over the provisions in the service information.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 55 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
            Action                  Labor cost              Parts cost              product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection of the fuel return   1 work-hour x $85  Not applicable.............             $85           $4,675
 line assembly for chafing and   per hour = $85.
 clearance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
and adjustments that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of the fuel return line assembly   1 work-hour x $85 per hour =               $123             $208
 and adjustment of the clearance between the    $85.
 fuel return line assembly and both the
 steering tube assembly and the airplane
 structure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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):

[[Page 50056]]

Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-0846; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-CE-021-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 4, 2012.

(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) 17280001 through 17281187, 
that have incorporated Cessna Aircraft Company Service Bulletin 
SB04-28-03, dated August 30, 2004, and Engine Fuel Return System, 
Modification Kit MK172-28-01, dated August 30, 2004; and
    (2) Model 172S, S/N 172S8001 through 172S9490, that have 
incorporated Cessna Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SB04-28-03, 
dated August 30, 2004, and Engine Fuel Return System, Modification 
Kit MK172-28-01; dated August 30, 2004.

(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 chafed fuel return line 
assemblies caused by the fuel return line assembly rubbing against 
the right steering tube assembly during full 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 that occurs later, inspect the 
fuel return line assembly (Cessna part number (P/N) 0500118-49) for 
chafing following Cessna Service Bulletin SB07-28-01, Revision 1, 
dated September 22, 2011.
    (1) At the next annual inspection after the effective date of 
this AD; or
    (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 Line Assembly

    If you find evidence of chafing of the fuel return line assembly 
(Cessna P/N 0500118-49) as a result of the inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, then before further flight, replace the 
fuel return line assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49) following Cessna 
Service Bulletin SB07-28-01, Revision 1, dated September 22, 2011.

(i) Inspect for a Minimum Clearance Between Certain Parts

    After any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD and no 
chafing of the fuel return line assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49) is 
found or after replacement of the fuel return line assembly (Cessna 
P/N 0500118-49) required by paragraph (h) of this AD, before further 
flight, inspect for a minimum clearance between the following parts 
throughout the range of copilot pedal travel:
    (1) A minimum clearance of 0.5 inch between the fuel return line 
assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49) and the right steering tube 
assembly (Cessna P/N MC0543022-2C); and
    (2) Visible positive clearance between the fuel return line 
assembly (Cessna P/N 0500118-49) and the airplane structure.

(j) Adjust Clearance for Fuel Return Line Assembly

    If the clearance between the fuel return line assembly and the 
right steering tube assembly and the clearance between the fuel 
return line assembly and the aircraft structure do not meet the 
minimums as specified in paragraphs (i)(l) and (i)(2) of this AD, 
before further flight, adjust the clearances to meet the required 
minimums following the Instructions paragraph of Cessna Service 
Bulletin SB07-28-01, Revision 1, dated September 22, 2011.

(k) Engine Fuel Return System Modification

    Do not install Cessna Aircraft Company Service Bulletin SB 04-
28-03 and Engine Fuel Return System Modification Kit MK 172-28-01, 
both dated August 30, 2004, without performing the actions in this 
AD.

(l) 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.

(m) 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; 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 August 14, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-20371 Filed 8-17-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P