AD 2012-23-01

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 21, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69742-69744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27456]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1084; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-056-AD; 
Amendment 39-17257; AD 2012-23-01]
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 all 
Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 402C airplanes modified by 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA927NW and Model 414A airplanes 
modified by STC SA892NW. This AD was prompted by report of a Cessna 
Model 414A airplane modified by STC SA892NW that experienced an 
asymmetrical flap condition causing an uncommanded roll when the pilot 
set the flaps to the approach position. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the flap system, which could result in an 
asymmetrical flap condition. This condition could result in loss of 
control.

DATES: This AD is effective December 26, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of December 26, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Sierra Industries, Ltd, 122 Howard Langford Drive, Uvalde, Texas 78801; 
telephone: 888-835-9377; email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.sijet.com/r-stol-high. 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 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: Michael A. Heusser, Program Manager, 
Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort 
Worth, Texas 76137; phone: (817) 222-5038; fax: (817) 222-5160; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that 
would apply to the specified products. That SNPRM published in the 
Federal Register on August 23, 2012 (77 FR 50954). The original NPRM 
(75 FR 66700, October 29, 2010) proposed to require a complete 
inspection of the flap system and modification of the flap control 
system. The SNPRM (77 FR 50954, August 23, 2012) proposed to 
incorporate additional service information that addresses proper 
rigging procedures and corrective actions following additional 
inspection procedures.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the SNPRM (77 FR 50954, August 23, 
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

[[Page 69743]]

as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that 
these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
SNPRM (77 FR 50954, August 23, 2012) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the SNPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 150 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect the flap system and modify/     25 work-hours x $85 per           $1,000          $3,125        $468,750
 replace the flap preselect control      hour = $2,125.
 cable.
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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):

2012-23-01 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-17257; Docket No. 
FAA-2010-1084; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-056-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 26, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 402C 
airplanes modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA927NW 
and Model 414A airplanes modified by STC SA892NW, all serial 
numbers, that are certificated in any category.

 (d) Subject

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

 (e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a Cessna Model 414A airplane 
modified by STC SA892NW that experienced an asymmetrical flap 
condition causing an uncommanded roll when the pilot set the flaps 
to the approach position. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure 
of the flap system, which could result in an asymmetrical flap 
condition. This condition could result in loss of control.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection of the Flap Control System

    Within 60 days after December 26, 2012 (the effective date of 
this AD), do a complete inspection of the flap control system 
following the Inspection Instructions section of Sierra Industries, 
Ltd. Service Bulletin SI09-82 Series-1, Rev. A, dated June 12, 2012.

(h) Modification of the Flap Control System

    (1) If any damage to the flap bellcrank or bellcrank mounting 
structure is found in the inspection required in paragraph (g) of 
this AD, before further flight, repair the damage and modify the 
flap control system following the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Sierra Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin SI09-82 Series-1, Rev. A, 
dated June 12, 2012.
    (2) If no damage to the flap bellcrank or bellcrank mounting 
structure is found in the inspection required in paragraph (g) of 
this AD, within 180 days after December 26, 2012 (the effective date 
of this AD), modify the flap control system following the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Sierra Industries, Ltd. Service 
Bulletin SI09-82 Series-1, Rev. A, dated June 12, 2012.

(i) Instructions for Continued Airworthiness

    Within 7 months after December 26, 2012 (the effective date of 
this AD), or during your next annual inspection, whichever occurs 
earlier, incorporate Sierra Industries, Ltd. Instructions for 
Continued Airworthiness, 82-1, Issue 1, dated June 12, 2012, into 
your FAA-approved maintenance program.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Michael A. 
Heusser, Program Manager, Fort Worth ACO, FAA, 2601

[[Page 69744]]

Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; phone: (817) 222-5038; fax: 
(817) 222-5160; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Sierra Industries, Ltd., 122 Howard Langford Drive, Uvalde, Texas 
78801; telephone: 888-835-9377; email: [email protected]; Internet: 
http://www.sijet.com/r-stol-high. You may review copies of the 
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.

(l) 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 the service information as applicable to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Sierra Industries, Ltd. Service Bulletin SI09-82 Series-1, 
Rev. A, dated June 12, 2012.
    (ii) Sierra Industries, Ltd. Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness, 82-1, Issue 1, dated June 12, 2012.
    (3) For Sierra Industries, Ltd. service information identified 
in this AD, contact Sierra Industries, Ltd., 122 Howard Langford 
Drive, Uvalde, Texas 78801; telephone: 888-835-9377; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.sijet.com/r-stol-high.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (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 November 5, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-27456 Filed 11-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P