[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 78 (Monday, April 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17562-17564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9357]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-CE-102-AD; Amendment 39-9575; AD 95-26-16 R1]
Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Model M20J
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-26-16 R1, which was sent
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of certain Mooney
Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Model M20J airplanes. This AD requires
repetitively inspecting the alternate air door assembly to ensure a
cotter pin exists and is secure, and replacing the cotter pin if it
does not exist or is not secure. It also provides the option of
incorporating an alternate air door plate assembly of improved design
as terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Priority letter
AD 95-26-16 R1 was prompted by a fatal accident involving one of the
affected airplanes where the alternate air door became lodged in the
air intake of the fuel injector causing engine failure. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent the alternate air door
from separating from the airplane and restricting air flow to the
engine.
DATES: Effective May 16, 1996, to all persons except those to whom it
was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 95-26-16 R1,
issued January 5, 1996, which contained the requirements of this
amendment.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 16, 1996.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before June 17, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-102-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Service information related to this AD may be obtained from the
Mooney Aircraft Corporation, Box 72, Kerrville, Texas 78028; or may be
examined at the Rules Docket at the address above, or at the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., 7th Floor, suite
700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alma Ramirez-Hodge, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Fort Worth ACO, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth,
Texas 76193-0150; telephone (817) 222-5147; facsimile (817) 222-5960.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 22, 1995, the FAA issued
priority letter AD 95-26-16 to require repetitively inspecting the
alternate air door assembly to ensure a cotter pin exists and is secure
on certain Mooney Model M20J airplanes, and replacing the cotter pin
with a part number MS 24665-132 if it does not exist or is not secure.
A fatal accident involving a Mooney Model M20J airplane with reported
engine failure in flight at 6,000 feet prompted the FAA to issue
priority letter AD 95-26-16.
After the reported engine failure, the pilot attempted to vector
the airplane to the nearest airport and crashed into a wooded lot.
Investigation of the accident revealed that the alternate air door bolt
separated from its fastener, which allowed the alternate air door to
lodge in the air intake of the fuel injector, resulting in restricted
air flow to the engine.
An FAA review of service history on Mooney Model M20J airplanes
revealed four other incidents involving the alternate air door
separating and becoming lodged in the intake of the fuel injector.
These include two reports of rough engine operation while in flight
with emergency landing, an aborted take-off because of engine power
loss, and a service difficulty report found during a 100-hour time-in-
service (TIS) inspection.
After the issuance of priority letter AD 95-26-16, Mooney developed
an alternate air door plate assembly of improved design that, when
incorporated on Mooney Model M20J airplanes, prevents the alternate air
door assembly from separating from the airplane and restricting air
flow to the engine. Mooney Service Bulletin (SB) M20-250B and SB M20-
253A, both dated December 1995, specify procedures for modifying the
alternate air door assembly on Mooney Model M20J airplanes. This
modification consists of incorporating the following parts of improved
design:
--Plate assembly, part number (P/N) 600355-507;
--Four rivets, P/N MS20426AD3;
--A cotter pin, P/N MS24665-132;
--A self-locking castellated nut, P/N MS17825-4; and
--A washer, P/N AN960-416.
[[Page 17563]]
After examining all information related to the subject accident and
incidents, including the referenced service information, the FAA
determined that (1) priority letter AD 95-26-16 should allow the option
of incorporating an alternate air door plate assembly of improved
design as terminating action for the repetitive inspections; and (2) AD
action should be taken to prevent the alternate air door on certain
Mooney Model M20J airplanes from separating and restricting air flow to
the engine.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Mooney Model M20J airplanes of the same type
design, the FAA revised priority letter AD 95-26-16 to provide the
option of incorporating the above-referenced modification as
terminating action for the requirement of repetitively inspecting the
alternate air door assembly.
Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required,
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause
existed to make priority letter AD 95-26-16 R1 effective immediately by
individual letters issued on January 5, 1996, to all known U.S.
operators of certain Mooney Model M20J airplanes. These conditions
still exist, and the AD is hereby 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 as to all persons.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not
preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications
received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered,
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 95-CE-102-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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.
The 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. It has been determined further that this
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may
be obtained from 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
95-26-16 R1 Mooney Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-9575; Docket
No. 95-CE-102-AD. Revises priority letter AD 95-26-16, issued
December 22, 1995.
Applicability: Model M20J airplanes (serial numbers 24-0001
through 24-3250 and 24-3252 through 24-3374), 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 (e) 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 prior to further flight after the effective
date of this AD, except to those operators receiving this action by
priority letter issued January 5, 1996, which made these actions
effective immediately upon receipt.
To prevent the alternate air door from separating and
restricting air flow to the engine, accomplish the following:
Note 2: The paragraph structure of this AD is as follows:
Level 1: (a), (b), (c), etc.
Level 2: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Level 3: (i), (ii), (iii), etc.
Level 2 and Level 3 structures are designations of the Level 1
paragraph they immediately follow.
(a) Inspect the alternate air door assembly in accordance with
the procedures contained in the Appendix to this AD to ensure that
the cotter pin exists and is secure. If the cotter pin exists and is
secure, reinspect the alternate air door assembly in accordance with
the procedures contained in the Appendix to this AD at intervals not
to exceed 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) until the modification
specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this AD is accomplished.
(b) If, during any of the inspections required by this AD, the
cotter pin is found missing or is not secure, prior to further
flight, accomplish one of the following:
(1) Replace the cotter pin with a part number MS 24665-132
cotter pin, and reinspect the alternate air door assembly at
intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS; or
(2) Modify the alternate air door assembly. Accomplish these
actions in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS section of Mooney
Service Bulletin (SB) M20-250B or SB M20-253A, both dated December
1995, as applicable. This modification consists of incorporating the
following parts of improved design:
(i) plate assembly, part number (P/N) 600355-507;
[[Page 17564]]
(ii) four rivets, P/N MS20426AD3;
(iii) a cotter pin, P/N MS24665-132;
(iv) a self-locking castellated nut, P/N MS17825-4; and
(v) a washer, P/N AN960-416.
Note 3: If the alternate air door assembly has been modified in
accordance with Mooney SB M20-250A or SB M20-253, both dated May 10,
1992, then the only parts required to be incorporated are the
following:
--A cotter pin, P/N MS24665-132;
--A self-locking castellated nut, P/N MS17825-4; and
--A washer, P/N AN960-416.
(c) Incorporating the modification specified in paragraph (b)(2)
of this AD eliminates the requirement for the repetitive inspection
requirement of this AD and may be incorporated at any time.
(d) 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.
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Airplane Certification Office (ACO), FAA,
2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150. The request
shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Fort Worth
ACO.
Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Fort Worth ACO.
(f) The modification required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Mooney Service Bulletin M20- 250B or Mooney Service
Bulletin M20-253A, both dated December 1995, as applicable. 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 Mooney Aircraft Corporation, Box
72, Kerrville, Texas 78028. Copies may be inspected at the FAA,
Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558,
601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 7th Floor, suite
700, Washington, DC.
(g) This AD (95-26-16 R1) revises priority letter AD 95-26-16.
(h) This amendment (39-9575) becomes effective on May 16, 1996,
to all persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately
effective by priority letter AD 95-26-16 R1, issued January 5, 1996,
which contained the requirements of this amendment.
Appendix to AD 95-26-16 R1
I. INSPECTION PROCEDURES FOR AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO RETROFIT ACTION
OF SERVICE BULLETINS M20-250, ORIGINAL ISSUE; M20-250, REVISION A;
OR M20-253, ORIGINAL ISSUE.
1. Remove top cowling from aircraft per M20J Service and
Maintenance manual, reference Section 71-11-00.
2. Remove the induction air filter from upper induction housing.
3. Use mirror and flashlight to inspect cotter pin security
through threaded portion of bolt of the alternate air door.
4. Check security and condition of seal to alternate air door
assembly, and replace the seal if cracked.
5. If cotter pin is in place and secure, replace cowling per
Section 71-11-00 of Service and Maintenance manual.
6. If cotter pin is missing or not secure, replace with a part
number MS 24665-132 cotter pin.
II. INSPECTION PROCEDURES FOR AIRCRAFT AFTER RETROFIT ACTION OF
SERVICE BULLETINS M20-250, REVISION A; OR M20-253, ORIGINAL ISSUE.
1. Remove top cowling from aircraft per M20J Service and
Maintenance manual, reference Section 71-11-00.
2. Looking up from bottom of engine compartment, use mirror and
flashlight to inspect cotter pin security through castellated nut
and threaded portion of bolt of the alternate air door spring-loaded
assembly.
3. Check security and condition of seal to alternate air door
assembly, and replace the seal if cracked.
4. If cotter pin is in place and secure, replace cowling per
Section 71-11-00 of Service and Maintenance manual.
5. If cotter pin is missing or is not secure, replace with a
part number MS 24665-132 cotter pin.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 10, 1996.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-9357 Filed 4-19-96; 8:45 am]
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