Airworthiness Directives; Cirrus Design Corporation Models SR20 and SR22 Airplanes, 68108-68111 [E7-23456]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 4, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68108-68111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23456]



[[Page 68108]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28246; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-048-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cirrus Design Corporation Models SR20 
and SR22 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); Reopening of 
the comment period.

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SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to certain Cirrus Design Corporation (CDC) Models 
SR20 and SR22 airplanes. The earlier NPRM would have required you to 
inspect and, as necessary, adjust the aileron and rudder rigging and 
would have required you to modify, inspect, and, as necessary, adjust 
the rudder-aileron interconnect system. The earlier NPRM resulted from 
a jamming of the aileron and rudder controls on a Model SR20 airplane, 
which resulted in loss of rudder and aileron flight controls. Since 
issuance of the NPRM, CDC revised the service information as a result 
of comments received on the NPRM, and the FAA has determined the 
changes to the service information are necessary to address the unsafe 
condition. The changes in the revised service information include the 
addition of airplanes to the Applicability; a requirement to check 
rudder, aileron, and rudder-aileron interconnect rigging; a requirement 
to replace the attaching hardware and clamp at the end of the rudder-
aileron interconnect arm; and an increase in work-hours to do the 
proposed actions. This proposed AD would require you to use the revised 
service information and would require you to report any out-of-rig 
condition found. Since these actions impose an additional burden over 
that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow 
the public the chance to comment on these additional actions.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 3, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD:
     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: 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.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Circle, Duluth, Minnesota 55811; 
telephone: (218) 727-2737; Internet address: https://
www.cirrusdesign.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wess Rouse, Aerospace Engineer, 2300 
East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: 
(847) 294-8113; fax: (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2007-28246; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-048-AD'' at the beginning of 
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On June 14, 2007, we issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that 
would apply to certain CDC Models SR20 and SR22 airplanes. This 
proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on June 21, 2007 (72 FR 34198). The NPRM proposed to 
require you to inspect and, as necessary, adjust the aileron and rudder 
rigging and would require you to modify, inspect, and, as necessary, 
adjust the rudder-aileron interconnect system.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and FAA's response to each comment:

Comment Issue No. 1: Language in the Summary of the NPRM Implies That 
the Control Jamming Event Only Occurs on the Ground

    Mr. Gene Hudson and Ms. Bridgette Doremire state that language in 
the Summary of the NPRM improperly implies that the control jamming 
event only occurs on the ground. They contend that such language might 
encourage owners and operators to underestimate the risk. Hudson 
recommends deleting the language from the Summary.
    We agree that the language of the Summary could imply that the 
control jamming event only occurs on the ground. To eliminate this 
implication, we will delete the language in the Summary that implies 
that the control jamming event only occurs on the ground.

Comment Issue No. 2: Remove Text From the Service Information That 
States the Control Jamming Event Has Not Been Seen on Aircraft With 
Flight Control Systems Rigged to Specifications

    Hudson and Doremire state the service information text is 
misleading and implies that the jamming of the flight controls will 
only occur if the flight controls have been improperly rigged after 
leaving the factory. They claim that evidence exists of airplanes being 
improperly rigged at the factory or of flight controls jamming in the 
field after aircraft are rigged at the factory. Hudson recommends 
deleting the text from the service information or not referencing the 
service information in the proposed AD if the service information 
includes the misleading text.
    We do not agree with the commenters. Although it is not known how 
the controls became improperly rigged, this is the reason the jamming 
occurred. The aileron and rudder controls have not jammed on a properly 
rigged airplane. The CDC has changed the rigging procedure to give more 
detailed instructions regarding the rigging procedure.
    We are not changing the proposed AD as a result of this comment.

Comment Issue No. 3: Include Text in the Proposed AD That the Jamming 
Condition Can Occur at Positions Other Than Full Cross Control

    Hudson and Doremire contend that the jamming condition can occur at 
positions other than full cross control.

[[Page 68109]]

The commenters claim that they have inspected several airplanes and 
have noted interference conditions during cross-control deflections at 
less than half-travel. We infer that the commenters want language in 
the proposed AD to reflect that the jamming condition can occur at 
positions other than full cross control.
    There has been no evidence provided to show that there is a problem 
until full cross-control. The airplane that we inspected showed no 
interference until full cross control. One of the airplanes that the 
commenters discussed was reviewed by representatives of the FAA, CDC, 
and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). It was determined 
that the airplane's rudder was improperly rigged. The CDC has revised 
procedures for rudder rigging to give more detailed instructions in the 
manufacturer's service bulletin.
    We are not changing the proposed AD as a result of this comment.

Comment Issue No. 4: Proposed AD Gives the False Impression That the 
Jamming Condition Has Been Identified on Only One Airplane

    Hudson and Doremire state that the proposed AD gives the impression 
that the jamming condition has been identified on only 1 airplane. 
Doremire claims to have seen the jamming condition on 12 airplanes. 
Hudson also states that a posting on an Internet Web site indicates 
that aircraft owners believe that the problem has only been found on 1 
airplane.
    The jammed condition initially occurred on 1 airplane. However, 
subsequent inspections have shown improper rigging on other airplanes.
    We will revise the proposed AD to identify the occurrence of 
improper rigging on several airplanes.

Comment Issue No. 5: Issue the Proposed AD as an Emergency AD and 
Ground Any Airplane That Has Not Incorporated the Modifications 
Required by the AD

    Hudson and Doremire contend that the urgency of the rudder-aileron 
interconnect problem has been understated. They want this AD action to 
be an Emergency AD and include the immediate grounding of any airplane 
that has not incorporated the modifications required by the AD.
    Our risk assessment shows the rudder-aileron interconnect problem 
warrants NPRM AD action.
    We are not changing the proposed AD as a result of this comment.

Comment Issue No. 6: Inspect for Clamp and Bungee Clamp Interference 
With Adjacent Control Cables; Implement a Solution to the Control 
System Interference

    Hudson and Doremire state that there is a significant risk for 
flight control cable fraying with repeated clamp chafing, especially in 
airplanes used in flight training. Further, airplanes have potentially 
experienced chafing while doing normal crosswind takeoffs and landings. 
They recommend revising the proposed AD to require an inspection for 
clamp and bungee clamp interference with adjacent control cables, 
including a specific check for rudder, aileron, and elevator control 
cable fraying in the 12 inches adjacent to the forward and aft bungee 
clamps and the interconnect arm rudder clamp.
    The commenters also recommend revising the proposed AD to implement 
a solution to the control system interference to prevent possible 
contact between the moving parts of the system throughout the full 
range of possible control travel.
    We agree with the commenters that interference of the control cable 
mechanism should not occur. The manufacturer's service bulletin has 
been revised to add design changes to further increase clearances. In 
addition, more detailed rigging and inspection instructions have been 
added. Additionally, the revised service bulletin adds a redesigned 
clamp for the end of the interconnect arm.
    We are incorporating the revised service bulletin into the proposed 
AD.

Comment Issue No. 7: Restrict Affected Aircraft From Forward and Side 
Slips, Power On and Off Stalls, Unusual Attitudes, Steep Turns, Slow 
Flight, and Any Takeoffs or Landings in Crosswind Conditions

    Doremire strongly recommends restricting all affected aircraft from 
forward slips, side slips, power on and off stalls, unusual attitudes, 
steep turns, slow flight, and any takeoffs or landings in crosswind 
conditions. The commenter states that such restrictions would prevent 
in-flight loss of control.
    The FAA disagrees with the recommendation. The restrictions that 
the commenter proposes will ground all CDC airplanes until 
incorporation of the AD actions. The data submitted so far shows that 
the binding of the controls has only occurred on misrigged airplanes 
and can be overcome by additional control forces. The risk assessment 
performed does not support these proposed restrictions.
    We are not changing the proposed AD as a result of this comment.

Comment Issue No. 8: Special Flight Permit Limitations

    Hudson recommends removal of the interconnect bungee as a condition 
for the issuance of a special flight permit. We conclude that the 
commenter recommends the requirement of a special flight permit with 
the above restriction.
    We disagree that the restriction should be added to the AD. 
Evidence warranting this restriction for a special flight permit has 
not been shown. In the event that an aircraft has experienced a binding 
event, the aircraft should not be flown until the binding event is 
addressed/corrected. The Principal Inspector and/or Flight Standards 
District Office (FSDO) may always add this restriction on a case-by-
case basis when issuing a special flight permit.
    We are not changing the proposed AD as a result of this comment.

Comment Issue No. 9: Require Incorporation of Service Bulletin No. SB 
2X-27-14 R3 Within the Listed Compliance Time and Allow an Extended 
Compliance Time for Those Who Have Already Done Service Bulletin No. 
SB2X-27-14 R2

    CDC comments that aircraft complying with Service Bulletin No. 
SB2X-27-14 R2 minimizes the probability for the locking condition and 
meets the primary objective of the proposed AD. They request the 
proposed AD allow for an extended compliance period for those who have 
already done Service Bulletin No. SB2X-27-14 R2.
    We disagree with CDC. The instructions listed in Service Bulletin 
No. SB2X-27-14 R2 do not include adequate rigging instructions for the 
rudder. Further, it is not known if the modified airplanes were rigged 
correctly. Also, additional improvements to the rudder/ailerons 
interconnect system were made that were not included in Service 
Bulletin No. SB2X-27-14 R2. The FAA has determined that the changes 
incorporated into Service Bulletin No. SB 2X-27-14 R3 are necessary to 
address the unsafe condition.
    We are not changing the proposed AD as a result of this comment.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
the unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other products of the same type design; and we should take 
AD action to correct this unsafe condition.

[[Page 68110]]

    Certain changes described above in the comments expand the scope of 
the earlier NPRM. As a result, we have determined that it is necessary 
to reopen the comment period to provide additional opportunity for the 
public to comment on the proposed AD.

The Supplemental NPRM

    Since issuance of the NPRM, CDC has issued Cirrus Service Bulletin 
No. SB 2X-27-14 R3, Revised: October 10, 2007.
    The revised service information includes instructions that add new 
attaching parts, including an improved bungee clamp that replaces the 
existing Adel clamp at the end of the rudder-aileron interconnect arm; 
re-orient existing cable clamps 180 degrees at the RH rudder cable; 
clarify security of attaching parts and orientation of bungee cord 
ends; change the serial number effectivity for the Model SR20 airplane; 
and increase work-hours necessary to do the proposed action.
    The FAA has determined that the changes incorporated into the 
service bulletin are necessary to address the unsafe condition. The 
added proposed AD actions following the revised service bulletin go 
beyond the scope of what was originally proposed in the NPRM. 
Therefore, we are reopening the comment period and allowing the public 
the chance to comment on these additional actions.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 2,435 airplanes in the 
U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed check of the 
rudder, aileron, and rudder-aileron interconnect rigging, and 
replacement of the attaching hardware for the rudder-aileron 
interconnect arm and RH aileron cable clamps:

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                                                                                 Total cost per   Total cost on
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        airplane      U.S. operators
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1.5 work-hours x $80 per hour = $120.........................             $18             $138         $336,030
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    CDC will provide warranty credit to the extent noted in Service 
Bulletin SB 2X-27-14 R3, Issued: May 9, 2007, Revised: October 10, 
2007.

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); 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on 
the Internet at https://dms.dot.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) 647-5227) 
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, 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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Cirrus Design Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2007-28246; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-CE-048-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by January 3, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model SR20 airplanes, serial numbers (SN) 
1005 through 1861, and Model SR22 airplanes, SN 0002 through 2333, 
SN 2335 through 2419, and SN 2421 through 2437, that are 
certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from an incident of jamming of the aileron 
and rudder controls on a Model SR20 airplane and the possibility of 
the occurrence on other airplanes. In addition, other Models SR20 
and SR22 airplanes have been found with misrigging of the flight 
controls that could lead to jamming. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent the possibility of jamming of the rudder-aileron 
interconnect system, which may result in loss of rudder and aileron 
flight controls.

Compliance

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

[[Page 68111]]



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               Actions                             Compliance                            Procedures
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(1) Inspect/check the rudder,         At whichever occurs first:            Follow Cirrus Service Bulletin No.
 aileron, and rudder-aileron          (i) Within the next 25 hours time-in-  SB 2X-27-14 R3, Issued: May 9,
 interconnect rigging; correct any     service (TIS) after the effective     2007, Revised: October 10, 2007.
 out-of-rig condition; and replace     date of this AD; or
 the attaching hardware for the       (ii) Within the next 3 months after
 rudder-aileron interconnect arm.      the effective date of this AD.
(2) Only if you find an out-of-rig    At whichever occurs later:            Send the form (Figure 1 of this AD)
 condition: Report to the FAA any     (i) Within 10 days after the           to FAA, Manufacturing Inspection
 out-of-rig conditions discovered as   inspection required in paragraph      District Office, 6020 28th Avenue
 a result of the inspection required   (e)(1) of this AD; or                 South, Room 103, Minneapolis,
 by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD on    (ii) Within 10 days after the          Minnesota, 55450-2700; telephone
 the form in Figure 1 of this AD.      effective date of this AD.            (612) 713-4366; facsimile (612) 713-
 The Office of Management and Budget                                         4365.
 (OMB) approved the information
 contained in this regulation under
 the provisions of the Paperwork
 Reduction Act and assigned OMB
 Control Number 2120-0056.
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    Note: Temporary revisions to the airplane maintenance manuals 
(AMM), SR20 AMM Temporary Revision No. 27-1 and SR22 AMM Temporary 
Revision No. 27-1, both dated October 10, 2007, contain information 
pertaining to this subject.


               Docket No. FAA-2007-28246 Inspection Report
            [Report only if you find an out-of-rig condition]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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1. Inspection Performed By:          2. Telephone:
 
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3. Aircraft Model:                   4. Airplane Serial Number:
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5. Aircraft Total Hours Time-in-     6. Date of inspection required in
 Service:                             paragraph (e)(1) of this AD:
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7a. Do any of the aircraft logs      7b. If Yes, copy the log book
 contain entries describing flight    entry(s) and include the date of
 control system maintenance,          the entry.
 preventative maintenance, or
 alteration:
 
----Yes ----No
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Inspection Results: (Report only if an out-of-rig condition is found,
 and describe the out-of-rig condition as accurate and detailed as
 possible):
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Corrective Action Taken:
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Send to:
 
Federal Aviation Administration
Manufacturing Inspection District Office 6020 28th Avenue South, Room
 103
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55450-2700
 
Telephone (612) 713-4366
Facsimile (612) 713-4365
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Chicago 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: Wess Rouse, Aerospace Engineer, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 
107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-8113; fax: 
(847) 294-7834. 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.

Related Information

    (h) To get copies of the service information referenced in this 
AD, contact Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Circle, Duluth, 
Minnesota 55811; telephone: (218) 727-2737; Internet address: http:/
/www.cirrusdesign.com. To view the AD docket, go to the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, 
DC 20590, or on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov. The docket 
number is Docket No. FAA-2007-28246; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-
048-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 28, 2007.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-23456 Filed 12-3-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P