[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 1, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67346-67348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27596]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-1161; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-036-AD;
Amendment 39-16850; AD 2011-21-51]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 525C airplanes. This emergency
AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these
airplanes. This AD requires replacing certain lithium-ion batteries
installed as the main aircraft battery with either a Ni-Cad or a lead
acid battery. This AD was prompted by a report of a battery fire that
resulted after an energized ground power unit was connected to one of
the affected airplanes equipped with a lithium-ion battery as the main
aircraft battery. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 1, 2011 to all persons except
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD
2011-21-51, issued on October 6, 2011, which contained the requirements
of this amendment.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication identified in the AD as of November
1, 2011.
We must receive comments on this AD by December 16, 2011.
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 AD, contact Cessna
Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS 67277;
telephone: (316) 517-6000; fax: (316) 517-8500; email:
Customercare@cessna.textron.com; Internet: http://www.cessna.com. You
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 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 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
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: Richard Rejniak, Aerospace Engineer,
[[Page 67347]]
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100,
Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4128; fax: (316) 946-4107;
email: richard.rejniak@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On October 6, 2011, we issued Emergency AD 2011-21-51, which
requires replacing the lithium-ion main aircraft battery, Cessna part
number (P/N) 9914788-1, with a Ni-Cad or a lead acid battery. This
emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators
of these airplanes. This action was prompted by a report of a battery
fire that resulted after an energized ground power unit was connected
to a Cessna Model 525C airplane equipped with a lithium-ion battery,
Cessna P/N 9914788-1, as the main aircraft battery. This condition, if
not corrected, could result in an aircraft fire.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Cessna Citation Service Bulletin SB525C-24-05, dated
September 29, 2011. The service information describes procedures for
replacing lithium-ion main aircraft batteries, Cessna P/N 9914788-1,
with Ni-Cad or lead acid batteries.
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 accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously.
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 of a
battery fire that resulted after an energized ground power unit was
connected to one of the affected airplanes equipped with a certain
lithium-ion battery as the main aircraft battery. If not corrected,
this condition could lead to an aircraft fire. 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-2011-1161 and
Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-036-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 43 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the lithium-ion main 2.5 work-hours x From $4,314 to From $4,526.50 to From $194,639.50
aircraft battery with a Ni-Cad $85 per hour = $7,076. $7,288.50. to $313,405.50.
or a lead acid battery. $212.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:
[[Page 67348]]
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):
2011-21-51 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-16850; Docket No.
FAA-2011-1161; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-036-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective November 1, 2011 to all persons except
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency
AD 2011-21-51, issued on October 6, 2011, which contained the
requirements of this amendment.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 525C
airplanes, serial numbers 0001 through 0052, that:
(1) Have a lithium-ion battery, Cessna part number (P/N)
9914788-1, installed as the main aircraft battery; and
(2) are certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 2432; Battery/Charger.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a battery fire that resulted
after an energized ground power unit was connected to one of the
affected airplanes equipped with a lithium-ion battery as the main
aircraft battery. We are issuing this AD to prevent a potential
battery fault that could lead to an aircraft fire.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Replace the Lithium-Ion Main Aircraft Battery, Cessna P/N 9914788-1
(1) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service after November 1,
2011 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 7 days after
November 1, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs
first, replace the lithium-ion main aircraft battery, Cessna P/N
9914788-1, following Cessna Citation Service Bulletin SB525C-24-05,
dated September 29, 2011.
(2) As of November 1, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), do
not install a lithium-ion battery, Cessna P/N 9914788-1, on any of
the affected airplanes.
(h) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits under 14 CFR 39.23 are allowed with the
following limitation: ``Single and non-revenue flights only.''
(i) 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.
(j) Related Information
For further information about this AD, contact: Richard Rejniak,
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100,
Wichita, Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946-4128; fax: (316) 946-4107;
email: richard.rejniak@faa.gov.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) You must use Cessna Citation Service Bulletin SB525C-24-05,
dated September 29, 2011, to do the actions required by this AD,
unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal
Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 on November 1, 2011.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS
67277; telephone: (316) 517-6000; fax: (316) 517-8500; email:
Customercare@cessna.textron.com; Internet: http://www.cessna.com.
(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information that
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at an NARA facility, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 19, 2011.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-27596 Filed 10-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P