
[Federal Register: November 30, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 228)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 62479-62481]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30no09-3]                         


[[Page 62479]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-1096; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-056-AD; 
Amendment 39-16105; AD 2009-24-13]
RIN 2120-AA64

 
Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Model 525A 
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 525A airplanes. This AD requires 
you to repetitively inspect the thrust attenuator paddle assemblies for 
loose and damaged fasteners and for cracks. This AD also requires you 
to replace loose or damaged fasteners and replace cracked thrust 
attenuator paddles found during any inspection. This AD results from 
reports of fatigue cracks found in thrust attenuator paddles. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct loose and damaged fasteners and 
cracks in the thrust attenuator paddles, which could result in in-
flight departure of the thrust attenuator paddles. This failure could 
lead to rudder and elevator damage and result in loss of control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 15, 2009.
    On December 15, 2009, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by January 14, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.
     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-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.
    To get the 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; Internet: http:/
/www.cessna.com.
    To view the comments to this AD, go to http://www.regulations.gov. 
The docket number is FAA-2009-1096; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-056-
AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: T.N. Baktha, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4155; fax: (316) 946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received reports of fatigue cracks found in thrust attenuator 
paddles on Cessna Model 525A airplanes.
    Four incidents of thrust attenuator paddles departing from 
airplanes have been reported. In two cases, the thrust attenuator 
paddles hit the rudder and caused structural damage to the rudder.
    The thrust attenuator paddles are attached to the aft fuselage. The 
attachment fasteners fatigue and break.
    It is also possible that a failed thrust attenuator paddle could 
depart the airplane and hit and damage the elevator.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in in-flight 
departure of the thrust attenuator paddles. This failure could lead to 
rudder and elevator damage and result in loss of control.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Cessna Citation Alert Service Letter ASL525A-78-01, 
Revision 1, dated October 27, 2009. The service information describes 
procedures for inspecting and modifying the thrust attenuator paddle 
assemblies.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the information and 
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other products of the same type design. This AD requires 
repetitively inspecting the thrust attenuator paddle assemblies for 
loose and damaged fasteners and for cracks. This AD also requires 
replacing loose or damaged fasteners and replacing cracked thrust 
attenuator paddles.
    This is considered interim action. Cessna is working on a design 
improvement to change the attachment fasteners from the currently used 
counter sunk rivets to universal head rivets. The FAA will consider 
taking additional rulemaking action to supersede this AD and terminate 
the above repetitive inspections when Cessna completes the design 
change, and the FAA approves it as addressing the unsafe condition.

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 the 
thrust attenuator paddles attached to the aft fuselage and the 
attachment fasteners are subject to fatigue. Fatigue in these parts 
could result in in-flight departure of the thrust attenuator paddles. 
This failure could lead to rudder and elevator damage and result in 
loss of control.
    Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for public 
comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause 
exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, 
or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2009-1096; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-056-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light 
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 concerning this AD.

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

[[Page 62480]]

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 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); and
    (3) 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information 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 Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) 
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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):

2009-24-13 Cessna Aircraft Company: Amendment 39-16105; Docket No. 
FAA-2009-1096; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-056-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on December 15, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model 525A airplanes, serial numbers 0001 
through 0244, that are certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 78: Engine 
Exhaust.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from reports of fatigue cracks found in 
thrust attenuator paddles. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct cracks in the thrust attenuator paddles, which could result 
in in-flight departure of the thrust attenuator paddles. This 
failure could lead to rudder and elevator damage and result in loss 
of control.

Compliance

    (f) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless 
already done:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Visually inspect the      Within the next 60    Follow Cessna
 left and right thrust         days after December   Citation Alert
 attenuator paddle             15, 2009 (the         Service Letter
 assemblies to determine if    effective date of     ASL525A-78-01,
 there are any missing,        this AD) or within    Revision 1, dated
 loose, or damaged fasteners   the next 30 hours     October 27, 2009.
 and to determine if there     time-in-service
 are any cracks in the         (TIS) after
 paddle.                       December 15, 2009
                               (the effective date
                               of this AD),
                               whichever occurs
                               first. Repetitively
                               inspect thereafter
                               at intervals not to
                               exceed 150 hours
                               TIS.
(2) If you do not find any    Before further        Follow Cessna
 cracks in the thrust          flight after the      Citation Alert
 attenuator paddles during     inspection required   Service Letter
 any inspection required in    in paragraph (f)(1)   ASL525A-78-01,
 paragraph (f)(1) of this      of this AD.           Revision 1, dated
 AD, install any missing       Continue with the     October 27, 2009.
 fasteners, and replace any    repetitive
 loose or damaged fasteners.   inspections
                               specified in
                               paragraph (f)(1) of
                               this AD.
(3) If cracks are found       Before further        Follow Cessna
 during any inspection         flight after the      Citation Alert
 required in paragraph         inspection required   Service Letter
 (f)(1) of this AD, do a       in paragraph (f)(1)   ASL525A-78-01,
 surface eddy current          of this AD in which   Revision 1, dated
 inspection of the thrust      cracks are found.     October 27, 2009.
 attenuator paddles and the
 fastener hole(s) to
 determine the length of the
 cracks(s).

[[Page 62481]]


(4) If the cracks identified  (i) If the            Follow Cessna
 in paragraph (f)(3) of this   conditions of         Citation Alert
 AD meet or exceed the         paragraph 3.A.(1)     Service Letter
 limits specified in           of Cessna Citation    ASL525A-78-01,
 paragraph 3 of Cessna         Alert Service         Revision 1, dated
 Citation Alert Service        Letter ASL525A-78-    October 27, 2009.
 Letter ASL525A-78-01,         01, Revision 1,
 Revision 1, dated October     dated October 27,
 27, 2009, replace the         2009, are met,
 thrust attenuator paddle      replace before
 and attachment hardware, as   further flight
 applicable.                   after the
                               inspection required
                               in paragraph (f)(3)
                               of this AD. After
                               the replacement,
                               continue with the
                               repetitive
                               inspections
                               specified in
                               paragraph (f)(1) of
                               this AD.
                              (ii) If the
                               conditions of
                               paragraph 3.A.(2)
                               of Cessna Citation
                               Alert Service
                               Letter ASL525A-78-
                               01, Revision 1,
                               dated October 27,
                               2009, are met,
                               replace within the
                               next 150 hours TIS
                               after the
                               inspection required
                               in paragraph (f)(3)
                               of this AD. After
                               the replacement,
                               continue with the
                               repetitive
                               inspections
                               specified in
                               paragraph (f)(1) of
                               this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) 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. Send information to 
Attn: T.N. Baktha, Aerospace Engineer, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4155; fax: (316) 946-
4107. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the 
AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in 
the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, 
your local FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use Cessna Citation Alert Service Letter ASL525A-
78-01, Revision 1, dated October 27, 2009, to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (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; Internet: 
http://www.cessna.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the 
Central Region, call (816) 329-3768.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD 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/ code_of_federal_regulations/ 
ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 19, 2009.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-28234 Filed 11-27-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
