Document ID: FAA-2010-1297-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Cessna Aircraft Co. Models LC41-550FG and LC42-550FG Airplanes
Posted Date: 2011-01-10T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1349-1351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-33336]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1297; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-068-AD; 
Amendment 39-16569; AD 2010-26-54]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) (Type 
Certificate A00003SE Previously Held by Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing 
(Previously The Lancair Company)) Models LC41-550FG and LC42-550FG 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This emergency AD was sent previously to all 
known U.S. owners and operators of these airplanes. This AD requires 
obtaining written approval from the Manager, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), to operate the airplane. This written 
approval must clearly state that operation is approved per Emergency AD 
2010-26-54. This AD was prompted by a Cessna Model LC41-550FG airplane 
that suffered a significant structural failure in the wing during a 
production acceptance flight test. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
catastrophic failure of the wing due to disbonding of the wing skin 
from the wing spar.

DATES: This AD is effective January 10, 2011 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 
2010-26-54, issued on December 17, 2010, which contained the 
requirements of this amendment.
    We must receive comments on this AD by February 24, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations Office 
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 street address for

[[Page 1350]]

the Docket Operations 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: Gary Park, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita 
ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946-4123; 
fax: (316) 946-4107; e-mail: gary.park@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On December 10, 2010, we issued Emergency AD 2010-26-53, which 
requires obtaining written approval from the Manager, Wichita ACO, to 
operate the airplane. The written approval must clearly state that 
operation is approved per Emergency AD 2010-26-53. This action was 
prompted by a Cessna Model LC41-550FG airplane that suffered a 
significant structural failure in the wing during a production 
acceptance flight test. The wing skin disbonded from the upper forward 
wing spar. The length of the disbond was approximately 7 feet.
    Since issuing AD 2010-26-53, we determined the need to increase the 
serial numbers in the Applicability section and to correct a serial 
number in the Applicability section. We issued Emergency AD 2010-26-54, 
dated December 17, 2010, which retains the actions of the previous AD, 
adds serial numbers to the Applicability section, and corrects a serial 
number in the Applicability section.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in catastrophic 
failure of the wing due to disbonding of the wing skin from the wing 
spar.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing 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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires obtaining written approval from the Manager, 
Wichita ACO, to operate the airplane. The written approval must clearly 
state that operation is approved per Emergency AD 2010-26-54.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because 
disbonding of the wing skin from the wing spar could result in 
catastrophic failure of the wing. Therefore, we find that notice and 
opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2010-1297 and 
Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-068-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 13 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    There are no labor or parts costs associated with this AD action.

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, 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):

2010-26-54 Cessna Aircraft Company (Type Certificate A00003SE 
previously held by Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (previously The 
Lancair Company)): Amendment 39-16569; Docket No. FAA-2010-1297; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-068-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective January 10, 2011 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency 
AD 2010-26-54, issued on December 17, 2010, which contained the 
requirements of this amendment.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following Cessna Aircraft Company 
(Cessna) (Type Certificate A00003SE previously held by Columbia 
Aircraft Manufacturing (previously The Lancair Company)) airplanes 
certified in any category, as identified in table 1 of this AD:

[[Page 1351]]

                         Table 1--Applicability
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                  Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LC41-550FG..............................  41028, 41705, 411114, 411160,
                                           411161, 411162, 411163,
                                           411164, 411165, 411167,
                                           411170, and 411171.
LC42-550FG..............................  42517.
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Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD was prompted by a Cessna Model LC41-550FG airplane 
that suffered a significant structural failure in the wing during a 
production acceptance flight test. The wing skin disbonded from the 
upper forward wing spar. The length of the disbond was approximately 
7 feet. We are issuing this AD to prevent catastrophic failure of 
the wing due to disbonding of the wing skin from the wing spar.

Compliance

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

Operation Restriction

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD, do not operate the 
airplane without written approval from the Manager, Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO). This written approval must clearly state 
that operation is approved per AD 2010-26-54.

Special Flight Permit

    (h) A special flight permit requires written approval from the 
Manager, Wichita ACO. This written approval must clearly state that 
operation is approved per AD 2010-26-54.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Wichita 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 Principal 
Maintenance Inspector or Principal Avionics Inspector, as 
appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight 
Standards District Office.

Related Information

    (j) For further information about this AD, contact: Gary Park, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita, KS 
67209; phone: (316) 946-4123; fax: (316) 946-4107; e-mail: 
gary.park@faa.gov.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 27, 2010.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-33336 Filed 1-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P