AD 98-14-07

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Cessna Aircraft Company Model 172R airplanes. This AD requires modifying the lower forward doorpost bulkhead by installing rivets. This AD is the result of a report from the manufacturer that these rivets were erroneously omitted during manufacture of some of the new production airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent reduced structural rigidity at the forward doorpost bulkhead, which could result in structural cracking and possible loss of control of the airplane.

Final rule

98-14-07 CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY: Amendment 39-10641; Docket No. 97-CE- 96-AD.
Applicability: Model 172R airplanes with the following serial numbers, certificated in any category:

17280004 through 17280016
17280101 through 17280113
17280018 through 17280050
17280115
17280052 through 17280058
17280116
17280060 through 17280062
17280118 through 17280125
17280064
17280128 through 17280131
17280066 through 17280082
and 17280138
17280085 through 17280099

NOTE 1: This 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 (c) 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.

Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent reduced structural rigidity at the lower forward doorpost bulkhead, which could result in structural cracking and possible loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Modify the lower forward doorpost of the affected airplanes by installing the specified rivets in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin No. SB97-53-02, dated September 15, 1997.

(b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas, 67209. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Wichita ACO.

(d) The modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin No. SB97-53-02, dated September 15, 1997. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from The Cessna Aircraft Company, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277. Copies may be inspected at theFAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on August 16, 1998.

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Cessna Model 172R airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 13, 1998 (63 FR 7322). The NPRM proposed to require modifying the lower forward doorpost bulkhead on both sides of the affected model airplanes by installing rivets. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin No. SB97-53-02, dated September 15, 1997.

The NPRM was the result of a report from the manufacturer that these rivets were erroneously omitted during manufacture of some of the new production airplanes.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the costto the public.

The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 87 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 14 workhours per airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $150 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $86,130, or $990 per airplane. The FAA assumes that none of the owners/operators of the affected airplanes have accomplished this action.

Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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".

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, 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:

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.

39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: