2000-02-14: Exhaust Muffler End Plates

2000-02-14 CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY: Amendment 39-11532; Docket No. 98-CE-125-AD; Supersedes AD 98-13-10, Amendment 39-10598. Applicability: Model 182S airplanes, serial numbers 18280001 through 18280286, certificated in any category. 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 (g) 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless already accomplished. To detect and correct damage to the engine exhaust mufflers caused by cracking and the high stresses imposed on the attachment of the exhaust system at the area the firewall, which could result in exhaust gases entering the airplane cabin with consequent crew and passenger injury, accomplish the following: (a) Within 5 days after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished (compliance with AD 98-13-10), accomplish the following: (1) Fabricate a placard that specifies immediately inspecting all engine exhaust muffler end plates when the engine backfires upon start-up, and install this placard on the instrument panel within the pilot's clear view. The placard should utilize letters of at least 0.10-inch in height and contain the following words: "If the engine backfires upon start-up, prior to further flight, inspect and replace (as necessary) all engine exhaust muffler end plates." (2) Insert a copy of this AD into the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM). (b) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished (compliance with AD 98-13-10), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS after each inspection (including any inspection accomplished after an engine backfire) until the replacements required by paragraphs (b)(1) and (d) of this AD are accomplished, inspect all engine exhaust muffler end plates (four total) for cracks on the forward (upstream) or aft (downstream) end of each muffler can. (1) Prior to further flight, replace any engine exhaust muffler where an end plate is found cracked with one of improved design, part number (P/N) 1254017-19 or P/N 9954200-9 (or FAA-approved equivalent part number). Accomplish these replacements in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SB98-78-03, dated December 14, 1998. (2) This replacement terminates the repetitive inspection required by this AD for that particular engine exhaust muffler. The repetitive inspections would still be required for any other engine exhaust muffler not replaced with the improved design parts. (3) The placard requirements of this AD are still required until all engine exhaust system mufflers are replaced with the improved design parts. NOTE 2: Cessna Service Bulletin SB98-78-02, Issued: June 6, 1998, depicts the area to be inspected. The actions of this service bulletin are different from those required by this AD. This AD takes precedence over the actions specified in this service bulletin. Accomplishment of Cessna Service Bulletin SB98-78-02, Issued: June 6, 1998, is not considered an alternative method of compliance to the actions of this AD. (c) Fabricating and installing the placard and inserting this AD into the Limitations Section of the AFM, as required by paragraph (a) of this AD, may be performed by 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), and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9). (d) Within 12 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, replace the engine exhaust mufflers with ones of improved design, part number (P/N) 1254017-19 or P/N 9954200-9 (or FAA-approved equivalent part number). Accomplish these replacements in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SB98-78-03, dated December 14, 1998. (1) These replacements terminate the repetitive inspection and placard requirements of this AD, as specified in paragraphs (a) and (b), including all subparagraphs, of this AD. (2) The replacements may be accomplished prior to 12 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, as terminating action for the repetitive inspection and placard requirements of this AD. (e) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on any affected airplane, an engine exhaust muffler that is not of improved design, P/N 1254017-19 or P/N 9954200-9 (or FAA-approved equivalent part number). (f) 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. (g) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the initial or repetitive compliance times 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. (1) The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO. (2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance with AD 98-13-10 are not considered approved as alternative methods of compliance for this AD. NOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Wichita ACO. (h) The replacements required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Cessna Service Bulletin SB98-78-03, dated December 14, 1998. 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, Product Support, P.O. Box 7706, Wichita, Kansas 67277. Copies may be inspected 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. (i) This amendment supersedes AD 98-13-10, Amendment 39-10598. (j) This amendment becomes effective on March 17, 2000.