Summary
This document provides additional time for the public to comment on a proposal to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 80-04- 08, which currently requires inspecting (one-time) the fuel line and map light switch in the left hand forward door post for chafing or arcing and repairing any damage found on certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 172N, R172K, F172N, and FR172K airplanes. AD 80- 04-08 also required providing at least a 0.50-inch clearance between the map light switch and the fuel line; and installing a switch cover (insulator) over the map light switch. The proposed AD would extend the inspections and installation of the switch cover requirement to certain 172N, 172P, R172K, 172RG, F172N, F172P, FR172J, and FR172K series airplanes, would require replacement of the fuel line, if damaged; and would make the switch cover inspection and replacement repetitive. Comments received on the original NPRM (66 FR 1273, January 8, 2001) specify additional time to respond to the proposed action. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect and correct any chafing between the map light switch and the bordering fuel line, which could result in a fuel leak and an in-flight fire.