[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 196 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54401-54403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27196]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-64-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models 
M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, and M20J 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 all Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) 
Models M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, and M20J airplanes that are 
equipped with an O & N Bladder Fuel Cell that was installed prior to 
February 1, 1998, in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate 
(STC) SA2277CE or STC SA2350CE. The STC's apply to all of the affected 
airplane models except for the Model M20B airplanes; the Model M20B 
airplanes could have one of the STC's incorporated by field approval. 
The proposed AD would require inspecting the drain valve to assure that 
it was inserted fully into the drain nipple and modifying any drain 
valve found not to be inserted fully into the drain nipple. The 
proposed AD would also require certain modifications and replacements 
on the affected fuel cells to reduce the chances of water/ice 
contamination. The proposed AD is the result of reports of rain water 
entering the fuel bladders and the information from the subsequent 
evaluation of the fuel systems. The actions specified by the proposed 
AD are intended to assist in preventing water from entering the fuel 
bladders, which could result in rough engine operation or complete loss 
of engine power.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 4, 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-64-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 O & N Aircraft Modifications Inc., 210 Windsock Lane, Seamans 
Airport, Factoryville, PA 18419; telephone: (717) 945-3769; facsimile: 
(717) 945-7282. This information also may be examined at the Rules 
Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul O. Pendleton, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport 
Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4143; 
facsimile: (316) 946-4407.

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-64-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-64-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report of water being trapped in the fuel 
bladders on Mooney Models M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, and M20J 
airplanes that are equipped with an O & N Bladder Fuel Cell that was 
installed prior to February 1, 1998, in accordance with Supplemental 
Type Certificate (STC) SA2277CE or STC SA2350CE. The STC's apply to all 
of the above-referenced airplane models except for the Mooney Model 
M20B airplanes; the Model M20B airplanes could have one of the STC's 
incorporated by field approval.
    Evaluation of this problem shows that improper installation of the 
fuel bladder drains and fuel caps could allow rain water to enter the 
fuel bladders if the fuel cap was defective.
    The evaluation also revealed additional installation problems and 
design deficiencies, including:

--Inadequate installation of the foam filler that supports the fuel 
bladders;

[[Page 54402]]

--Inadequate engine crankcase breather vent and primary fuel vent ice 
protection; and
--Fuel caps that have the sealing surface below the fuel tank opening.

    These conditions, if not corrected in a timely manner, could result 
in rough engine operation or complete loss of engine power.

Relevant Service Information

    O & N Aircraft Modifications Inc. has issued Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. ON-100, dated February 1, 1998, which specifies procedures 
for the following:

--Inspecting the drain valve to assure that it was inserted fully into 
the drain nipple and modifying any drain valve found not to be inserted 
fully into the drain nipple;
--Installing a foam wedge to reduce the amount of trapped fluids in the 
center fuel cell;
--Installing an anti-ice mast forward of the vent tubes to prevent 
icing of the fuel tank vents;
--Drilling a vent hole to prevent icing of the engine's crankcase 
breathers; and
--Replacing the flush style caps and adapters with raised style caps 
and adapters to prevent water from entering through the flush filler 
cap.

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 assist in preventing water from entering the fuel 
bladders, which could result in rough engine operation or complete loss 
of engine power.

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 M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, 
M20G, and M20J airplanes of the same type design that are equipped with 
an O & N Bladder Fuel Cell that was installed prior to February 1, 
1998, in accordance with STC SA2277CE or STC SA2350CE, the FAA is 
proposing AD action. The STC's apply to all of the affected airplane 
models except for the Model M20B airplanes; the Model M20B airplanes 
could have one of the STC's incorporated by field approval. The 
proposed AD would require inspecting the drain valve to assure that it 
was inserted fully into the drain nipple and modifying any drain valve 
found not to be inserted fully into the drain nipple. The proposed AD 
also would require the design changes specified in O & N Aircraft 
Modifications Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. ON-100, dated 
February 1, 1998.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 300 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 action, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$204,000, or $680 per airplane.
    The FAA is not aware of any owners/operators of the affected 
airplanes that have already accomplished the actions specified in this 
proposed AD.

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-64-AD.

    Applicability: All serial number airplanes of the following:
    1. Models M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, and M20J airplanes, 
certificated in any category, that are equipped with an O & N 
Bladder Fuel Cell that was installed prior to February 1, 1998, in 
accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2277CE or STC 
SA2350CE; and
    2. Model M20B airplanes, certificated in any category, that have 
any of the above-referenced STC's incorporated by field approval.

    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 (c) 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 assist in preventing water from entering the fuel bladders, 
which could result in rough engine operation or complete loss of 
engine power, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 12 months after the effective date of this 
AD, accomplish the following in accordance with O & N Aircraft 
Modifications Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. ON-100, dated 
February 1, 1998:
    (1) On both the left and right wing, inspect the drain valve to 
assure that it was inserted fully into the drain nipple, and, prior 
to further flight, modify any drain valve found not to be inserted 
fully into the drain nipple;
    (2) On both the left and right wing, install a foam wedge to 
reduce the amount of trapped fluids in the center fuel cell;
    (3) On both the left and right wing, install an anti-ice mast 
forward of the vent tubes to prevent icing of the fuel tank vents;
    (4) Drill a vent hole to prevent icing of the engine's crankcase 
breathers; and
    (5) On both the left and right wing, replace the flush style 
caps and adapters with raised style caps and adapters.
    (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the

[[Page 54403]]

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.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209. The 
request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Wichita ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Wichita ACO.

    (d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
the document referred to herein upon request to O & N Aircraft 
Modifications Inc., 210 Windsock Lane, Seamans Airport, 
Factoryville, PA 18419; 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 October 5, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27196 Filed 10-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U