[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 225 (Monday, November 23, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64606-64608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31011]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-20-AD; Amendment 39-10897; AD 98-24-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models 
M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, and M20R 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Models M20B, 
M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, and M20R 
airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the aileron control links for 
the installation of a reinforcing gusset; and, if no gusset is 
installed, repetitively inspecting the aileron control links (left-hand 
and right-hand) for cracks. If cracks are found, this AD requires 
replacing the aileron control links with parts of improved design. This 
AD is the result of service difficulty reports (SDR's) on the aileron 
control links and reported failures of the aileron control links. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct cracked 
aileron control links, which could result in loss of aileron control 
with consequent loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective December 28, 1998.

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 28, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from the Mooney Aircraft Corporation, Louis Schreiner Field, Kerrville, 
Texas 78028. This information may also be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-20-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

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:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Mooney Models 
M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, and M20R 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on July 22, 1998 (63 FR 39254). The NPRM proposed to 
require inspecting the aileron control links for the installation of a 
reinforcing gusset; and, if a gusset is not installed, repetitively 
inspecting the aileron control links (left-hand and right-hand) for 
cracks using a magnetic particle method. If a crack is found, the NPRM 
proposed to require replacing the aileron control links with parts of 
improved design. Replacing the aileron control links would be 
considered a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
required in accordance with Mooney Engineering Design Service Bulletin 
No. M20-264, dated February 1, 1998.
    The NPRM was the result of service difficulty reports (SDR's) on 
the aileron control links and reported failures of the aileron control 
links.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the one comment received.

Comment Disposition

    The commenter requests that the FAA reference Lake Aero Styling & 
Repair aileron control links. Lake Aero Styling & Repair holds a parts 
manufacturer approval (PMA) for parts that are equivalent to the 
improved design Mooney aileron control links.
    The FAA does not concur. FAA policy is to not reference PMA parts 
in AD's, unless the FAA determines that the unsafe condition applies to 
the PMA parts. However, the FAA generally includes a statement of ``or 
FAA-approved equivalent part number(s)''

[[Page 64607]]

after the referenced part number to account for PMA equivalent parts. 
The FAA inadvertently left this phrase out of the NPRM, and will add it 
to the final rule accordingly. If these Lake Aero Styling & Repair PMA 
parts are installed, then the actions of this AD would not apply 
because the parts are an FAA-approved equivalent to the improved design 
Mooney aileron control links.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 7,500 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by the initial inspections, that it will take approximately 2 
workhours per airplane to accomplish the initial inspections, and that 
the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the initial inspections specified in 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $900,000, or $120 per 
airplane.
    The above figures do not take into account the cost of repetitive 
inspections or aileron control link replacements. The FAA has no way of 
determining the number of repetitive inspections each owner/operator of 
the affected airplanes will incur or the number of aileron control 
links that will be found cracked during the required inspections and 
need replacement.

Regulatory Impact

    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.
    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) 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 final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained 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, 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:

98-24-11  Mooney Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-10897; Docket 
No. 98-CE-20-AD.
    Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.

Models and Serial Numbers

M20B  all serial numbers
M20C  all serial numbers
M20D  all serial numbers
M20E  all serial numbers
M20F  all serial numbers
M20G  all serial numbers
M20L  all serial numbers
M20J  24-0001 through 24-3359
M20K  25-0001 through 25-1999
20M  27-0001 through 27-0197
M20R  29-0001 through 29-0042

    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 (f) 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 cracked aileron control links, which could 
result in loss of aileron control and loss of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, visually inspect the aileron control 
links (left-hand and right-hand) at the second 90-degree angle joint 
from the Heim bearing for the installation of a reinforcement 
gusset. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with the 
Instructions section of Mooney Engineering Design Service Bulletin 
(SB) No. M20-264, Issue Date: February 1, 1998.
    (b) If a reinforcement gusset is installed, this AD requires no 
further action.
    (c) If a reinforcement gusset is not installed, prior to further 
flight after the inspection required in paragraph (a) of this AD, 
and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, inspect, 
using magnetic particle methods, the aileron control links for 
cracks. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with the 
Instructions section of Mooney Engineering Design SB No. M20-264, 
Issue Date: February 1, 1998.
    (1) If cracks are found, prior to further flight, replace the 
cracked aileron control link with an aileron control link of 
improved design (part numbers as specified in the referenced service 
information or FAA-approved equivalent numbers). Accomplish this 
replacement in accordance with the Instructions section of Mooney 
Engineering Design SB No. M20-264, Issue Date: February 1, 1998.
    (2) Replacing both aileron control links with aileron control 
links of improved design (part numbers as specified in the 
referenced service information or FAA-approved equivalent numbers) 
may be accomplished at any time as terminating action for the 
repetitive inspection requirement of this AD, but must be 
accomplished prior to further flight on any aileron control link 
found cracked.
    (3) If one aileron control link is replaced prior to further 
flight when a crack is found, the other aileron control link must 
still be repetitively inspected every 100 hours TIS until 
replacement with an improved design part.
    (d) Replacing the aileron control links in accordance with 
Mooney Engineering Design SB No. M20-264, Issue Date: February 1, 
1998, is considered terminating action for the repetitive inspection 
requirement of this AD.
    (e) 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.
    (f) 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, 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.


[[Page 64608]]


    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Fort Worth Aircraft Certification Office.

    (g) The inspections and replacements required by this AD shall 
be done in accordance with Mooney Engineering Design Service 
Bulletin No. M20-264, Issue Date: February 1, 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 Mooney Aircraft Corporation, 
Louis Schreiner Field, Kerrville, Texas 78028. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, 
suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on December 28, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 12, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-31011 Filed 11-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P