AD 2009-09-09
Recurring
final rule
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | Cessna | Various | Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company (Type Certificate Previously Held by Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (Previously The Lancair Company)) Models LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG Airplanes |
| aircraft | Lancair | Various | Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company (Type Certificate Previously Held by Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (Previously The Lancair Company)) Models LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG Airplanes |
Unsafe Condition
Corrosion of the anodized 2024 aluminum rudder hinge brackets, leading to cracking, deformation, and discoloration, which could result in failure of the rudder and loss of control.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Repetitively inspect the rudder hinges and rudder hinge brackets for damage, including cracking, deformation, and discoloration. Replace any damaged rudder hinge and/or rudder hinge bracket if found during inspection.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
Cessna Aircraft Company (Type Certificate previously held by Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (previously The Lancair Company)) Models LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG airplanes, with serial numbers as specified in the AD.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Type Certificate previously held by Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (previously The Lancair Company)) Models LC40- 550FG, LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG airplanes. This AD requires you to repetitively inspect the rudder hinges and the rudder hinge brackets for damage, i.e., cracking, deformation, and discoloration. If damage is found during any inspection, this AD also requires you to replace the damaged rudder hinge and/or rudder hinge bracket. This AD results from reports that cracked lower rudder hinge brackets were found on two of the affected airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damage in the rudder hinges and the rudder hinge brackets, which could result in failure of the rudder. This failure could lead to loss of control.
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 82 (Thursday, April 30, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19873-19876]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: E9-9793]
========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each
week.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 82 / Thursday, April 30, 2009 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 19873]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0395; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-023-AD;
Amendment 39-15895; AD 2009-09-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing
(Previously The Lancair Company)) Models LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG, and
LC42-550FG Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Cessna Aircraft Company (Type Certificate previously held by Columbia
Aircraft Manufacturing (previously The Lancair Company)) Models LC40-
550FG, LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG airplanes. This AD requires you to
repetitively inspect the rudder hinges and the rudder hinge brackets
for damage, i.e., cracking, deformation, and discoloration. If damage
is found during any inspection, this AD also requires you to replace
the damaged rudder hinge and/or rudder hinge bracket. This AD results
from reports that cracked lower rudder hinge brackets were found on two
of the affected airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
damage in the rudder hinges and the rudder hinge brackets, which could
result in failure of the rudder. This failure could lead to loss of
control.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on May 11, 2009.
On May 11, 2009, the Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD.
We must receive any comments on this AD by June 29, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
To get the service information identified in this AD, contact
Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706; Wichita,
Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 942-9006; Internet:
<a href="http://www.cessna.com">http://www.cessna.com</a>.
To view the comments to this AD, go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>.
The docket number is FAA-2009-0395; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-023-
AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Park, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100,
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4123; fax: (316) 946-4107;
e-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cfa8aebdb6e1bfaebda48fa9aeaee1a8a0b9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="056264777c2b7564776e456364642b626a73">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We have received reports that a cracked lower rudder hinge bracket
was found on two Cessna Aircraft Company Model LC41-550FG airplanes.
One of the airplanes had 106 hours time-in-service (TIS) and the
rudder hinge was fully fractured. The other airplane had 225 hours TIS
and the rudder hinge was partially fractured.
The cracks occurred because of corrosion of the anodized 2024
aluminum brackets. By design, the bearings are pressed into hinge
elements and then staked on either side. In the staking process, the
anodized protection is lost.
Investigation is ongoing to determine to the best approach to take
to incorporate a modification or a design change to prevent the rudder
hinges and the rudder hinge brackets from becoming damaged, i.e.,
cracked, deformed, and discolored.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the
rudder. This failure could lead to loss of control.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Cessna Aircraft Company Single Engine Service Bulletin
SB09-27-01, dated April 13, 2009. The service information describes
procedures for repetitively inspecting the rudder hinges and the rudder
hinge brackets for damage, i.e., cracking, deformation, and
discoloration. The service information also describes procedures for
replacing any damaged rudder hinge and/or rudder hinge bracket.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the information and
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other products of the same type design. This AD requires
repetitively inspecting the rudder hinges and the rudder hinge brackets
for damage. If damage is found during any inspection, this AD also
requires replacing the damaged rudder hinge and/or rudder hinge
bracket.
Cessna Aircraft Company is reviewing the information related to the
occurrences referenced in this AD and may develop a modification that,
when incorporated, would eliminate the need for the repetitive
inspections required by this AD. The FAA will review any modification
that is developed, determine whether it would eliminate the need for
the requirements of this action, and then determine whether additional
AD action is necessary.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because
rudder failure could lead to loss of control. Therefore, we determined
that notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD
are impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in fewer than 30 days.
[[Page 19874]]
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and an opportunity for
public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views,
or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2009-0395;
Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-023-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light
of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive concerning this AD.
Authority for This Rulemaking
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
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We 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.
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 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket that contains the AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information on the
Internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527)
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2009-09-09 Cessna Aircraft Company (Type Certificate previously held
by Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (previously The Lancair
Company)): Amendment 39-15895; Docket No. FAA-2009-0395; Directorate
Identifier 2009-CE-023-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective on May 11, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial
numbers that are certificated in any category:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LC40-550FG.......................... 40001 through 40079.
LC41-550FG.......................... 41001 through 41800, 411001 and
subsequent.
LC42-550FG.......................... 42001 through 42569, 421001 and
subsequent.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD is the result of reports that cracked lower rudder
hinge brackets were found on two of the affected airplanes. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct damage, i.e., cracking,
deformation, and discoloration, in the rudder hinges and the rudder
hinge brackets, which could result in failure of the rudder. This
failure could lead to loss of control.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following per
Cessna Aircraft Company Single Engine Service Bulletin SB09-27-01,
dated April 13, 2009, unless already done:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Condition Initial inspection Repetitive inspection
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) For airplanes with 25 hours time-in- With the rudder removed and using 10X Thereafter inspect as
service (TIS) or more as of May 11, 2009 visual magnification, inspect all three follows:
(the effective date of this AD): rudder hinges and rudder hinge brackets (A) Every 25 hours TIS or 3
for damage, i.e., cracking, months, whichever occurs
deformation, and discoloration, at first, without removing
whichever of the following occurs the rudder, visually
first: inspect all three rudder
(i) Within the next 10 hours TIS after hinges and rudder hinge
May 11, 2009 (the effective date of brackets for damage; and
this AD); or (B) Every 50 hours TIS or 6
(ii) Within the next 30 days after May months, whichever occurs
11, 2009 (the effective date of this first, with the rudder
AD). removed and using 10X
visual magnification,
inspect all three rudder
hinges and rudder hinge
brackets for damage.
[[Page 19875]]
(2) For airplanes with less than 25 hours Without removing the rudder, visually Thereafter inspect as
TIS as of May 11, 2009 (the effective inspect all three rudder hinges and follows:
date of this AD): rudder hinge brackets for damage, at (A) Every 25 hours TIS or 3
whichever of the following occurs months, whichever occurs
later: first, without removing
(i) Upon accumulating 25 hours TIS; or the rudder, visually
(ii) Within the next 10 hours TIS after inspect all three rudder
May 11, 2009 (the effective date of hinges and rudder hinge
this AD). brackets for damage.
(B) Every 50 hours TIS or 6
months, whichever occurs
first, with the rudder
removed and using 10X
visual magnification,
inspect all three rudder
hinges and rudder hinge
brackets for damage.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) If damage is found on any of the rudder hinges and/or
rudder hinge brackets during any inspection required in paragraphs
(e)(1) or (e)(2), before further flight, replace the damaged rudder
hinges and/or rudder hinge brackets with new parts and inspect
following the Repetitive Inspection procedures specified in
paragraphs (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD.
(4) If the repetitive inspections required in paragraphs (e)(1)
and (e)(2) of this AD become due at the same time, credit for both
inspections will be given by doing the rudder removal and 10X visual
inspection.
(5) Use the form (Figure 1 of this AD) to report the results of
the following inspections required in this AD to the FAA at the
address specified in paragraph (f) of this AD:
(i) Initial inspections required in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2)
of this AD, report within 10 days after the inspection or within 10
days of May 11, 2009 (after the effective date of this AD),
whichever occurs later.
(ii) Repetitive inspections required in paragraphs (e)(1) and
(e)(2) of this AD ONLY if cracks are found, report within 10 days
after the inspection.
(iii) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the
information collection requirements contained in this regulation
under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AD 2009-09-09 Inspection Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airplane Model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airplane Serial Number
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airplane Tach Hours at Time of
Inspection
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is Upper Rudder Bracket Damaged? No Yes, describe
extent of damage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is Middle Rudder Bracket Damaged? No Yes, describe
extent of damage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is the Lower Rudder Bracket No Yes, describe
Damaged? (Models LC40-550FG & extent of damage
LC42-550FG only)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is Lower Rudder Hinge Damaged? No Yes, describe
(Model LC40-550FG) extend of damage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Were any other discrepancies
noticed during the inspection?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone and/or e-mail address:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Send report to: Gary Park, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-118W, Wichita
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100,
Wichita, Kansas 67209; fax: (316) 946-4107; e-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#741315060d5a0415061f341215155a131b02"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b5d2d4c7cc9bc5d4c7def5d3d4d49bd2dac3">[email protected]</span></a>.
Figure 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(f) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to
Attn: Gary Park, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-118W, Wichita Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita,
Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4123; fax: (316) 946-4107; e-
mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c0a7a1b2b9eeb0a1b2ab80a6a1a1eea7afb6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bfd8decdc691cfdecdd4ffd9dede91d8d0c9">[email protected]</span></a>. Before using any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(g) You must use Cessna Aircraft Company Single Engine Service
Bulletin SB09-27-01, dated April 13, 2009, to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Cessna Aircraft Company, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706; Wichita,
Kansas 67277; telephone: (316) 517-5800; fax: (316) 942-9006;
Internet: <a href="http://www.cessna.com">http://www.cessna.com</a>.
(3) You may review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the
Central Region, call (816) 329-3768.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference for this AD at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html">http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html</a>.
[[Page 19876]]
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 23, 2009.
Scott A. Horn,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-9793 Filed 4-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 6, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
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