[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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