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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0546; Project Identifier 2020-CE-001-AD; Amendment
39-21137; AD 2020-03-50]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cirrus Design Corporation Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for
certain Cirrus Design Corporation (Cirrus) Model SF-50 airplanes. This
AD was sent previously as an emergency AD to all known U.S. owners and
operators of these airplanes. This AD requires disconnecting and
removing the headset amplifier and microphone interface circuit card
assemblies for the 3.5 mm audio and microphone jacks. This AD was
prompted by a cabin fire incident that occurred on a Cirrus Model SF50
airplane during ground operations where the operator observed smoke
exiting from behind the right sidewall interior panel. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 11, 2020 to all persons except
those
persons to whom it was made immediately effective by Emergency AD 2020-
03-50, issued on February 14, 2020, which contained the requirements of
this amendment.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication identified in this AD as of June 11,
2020.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by July 27, 2020.
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 https://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
Cirrus Design Corporation; 4515 Taylor Circle Duluth, MN 55811; phone:
(800) 279-4322; email: info@cirrusaircraft.com; internet: https://cirrusaircraft.
com. You may view the referenced service information at
the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 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 https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0546.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0546; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed
above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Dubusky, Aerospace Engineer,
Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines,
Illinois 60018; phone: 847-294-7543; fax: 847-294-7834; email:
joseph.dubusky@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On February 14, 2020, the FAA issued Emergency AD 2020-03-05, which
requires disconnecting and removing the headset amplifier and
microphone interface circuit card assemblies. This emergency AD was
sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these
airplanes. This action was prompted by a cabin fire incident that
occurred on a Cirrus Model SF50 airplane during ground operations. The
operator observed smoke exiting from behind the right sidewall interior
panel located behind crew seat 2 and forward of passenger seat 5. The
investigation into the incident determined the probable root cause was
a malfunction of the headset amplifier (part number (P/N) 38849-001)
and the microphone interface (P/N 35809-001) circuit card assemblies
for the 3.5 millimeter (mm) audio and microphone jacks. This
malfunction can result in an electrical short and subsequent
uncontained cabin fire without activating circuit protection.
This condition, if not addressed, could lead to an uncontained
cabin fire, resulting in possible occupant injury or loss of airplane
control.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Cirrus Alert Service Bulletin Number SBA5X-23-03,
dated February 7, 2020 (SBA5X-23-03). The service information contains
instructions to disconnect and remove the headset amplifier and
microphone interface circuit card assemblies for the 3.5 mm audio and
microphone jacks. 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
The FAA is issuing this AD because it 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 SBA5X-23-03
as described previously.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that required the immediate adoption of
Emergency AD 2020-03-50, issued on February 14, 2020, to all known U.S.
owners and operators of these airplanes. The FAA found that the risk to
the flying public justified waiving notice and comment prior to
adoption of this rule because immediate corrective action was necessary
to prevent an electrical short and subsequent uncontained cabin fire,
which could result in occupant injury or loss of airplane control.
These conditions still exist and the AD is hereby published in the
Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective to all
persons. Therefore, the FAA finds good cause that notice and
opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable. In addition,
for the reasons stated above, the FAA finds 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, the FAA invites you to send any written data, views,
or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include Docket Number FAA-2020-0546
and Project Identifier 2020-CE-001-AD at the beginning of your
comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final
rule. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
The FAA will post all comments the FAA receives, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive
verbal contact that is received about this final rule.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 173 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
| Remove audio and microphone circuit
cards
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6 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $510 |
N/A
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$510
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$88,230
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According to the manufacturer, some
of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. The FAA does control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in its 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.
The FAA is 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 Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment,
RFA analysis is not required.
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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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:
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