Airworthiness Directives: Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR20 Airplanes

Federal Register: March 12, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 49)

Proposed Rules

Page 13157-13159

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr12mr08-40

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. FAA-2008-0284; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-006-AD

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR20

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of

Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cirrus Design Corporation (CDC) Model SR20 airplanes. This proposed AD would require an inspection and replacement as necessary of the heat exchanger. This proposed AD results from the discovery of engine exhaust fumes in the cabin of CDC Model SR20 airplanes. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct leaks in the exhaust system, which could result in exhaust gases leaking into the cabin heating system. This condition could lead to carbon monoxide in the cabin and incapacitation of the pilot.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 12, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this proposed 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

Page 13158

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) 788-3000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Downs, Aerospace Engineer, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-7870; 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- 2008-0284; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-006-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 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

We received a report from the operator of a fleet of CDC Model SR20 airplanes that an exhaust leak was discovered in the cabin on one of the fleet airplanes. Failure of a spot weld that secures the heater shroud to the muffler caused the exhaust leak. Inspection of the operator's total fleet of 40 airplanes found 24 more airplanes with defective spot welds. One of these defective welds was leaking exhaust into the cabin heating system.

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to carbon monoxide in the cabin and incapacitation of the pilot.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Cirrus Service Bulletin SB 2X-78-07 R1, Revision 1, dated December 18, 2007. The service information describes procedures for:

Pressurization check of the heat exchanger;

Installation of an improved heat exchanger if broken welds or exhaust leaks are found; and

Repetitive 100-hour pressurization checks.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD would require an inspection and replacement as necessary of the exhaust system.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 713 airplanes in the

U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:

Total cost per Total cost on

Labor cost

Parts cost

airplane

U.S. operators

1 work-hour x $80 per hour = $80.............................

$0

$80

$57,040

We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacement that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection.

We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need this replacement:

Total cost per

Labor cost

Parts cost

airplane

1 work-hour x $80 per hour = $80......

$848

$928

Warranty credit will be given to the extent specified in Cirrus

Service Bulletin SB 2X-78-07 R1, Revision 1, dated December 18, 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

Page 13159

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, 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-2008-0284; Directorate

Identifier 2008-CE-006-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive

(AD) action by May 12, 2008.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Model SR20 airplanes, serial numbers 1005 through 1815, that are certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from the discovery of engine exhaust fumes in the cabin of Cirrus Design Corporation Model SR20 airplanes. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct leaks in the exhaust system, which could result in exhaust gases leaking into the cabin heating system. This condition could lead to carbon monoxide in the cabin and incapacitation of the pilot.

Compliance

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

Actions

Compliance

Procedures

(1) Perform a pressurization Initially within the Follow Cirrus check on the exhaust system. next 25 hours time- Service Bulletin SB in-service (TIS)

2X-78-07 R1, after the effective Revision 1, dated date of this AD or

December 18, 2007. within the next 3 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 100 hours TIS.

(2) If the exhaust system is Before further

Follow Cirrus found defective during any flight after the

Service Bulletin SB check required in paragraph effective date of

2X-78-07 R1,

(e)(1) of this AD or an

this AD.

Revision 1, dated exhaust odor is detected

December 18, 2007. inside the airplane cabin, replace the heat exchanger weldment and shroud with new improved heat exchanger weldment and new shroud.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(f) 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: Michael Downs, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago ACO, 2300 East

Devon Avenue, Room 107, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone:

(847) 294-7870; 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

(g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this

AD, contact Cirrus Design Corporation, 4515 Taylor Circle, Duluth,

Minnesota 55811, telephone: (218) 788-3000. To view the AD docket, go to 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 http:// www.regulations.gov.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 4, 2008.

David R. Showers,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

FR Doc. E8-4864 Filed 3-11-08; 8:45 am

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