Discussion
What events caused this action? The FAA was notified that inadequate or incorrect flight controls rigging may exist on recently produced Cessna Models 172R, 172S, 182T, and T182T airplanes. The following issues were identified through Cessna's inspection of airplanes still at their production facility:
Two airplanes with ailerons not engaging the upper stops and one with a flap push/pull rod missing the nut on the bolt.
Elevator cables chafing fuel lines near the fuel selector, which caused damage to the fuel lines.
Elevator trim cables routed outside the cotter pins in the horizontal stabilizer.
Elevator trim cables crossed twice (trim functioned correctly in flight).
Control cables rubbing structures such as bulkheads and center consoles.
Aileron bell crank adjustment screw interference with stringer.
Barrels on control cables not safety pinned or incorrectly pinned.
Control cables routed outside of pulleys.
A bent flap bell crank.
After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, FAA determined that:
Operation of the affected Models 172R, 172S, 182T, and T182T airplanes should be prohibited until all the flight control systems are inspected and any discrepancies corrected; and
AD action should be taken to prevent loss of airplane control due to incorrect or inadequate rigging of critical flight systems.
Consequently, we issued emergency AD 2005-05-53 on March 4, 2005, to require a one-time detailed inspection of the flight control system, correction of installations that do not conform to type design, and repair of any damage.
The serial number designations included in AD 2005-05-53 were incorrect. We then revised AD 2005-05-53 to correct the serial numbers in the AD.
Why is it important to publish this AD? The FAA found that immediate corrective action was required, that notice and opportunity for priorpublic comment were impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and that good cause existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters issued on March 5, 2005, to all known U.S. operators of Cessna Models 172R, 172S, 182T, and T182T airplanes. These conditions still exist, and AD 2005-05-53 R1 is published in the Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective to all persons.
Comments Invited
Will I have the opportunity to comment before you issue the rule? This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment; however, we invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include "Docket No. FAA-2005-20587; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-10-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. If you want us toacknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify it. If a person contacts us through a nonwritten communication, and that contact relates to a substantive part of this AD, we will summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light of those comments.
Authority for This Rulemaking
What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 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 AD.
Regulatory Findings
Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatoryaction? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include "Docket No. FAA-2005-20587; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-10-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
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:
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: