AD 2002-22-17

This AD becomes effective on December 31, 2002.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of December 31, 2002.

You may get the service information referenced in this AD from Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; facsimile: (316) 942-9006. You may view this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-23-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

Paul Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: 316-946-4125; facsimile: 816-946-4407.

What Events Have Caused This AD?

A search by the FAA of the service difficulty database has revealed 10 cracked bellcrank incidents on Cessna Models 208 and 208B airplanes. As a result, Cessna has re-evaluated the bellcrank life limit analysis and determined 7,000 landings is more accurate than the original estimate of 9,000 landings. Cessna has revised the Models 208 and 208B Maintenance Manual and developed a service bulletin to notify the public that the inboard forward flap bellcrank life limit has been reduced to 7,000 landings. Since some Model 208 airplanes have exceeded 7,000 landings, we have determined that an AD is necessary to require replacement of the bellcrank in those airplanes.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

If not detected and corrected, a cracked bellcrank could fail. Such failure could lead to damage to the flap system and surrounding structure and result in reduced or loss of control of the airplane.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

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 all Cessna Models 208 and 208B airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on June 26, 2002 (67 FR 43056). The NPRM proposed to repetitively inspect the inboard forward flap bellcranks for cracks or replace bellcranks depending on the amount of usage and reduce the life limits of the bellcranks from 9,000 landings to 7,000 landings.

Was the Public Invited to Comment?

The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making of this amendment. The following presents the comments received on the proposal and FAA's response to each comment:

What Is the Commenter's Concern?

A commenter asks if the proposed AD only affects the right inboard flap bellcrank or the right and the left flap inboard bellcranks?

What Is FAA's Response to the Concern?

The Cessna Model 208 airplane has only one inboard flap bellcrank assembly and it is located on the right hand side of the aircraft. This flap bellcrank assembly controls both the right and left flaps. Therefore, inspection of the only flap bellcrank assembly in accordance with the Cessna Service Bulletin CABO2-1 will comply with the proposed AD.

We have not changed the final rule as a result of this comment.

What is the Commenter's Concern?

A commenter states that Cessna has revised their airworthiness limitations to reflect what the NPRM proposes. The limitations now include a 7,000 landings limit, with repetitive inspections every 500 landings until 7,000 landings are accumulated. For this reason, the commenter recommends that we withdraw the NPRM.

What is FAA's Response to the Concern?

We disagree. Airworthiness Directives that apply more restrictive limits to products are issued when the current limits contribute to an unsafe condition. The AD establishes a deadline to come into compliance with the new life limits.

We have not changed the final rule as a result of this comment.

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

We carefully reviewed all available information related to the subject presented above and determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for the changes discussed above and minor editorial questions. We have determined that these changes and minor corrections:

—Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and

—Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

We estimate that this AD affects 1,300 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected Airplanes?

We estimate the following costs to accomplish the inspection:

We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary replacements that would be required based on the reduced life limits:

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. FAA amends § 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows: