Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 172R, 172S, 182S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H airplanes. The existing AD currently requires an inspection of the engine oil pressure switch and, if applicable, replacement of the engine oil pressure switch. Since we issued that AD, we have received new reports of internal failure of the engine oil pressure switch, which could result in complete loss of engine oil with consequent partial or complete loss of engine power or fire. This proposed AD would increase the applicability of the AD and place a life-limit of 3,000 hours time-in-service on the engine oil pressure switch, requiring replacement when the engine oil pressure switch reaches its life limit. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 16, 2012.

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 proposed AD, contact Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax (316) 942-9006; Internet: www.cessna.com/customer-service/technical-publications.html. 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 proposed 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:

Jeff Janusz, Sr. Propulsion Engineer, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209; phone: (316) 946-4148; fax: (316) 946-4107; email: jeff.janusz@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2012-1052; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-014-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

On February 11, 2000, we issued AD 2000-04-01, amendment 39-11583 (65 FR 8649, February 22, 2000), for certain Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172R, 172S, 182S, 206H, and T206H airplanes. That AD requires inspection of the engine oil pressure switch to determine if the engine oil pressure switch is part-number (P/N) 77041 or P/N 83278 and replacement of any P/N 77041 engine oil pressure switch with a P/N 83278 engine oil pressure switch. That AD resulted from reports of failure of the engine oil pressure switch diaphragm. We issued that AD to prevent loss of engine oil through the failure of the engine oil pressure switch diaphragm, which could result in partial or complete loss of engine power.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

Since we issued AD 2000-04-01, amendment 39-11583 (65 FR 8649, February 22, 2000), we have received new reports of internal failure of the engine oil pressure switch, which could result in complete loss of engine oil with consequent partial or complete loss of engine power or fire.

Relevant Service Information

We reviewed Cessna Service Bulletin 07-79-01, dated January 29, 2007. The service information describes procedures for replacement of the engine oil pressure switch.

FAA's Determination

We are proposing 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 these same type designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would retain none of the requirements of AD 2000-04-01, amendment 39-11583 (65 FR 8649, February 22, 2000). This proposed AD would increase the applicability statement of the existing AD and require an inspection of the engine oil pressure switch with replacement of the engine oil pressure switch when it reaches its life limit of 3,000 hours time-in-service. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information

Applicability in this proposed AD has been expanded to include additional airplane serial numbers.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 6,155 airplanes of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 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 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 have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed regulation:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Is not a “significant rule” under the 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

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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.