AD 99-27-02

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) 170, 172, 175, and 177 series airplanes. This AD requires replacing certain fuel selector valve cams or fuel selector valves that Cessna shipped from December 6, 1998, through May 10, 1999, and prevents the future installation of these fuel selector valve cams or fuel selector valves. This AD allows the pilot to check the logbooks to determine whether one of these fuel selector valve cams or fuel selector valves is installed. This AD results from reports from Cessna that fuel selector valve cams and fuel selector valves were manufactured with control shafts that will not allow both tanks to supply fuel to the engine in certain situations. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent an inadequate supply of fuel from reaching the engine because of a fuel selector valve cam or fuel selector valve. This could result in an emergency landing or loss of control of the airplane.

Final rule; request for comments

99-27-02 CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY: Amendment 39-11483; Docket No. 99-CE-24-AD. Issued December 20, 1999. \n\n\t(a)\tWhat airplanes are affected by this AD?: The following airplane models and serial numbers that are: \n\n\t\t(1)\tcertificated in any category; and \n\n\t\t(2)\tequipped with Fuel Selector Valve Cam part number 0513123, or FuelSelector Valve part number 0513120-5, 0513120-6, 0513120-8, 0513120-9, or 0513120-200; that Cessna shipped from December 6, 1998, through May 10, 1999: \n\n\nModel\nSerial Numbers\n170B\n20267 through 20999\n170B\n25000 through 27169\n170B\n609 and 19401\n172\n28000 through 29999\n172\n36000 through 36999\n172\n46001 through 46754\n172\n610, 612, and 615\n172A\n46755 through 47746\n172A\n622 and 625\n172B\n17247747 through 17248734\n172B\n630\n172C\n17248735 through 17249544\n172D\n17249545 through 17250572\n172E\n17250573 through 17251822\n172E\n639\n172F\n17251823 through 17253392\n172G\n17253393 through 17254892\n172H\n17254893 through 17256492\n172H17256494 through 17256512\n172H\n638\n172I\n17256513 through 17257161\n172K\n17257162 through 17258486\n172K\n17258487 through 17259223\n172L\n17259224 through 17259903\n172L\n17259904 through 17260758\n172M\n17260759 through 17261444\n172M\n17261446 through 17261577\n172M\n17261579 through 17261898\n172M\n17256493\n172M\n17261899 through 17263458\nP172\nP17257120 through P17257188\nP172E (T41)\nR172-0001 through R172-0335\nR172F (T41)\nR172-0336 through R172-0409\nR172G (T41)\nR1720410 through R1720444\nR172H (T41)\nR1720445 through R1720494\nR172H (T41)\nR1720495 through R1720546\n\n\nModel\nSerial Numbers\nR172H (T41)\nR1720547 through R1720620\nR172J\nP17257189\nR172K\nR1722000 through R1722724\nR172K\nR1722725 through R1722929\nR172K\nR1722930 through R1723199\nR172K\n680\nR172K\nR1723200 through R1723397\nR172K\nR1723397 through R1723399\nR172K\nR1723400 through R1723454\n175\n28700A\n175A\n619\n175C\n17557003 through 17557119\n177\n17700001\n177\n17700003 through 17701164\n177661\n177A\n17701165 through 17701370\n177B\n17701371 through 17701471\n177B\n17701473 through 17701530\n177B\n17701531 through 17701633\n177B\n17700002 \n177B\n17701634 through 17701773\n177B\n17701774 through 17701973\n177B\n17701974 through 17702123\n177B\n17702124 through 17702313\n177B\n17701472\n177B\n17702314 through 17702522\n177B\n17702523 through 17702672\n177B\n17702673 through 17702752\nF172D\nF172-0001 through F172-0018\nF172E\nF172-0019 through F172-0085\nF172F\nF172-0086 through F172-0179\nF172G\nF172-0180 through F172-0319\nF172H\nF172-0320 through F172-0431\nF172H\nF172-0436 through F172-0442\nF172H\nF172-0444 through F172-0446\nF172H\nF172-0432 through F172-0435\nF172H\nF172-0443\nF172H\nF172-0447 through F172-0559\nF172H\nF172-0560 through F172-0654\nF172H\nF17200655 through F17200754\nF172K\nF17200755 through F17200804\nF172L\nF17200805 through F17200904\nF172M\nF17200905 through F17201034\nF172M\nF17201035 through F17201234\nFP172\nFP172-0001 through FP172-0003\nFR172E\nFR17200001 through FR17200060\nFR172F\nFR17200061 through FR17200145\nFR172G\nFR17200146 through FR17200225\nFR172H\nFR17200226 through FR17200275\nFR172H\nFR17200276 through FR17200350\nFR172J\nFR17200351 through FR17200440\nFR172J\nFR17200441 through FR17200530\nFR172J\nFR17200531 through FR17200559\nFR172J\nFR17200560 through FR17200590\nFR172K\nFR17200591 through FR17200620\nFR172K\nFR17200621 through FR17200630\nFR172K\nFR17200631 through FR17200655\nFR172K\nFR17200656 through FR17200665\nFR172K\nFR17200666 through FR17200675\n\n\t(b)\tWho must comply with this AD?: Anyone who wishes to operate any of the above airplanes on the U.S. Register. \n\n\t(c)\tWhat problem does this AD address?: The affected fuel selector valve cams or fuel selector valves, when installed, could result in an inadequate supply of fuel to the engine. This could then result in an emergency landing or loss of control of the airplane.\n\n\t(d)\tWhat must I do to address this problem?: To address this problem, you must accomplish the replacement, records check, and/or installation prohibition requirements explained below, as applicable: \n\n\t\t(1)\tReplacement Requirement \n\n\t\t\t(i)\tWhat action is required?: Replace any Fuel Selector Valve Cam part number 0513123, or Fuel Selector Valve part number 0513120-5, 0513120-6, 0513120-8, 0513120-9, or 0513120-200, that Cessna shipped from December 6, 1998, through May 10, 1999. Paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (d)(2)(ii) of this AD provide procedures for checking the maintenance records to determine if one of these fuel selector valve cams or fuel selector valves is installed. \n\n\t\t\t(ii)\tWhat procedures must be used?: The procedures contained in Cessna Service Bulletin SEB99-7, dated June 7, 1999, and the applicable maintenance manual. \n\n\t\t\t(iii)\tWhen is the action required?: Within the next 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD. \n\t\t(2)\tMaintenance Records Check \n\n\t\t\t(i)\tMay the pilot check the maintenance records to determine if thisAD applies?: Yes. The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may check the maintenance records to determine whether one of the affected fuel selector valve cams or fuel selector valves was installed after December 6, 1998. \n\n\t\t\t(ii)\tWhat if the maintenance records show that no affected fuel selector valve cam or fuel selector valve is installed?: If, by checking the maintenance records, the pilot can positively show that a Fuel Selector Valve Cam part number 0513123, or Fuel Selector Valve part number 0513120-5, 0513120-6, 0513120-8, 0513120-9, or 0513120-200, is not installed or was installed prior to December 6, 1998, then the replacement requirement of paragraph (b) of this AD does not apply. You must make an entry into the aircraft records that shows compliance with this portion of the AD, in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).(3)\tInstallation Prohibition Requirements\n\n\t\t\t(i)\tWhat prevents these parts from being installed in the future?: You may not install a Fuel Selector Valve Cam part number 0513123 or Fuel Selector Valve part number 0513120-5, 0513120-6, 0513120-8, 0513120-9, or 0513120-200; that Cessna shipped from December 6, 1998, through May 10, 1999, in any of the affected airplanes.\n\n\t\t\t(ii)\tWhen does this prohibition go into effect?: As of the effective date of this AD. \n\n\t(e)\tCan I comply with this AD in any other way?: Yes. \n\n\t\t(1)\tYou may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if: \n\n\t\t\t(i)\tYour alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of safety; and \n\n\t\t\t(ii)\tThe Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager. \n\n\t\t(2)\tThis AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. \n\n\t(f)\tWhere can I get information about any already-approved alternative methods of compliance?: Contact the Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas, 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4143; facsimile: (316) 946-4407. \n\n\t(g)\tWhat if I need to fly the airplane toanother location to comply with this AD?: The FAA can issue a special flight permit under sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where you can accomplish the requirements of this AD. \n\n\t(h)\tAre any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by reference?: Yes. You must accomplish the actions required by this AD in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SEB99-7, dated June 7, 1999. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get copies from the Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277. You can look at copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC. \n\n\t(i)\tWhen does this amendment become effective?: Thisamendment becomes effective on January 21, 2000.

Discussion \nWhat events have caused this AD?: Cessna manufactured fuel selector valve cams and fuel selector valves that may have control shafts that will not allow both tanks to supply fuel to the engine when the pilot selects the "Both On" position. These fuel selector valve cams and fuel selector valves can be installed in certain Cessna 170, 172, 175, and 177 series airplanes (specific models listed in the AD). The "Both On" position is required for takeoff and landing on most of the affected airplanes, in order to supply fuel to the engine at an acceptable rate. \n\nWhat is the unsafe condition?: These fuel selector valve cams or fuel selector valves, when installed, could result in an inadequate supply of fuel to the engine and result in an emergency landing or loss of control of the airplane. What is the cause of the problem?: Quality control. Cessna shipped the fuel selector valve cams and fuel selector valves during the time of December 6,1998, through May 10, 1999. \n\nRelevant Service Information\nIs there service information that applies to this subject?: Yes. Cessna has issued Service Bulletin SEB99-7, dated June 7, 1999. \n\nWhat are the provisions of this service bulletin?: The service bulletin includes the following: - a list of all the airplanes where these fuel selector valve cams and fuel selector valves are eligible for installation; - the material and parts necessary to replace the fuel selector valve cams and fuel selector valves; - instructions for accomplishing the fuel selector valve cam and fuel selector valve replacement; and - information on warranty credit. \n\nThe FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of the AD What has the FAA decided?:\tAfter examining the circumstances and reviewing all available information related to the incidents described above, including the relevant service information, the FAA has determined that: - an unsafe condition exists or could develop on certain Cessna 170, 172, 175, and 177 series airplanes; - the above-referenced fuel selector valve cams and fuel selector valves should be removed from service and future installation should be prohibited; and - AD action should be taken to prevent an inadequate supply of fuel from reaching the engine because of a fuel selector valve cam or fuel selector valve, which could result in an emergency landing or loss of control of the airplane. \n\n\tWhat does this AD require?: This AD requires replacing certain fuel selector valve cams and fuel selector valves that Cessna shipped from December 6, 1998, through May 10, 1999, and prevents the future installation of these fuel selector valve cams and fuel selector valves. This AD allows the pilot to check the logbooks to determine whether one of these fuel selector valve cams or fuel selector valves is installed. \n\nWhat is the compliance time of this AD?: Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD. Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of this regulation, the FAA finds that notice and opportunity for public prior comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days. \n\nComments Invited \n\tAlthough this action is in the form of a final rule and was not preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, the FAA invites comments on this rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and submit your comments in triplicate to the address specified under the caption "ADDRESSES." The FAA will consider all comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this rule in light of comments received. Factual information that supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking action. \n\n\tThe FAA is re-examiningthe writing style we currently use in regulatory documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of June 1, 1998. That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate more clearly with the public. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of this document is clearer, and any other suggestions you might have to improve the clarity of FAA communications that affect you. You can get more information about the Presidential memorandum and the plain language initiative at http://www.plainlanguage.gov. \n\n\tThe FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may examine all comments we receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each FAA contact with the public that concerns the substantive parts of this AD. \n\n\tIf you want us to acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write "Comments to Docket No. 99-CE-24-AD." We will date stamp and mail the postcard back to you. \n\nRegulatory Impact \n\tThese regulations 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, the FAA has determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. \n\n\tThe FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft, and is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. We determined that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If the FAA determines that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, we will prepare a final regulatory evaluation and place it in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is not required). You may obtain a copy of this evaluation, if filed, from the Rules Docket. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. \n\nAdoption of the Amendment\n\tAccordingly, pursuant to 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: \n\nPART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\t1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n§ 39.13 (Amended) \n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: