82 FR 23497 - Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation Inc. Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 98 (May 23, 2017)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Textron Aviation Inc. Models 402C and 414A airplanes (type certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company). This AD requires inspecting the nacelle fittings for cracks, replacing if necessary, and reporting the results of the inspection to the FAA. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks found on certain nacelle fittings. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 98 (Tuesday, May 23, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23497-23500]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10391]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0450; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-013-AD; 
Amendment 39-18883; AD 2017-10-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation Inc. 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 certain 
Textron Aviation Inc. Models 402C and 414A airplanes (type certificate 
previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company). This AD requires 
inspecting the nacelle fittings for cracks, replacing if necessary, and 
reporting the results of the inspection to the FAA. This AD was 
prompted by reports of cracks found on certain nacelle fittings. We are 
issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 7, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 7, 
2017.
    We must receive comments on this AD by July 7, 2017.

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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-

[[Page 23498]]

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
Textron Aviation Inc., Textron Aviation Customer Service, One Cessna 
Blvd., Wichita, Kansas 67215; telephone: (316) 517-5800; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: www.txtav.com. You may view this 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. It is also available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2017-0450.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0450; 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 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: Paul Chapman, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4152; fax: (316) 946-4107, 
email: [email protected] or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received a report from an operator who discovered a failed 
nacelle fitting on a Textron Aviation Inc. Model 402C airplane. The 
nacelle fitting was completely cracked through and no longer functioned 
as intended.
    Investigation revealed that the part was not manufactured in 
accordance with the design specification. We have determined that out-
of-tolerance parts may lead to premature failure caused by metal 
fatigue.
    The Textron Aviation Inc. Model 414A airplanes share a similar 
design in the affected area to that of the Model 402C airplanes.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the 
nacelle fitting, which could lead to engine nacelle separation and loss 
of control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on 
these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Textron Aviation Mandatory Multi-engine Service Letter 
MEL-54-02, Revision 2, dated March 29, 2017. The service letter 
describes procedures for inspecting the nacelle fittings for cracks and 
replacing if necessary. This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES.

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. This AD also requires sending the 
inspection results to the FAA so that appropriate information can be 
evaluated for any possible change in future inspections.

FAA's Justification and 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 
cracks in the nacelle fitting may cause the fitting to fail, which 
could lead to engine nacelle separation and loss of control. 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-2017-0450 and 
Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-013-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 555 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 nacelle fittings..............  2 work-hours x $85 per               N/A            $170         $94,350
                                         hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that will be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need these 
replacements:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace nacelle fitting P/N 5292029-21 (this    80 work-hours x $85 per hour =            $4,084         $10,884
 is the replacement part for P/N 5292029-9,      $6,800.
 which is no longer in production).

[[Page 23499]]

 
Replace nacelle fitting P/N 5292029-22 (this    80 work-hours x $85 per hour =             3,985          10,785
 is the replacement part for P/N 5292029-10,     $6,800.
 which is no longer in production).
Replace nacelle fitting P/N 5292029-23 (this    80 work-hours x $85 per hour =             5,373          12,173
 is the replacement part for P/N 5292029-11,     $6,800.
 which is no longer in production).
Replace nacelle fitting P/N 5292029-24 (this    80 work-hours x $85 per hour =             5,373          12,173
 is the replacement part for P/N 5292029-12,     $6,800.
 which is no longer in production).
Replace nacelle fitting P/N 5292029-21 and P/N  128 work-hours x $85 per hour =            4,084          20,337
 5292029-23 (both left-hand engine beam          $10,880.                                  5,373
 fittings).
Replace nacelle fitting P/N 5292029-22 and P/N  128 work-hours x $85 per hour =            3,985          20,238
 5292029-24 (both right-hand engine beam         $10,880.                                  5,373
 fittings).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden 
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA 
at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

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):

2017-10-09 Textron Aviation Inc.: Amendment 39-18883; Docket No. 
FAA-2017-0450; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-013-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective June 7, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Textron Aviation Inc. (type certificate 
previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Model 402C airplanes, 
serial numbers 402C0001 through 402C1020, and Model 414A airplanes, 
serial numbers 414A0001 through 414A1212, that are certificated in 
any category; and are equipped with either of the following:
    (1) Cessna Multi-Engine Service Kit SK402-47, ``Lower Front Wing 
Spar Cap Inspection/Modification,'' Original Issue, Revision A, or 
Revision B; or
    (2) Nacelle fittings part numbers (P/Ns) 5292029-9, 5292029-10, 
5292029-11, 5292029-12, 5292029-21, 5292029-22, 5292029-23, or 
5292029-24.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD:  P/Ns 5292029-9, 5292029-10, 
5292029-11, 5292029-12, 5292029-21, 5292029-22, 5292029-23, or 
5292029-24 were installed when the Cessna Multi-Engine Service Kit 
SK402-47 was installed.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 5415; Nacelles/Pylons.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracks found on certain 
nacelle fittings. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
cracks on the nacelle fitting, which could cause the nacelle fitting 
to fail. This failure could result in engine nacelle separation and 
loss of control. 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) Inspection

    Inspect the nacelle fitting following the Accomplishment 
Instructions (except for paragraph 6) in Textron Aviation Mandatory 
Multi-engine Service Letter MEL-54-02, Revision 2, dated March 29, 
2017, at the applicable compliance times specified in paragraphs 
(g)(1) through (2) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes with less than 7,400 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) on the affected nacelle fitting: Before or upon accumulating 
3,500 hours (TIS) on the nacelle fitting or within the next 100 
hours TIS after June 7, 2017 (the

[[Page 23500]]

effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later. Repetitively 
thereafter inspect every 120 hours TIS until the nacelle fitting has 
reached 7,500 hours TIS. When the airplane reaches 7,500 hours TIS 
on the affected nacelle fitting, the repetitive inspection time must 
be changed to 60 hours TIS. A 10-hour TIS grace period is allowed 
for those airplanes between 51 and 110 hours TIS for the first 
repetitive inspection when the airplane reaches 7,500 hours TIS on 
the nacelle.
    (2) For airplanes with 7,400 hours TIS or more on the affected 
nacelle fitting: Before or upon accumulating 7,500 hours TIS on the 
nacelle fitting or within the next 25 hours TIS after June 7, 2017 
(the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later. 
Repetitively thereafter inspect every 60 hours TIS.

(h) Replacement

    (1) If cracks are found during any inspection required in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, replace the cracked 
nacelle fitting.
    (2) If a cracked nacelle fitting P/N 5292029-9, 5292029-10, 
5292029-11, 5292029-12, 5292029-21, 5292029-22, 5292029-23, or 
5292029-24, is replaced with a new nacelle fitting P/N 5292029-9, 
5292029-10, 5292029-11, 5292029-12, 5292029-21, 5292029-22, 5292029-
23, or 5292029-24, the new part is subject to the requirements of 
this AD.

(i) Reporting Requirement

    Within 10 days after doing the initial inspection in paragraph 
(g) of this AD or within 10 days after June 7, 2017 (the effective 
date of this AD), whichever occurs later, using the Attachment to 
Textron Aviation Mandatory Multi-engine Service Letter MEL-54-02, 
Revision 2, dated March 29, 2017, ``Visual Inspection Results 
Form,'' complete the report and send a copy to the Wichita Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO) at the address listed in paragraph (m) of 
this AD or by email to [email protected].

(j) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    This AD allows credit for the inspections required in paragraph 
(g) of this AD if done before June 7, 2017 (the effective date of 
this AD), following Textron Aviation Mandatory Multi-engine Service 
Letter MEL-54-02, dated December 23, 2016, or Textron Aviation 
Mandatory Multi-engine Service Letter MEL-54-02, Revision 1, dated 
March 22, 2017.

(k) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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 paragraph 
(m) 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

    For more information about this AD, contact Paul Chapman, 
Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4152; fax: (316) 946-
4107; email: [email protected] or [email protected].

(n) 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 this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Textron Aviation Mandatory Multi-engine Service Letter MEL-
54-02, Revision 2, dated March 29, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Textron Aviation Inc. service information identified in 
this AD, contact Textron Aviation Inc., Textron Aviation Customer 
Service, One Cessna Blvd., Wichita, KS 67215; telephone: (316) 517-
5800; email: [email protected]; Internet: www.txtav.com.
    (4) You may view this 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. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2017-0450.
    (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 May 9, 2017.
Melvin Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-10391 Filed 5-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P