[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 122 (Monday, June 25, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37827-37829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15451]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0644; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-011-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Cessna Aircraft Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Cessna Aircraft Company Model 750 airplanes. This proposed
AD was prompted by reports of direct current (DC) generator overvoltage
events. This proposed AD would require replacing the auxiliary power
unit (APU) generator control unit (GCU). We are proposing this AD to
prevent DC generator overvoltage events, which could result in
subsequent smoke in the cockpit and loss of avionics and electrical
systems.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 9, 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 Co., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone
316-517-6215; fax 316-517-5802; email citationpubs@cessna.textron.com;
Internet https://www.cessnasupport.com/newlogin.html. You may review
copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-
227-1221.
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: Christine Abraham, Aerospace Engineer,
Electrical Systems and Avionics Branch, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent
Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: 316-946-4165; fax: 316-946-
4107; email: christine.abraham@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-2012-0644;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-011-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
We have received reports of direct current (DC) generator
overvoltage events. The GCU overvoltage protection circuit can become
damaged and allow high voltage to pass through to the airplane systems
and electrical components. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in smoke in the cockpit and loss of avionics and electrical
systems.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-24-30, dated December 5,
2011. The service information describes procedures for replacing the
APU GCU having part number (P/N) 9914752-2 with one having P/N 9914752-
6.
Other Relevant Rulemaking
On January 28, 2011, we issued AD 2011-03-16, Amendment 39-16600
(76 FR 8607, February 15, 2011), for Model 750 airplanes. That AD
requires an inspection to determine the serial numbers of the APU
generator and the left and right engine DC generators, and corrective
actions if necessary. That AD also requires revising the airplane
flight manual (AFM). That AD was prompted by a report of a DC generator
overvoltage event, which caused smoke in the cockpit and damage to
numerous avionics and electrical components. In that AD, we noted that
additional rulemaking might be necessary. The replacement proposed in
this AD is necessary in addition to the actions required by AD 2011-03-
16, in order to address the identified unsafe condition.
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 ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service
Information.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information
Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment
Instructions of Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-24-30, dated December 5,
2011, state that operators must return the GCU having P/N 9914752-2 to
the manufacturer, this proposed AD would not include that requirement.
Operators should also note that, although the Accomplishment
Instructions of Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-24-30, dated December 5,
2011, describe procedures for submitting a sheet recording compliance
with that service bulletin, this proposed AD would not include that
requirement.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 58 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
[[Page 37828]]
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replacement......................... 2 work-hours x $85 per $2,400 $2,570 $149,060
hour = $170.
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According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this proposed 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
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
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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
The Cessna Aircraft Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-0644; Directorate
Identifier 2012-NM-011-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by August 9, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Cessna Aircraft Company Model 750
airplanes; certificated in any category; having serial numbers -
0222, -0225 through -0306 inclusive, and -0308.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical power.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of direct current (DC) generator
overvoltage events. We are issuing this AD to prevent DC generator
overvoltage, which could result in smoke in the cockpit and loss of
avionics and electrical systems.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Replacement
Except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD: Within 6 months
after the effective date of this AD, replace the auxiliary power
unit generator control unit (GCU) having part number (P/N) 9914752-2
with one having P/N 9914752-6, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Cessna Service Bulletin SB750-24-30, dated December
5, 2011.
(h) Exceptions
(1) Where the Accomplishment Instructions of Cessna Service
Bulletin SB750-24-30, dated December 5, 2011, state that operators
must return the GCU having P/N 9914752-2 to the manufacturer, this
AD does not require that action.
(2) Where the Accomplishment Instructions of Cessna Service
Bulletin SB750-24-30, dated December 5, 2011, state that the
operator must record that the service bulletin has been completed,
this AD does not require that action.
(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
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Christine
Abraham, Aerospace Engineer, Electrical Systems and Avionics Branch,
ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport
Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209;
telephone: 316-946-4165; fax: 316-946-4107; email:
christine.abraham@faa.gov.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Cessna Aircraft Co., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone
316-517-6215; fax 316-517-5802; email
citationpubs@cessna.textron.com; Internet https://www.cessnasupport.com/newlogin.html. You may review copies of the
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
425-227-1221.
[[Page 37829]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 18, 2012.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-15451 Filed 6-22-12; 8:45 am]
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