[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 116 (Wednesday, June 17, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33016-33017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16025]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-47-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models
M20J, M20K, M20M, and M20R Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney)
Models M20J, M20K, M20M, and M20R airplanes. The proposed AD would
require grinding the surface of the main landing gear (MLG) leg
bracket, inspecting this area for cracks, and replacing any cracked MLG
leg bracket. The proposed AD is the result of the manufacturing of
several of the MLG leg brackets using laser pattern cutting. The
brackets, when manufactured using this process, develop minor cracks at
the bends, which could propagate over time. The actions specified by
the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the MLG side brace
bolt caused by cracking of the MLG leg bracket, which could result in
MLG collapse with consequent loss of control of the airplane during
taxi, takeoff, or landing operations.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 21, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-47-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from Mooney Aircraft Corporation, Louis Schreiner Field, Kerrville,
Texas 78028. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket
at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bob D. May, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth,
Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5156; facsimile: (817) 222-5960.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 proposal 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. 98-CE-47-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 98-CE-47-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report that the design service life of the
part number (P/N) 510010 MLG leg bracket on certain Mooney Models M20J,
M20K, M20M, and M20R airplanes may not be achieved. Eleven of these
brackets were produced using a laser pattern cutting process. The
brackets, when manufactured using this process, develop minor cracks at
the bends, which could propagate over time.
The P/N 510010 bracket supports the MLG side brace bolt. Failure of
the MLG side brace bolt would cause the MLG to collapse with consequent
loss of control of the airplane during taxi, takeoff, or landing
operations.
Relevant Service Information
Mooney has issued Service Bulletin M20-265, dated 1April 13, 1998,
which specifies procedures for grinding the surface of the MLG leg
bracket, P/N 510010, and inspecting this area for cracks.
The FAA's Determination
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available
information related to the incidents described above, including the
referenced service information, the FAA has determined that AD action
should be taken to prevent failure of the MLG side brace bolt caused by
cracking of the MLG leg
[[Page 33017]]
bracket. This could result in MLG collapse with consequent loss of
control of the airplane during taxi, takeoff, or landing operations.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Mooney Models M20J, M20K, M20M, and M20R
airplanes of the same type design, the FAA is proposing AD action. The
proposed AD would require grinding the surface of the MLG leg bracket,
P/N 510010; inspecting this area for cracks; and replacing any cracked
MLG leg bracket.
Accomplishment of the surface grinding and inspection would be
required in accordance with Mooney Service Bulletin M20-265, dated
April 13, 1998.
Replacement of any cracked MLG leg bracket, if required, would be
accomplished in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 11 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 8
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $5,280, or $480 per airplane. These figures are based
on the presumption that no affected airplane owner/operator has
accomplished the proposed actions. These figures do not account for the
cost of any necessary replacement if any MLG leg bracket is found
cracked. The FAA has no way of determining how many MLG leg brackets
may be found cracked during the proposed inspection.
Mooney will provide warranty credit for up to 8 workhours that are
necessary to comply with the requirements of the proposed AD. Details
are provided in Mooney Service Bulletin M20-265, dated April 13, 1998.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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) if promulgated,
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. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation
prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of
it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location
provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
Mooney Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. 98-CE-47-AD.
Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers,
certificated in any category:
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Models Serial Numbers
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M20J 24-3415 and 24-3416.
M20K 25-2018 through 25-2021.
M20M 27-0241.
M20R 29-0135 through 29-0138.
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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 (d) 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 prevent failure of the main landing gear (MLG) side brace
bolt caused by cracking of the MLG leg bracket, which could result
in MLG collapse with consequent loss of control of the airplane
during taxi, takeoff, or landing operations, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the
effective date of this AD, accomplish the following in accordance
with the INSTRUCTIONS section of Mooney Service Bulletin M20-265,
dated April 13, 1998:
(1) Grind the surface of the MLG leg bracket, part number (P/N)
510010.
(2) Inspect the area of the P/N 510010 MLG leg bracket for
cracks.
(b) Prior to further flight after the inspection required by
paragraph (a)(2) of this AD, replace any cracked P/N 510010 MLG leg
bracket with a new P/N 510010 MLG leg bracket. Accomplish this
replacement in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.
(c) 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.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office
(ACO), 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Fort Worth ACO.
(e) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of
the document referred to herein upon request to Mooney Aircraft
Corporation, Louis Schreiner Field, Kerrville, Texas 78028; or may
examine this document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 10, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-16025 Filed 6-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U