DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-0122; Directorate Identifier 2017-NM-010-AD;
Amendment 39-18809; AD 2017-04-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Textron Aviation Inc. (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Cessna Aircraft Company) 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. Model 560XL airplanes. This AD requires
inspections of the fuel tube and right alternating current (AC)
generator wires. This AD was prompted by reports of inadequate
separation between the electrical wire bundle and fuel tube. We are
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 9, 2017.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 9,
2017.
We must receive comments on this AD by April 10, 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: 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 final rule, contact
Textron Aviation Inc., P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, KS 67277; telephone 316-
517-6215; fax 316-517-5802; email citationpubs@txtav.com; Internet
https://support.cessna.com/custsupt/csupport/newlogin.jsp. You may view
this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also
available on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket
No.
FAA-2017-0122.
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-2017-0122;
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: Craig Henrichsen, Aerospace Engineer,
Electrical Systems and Avionics, ACE-119W, FAA, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Dwight D.
Eisenhower Airport, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: 316-946-4110; fax: 316-
946-4107; email: Wichita-COS@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We have been notified by Textron Aviation Inc. of a windshield heat
failure reported by a flight crew. During follow-on troubleshooting
activities, the maintenance crew discovered an open circuit breaker in
the tail cone area after finding the AC generator electrical wires
chafed against a motive flow fuel tube that was leaking. Additional
inspections by the operator found two more airplanes with chafing
damage to the wires and fuel tube. Textron Aviation Inc. also found
evidence of damage to the electrical wire bundle on two other
airplanes. Further inspections have found inadequate separation between
the electrical wire bundle and fuel tube on 19 airplanes in service.
The airplane quality inspection failed to identify the wire separation
problem prior to airplane delivery. Inadequate separation between the
fuel tube and electrical wire bundle, if not corrected, could result in
chafing, a possible fuel leak, and electrical arcing, which could lead
to a fuel ignition source and possible uncontrolled fire in the tail
cone of the airplane.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Textron Aviation Service Letter SL560XL-24-07,
including Attachment, dated January 13, 2017. The service information
describes procedures for inspections of the fuel tube and right AC
generator wires, applicable adjustments, and corrective actions. 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 section.
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 Textron Aviation Inc. For information on the
procedures and compliance times, see this service information at http://
www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0122.
The phrase ``related investigative actions'' is used in this AD.
Related investigative actions are follow-on actions that (1) are
related to the primary action, and (2) further investigate the nature
of any condition found.
The phrase ``corrective actions'' is used in this AD. Corrective
actions correct or address any condition found.
Interim Action
This AD is considered to be interim action. The inspection reports
that are required by this AD will enable the manufacturer to obtain
better insight into the nature, cause, and extent of the damage, and
eventually to develop final action to address the unsafe condition.
Once final action has been identified, we might consider further
rulemaking.
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
inadequate separation between the electrical wire bundle and fuel tube
could result in chafing, electrical arcing, and a possible fuel leak,
leading to a fuel ignition source and possible uncontrolled fire in the
tail cone of the airplane. 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-2017-0122 and
Directorate Identifier 2017-NM-010-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 639 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
Action |
Labor cost |
Parts cost |
Cost per product |
Cost on U.S. operators |
Inspections |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$85 |
$0 |
$85 |
$54,315 |
Reporting |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$85 |
0 |
85 |
54,315 |
We estimate the following costs to
do any necessary repairs or
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that
might need these repairs or replacements:
On-Condition Costs
Action |
Labor cost |
Parts cost |
Cost per product |
Fuel tube repair or replacement |
7 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$595. |
$321 |
$916 |
Electrical wiring replacement |
8 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$680. |
4¹ |
684¹ |
¹These figures are based on
1 foot of wire at $4 per foot.
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
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):
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