[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 18, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34615-34618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13180]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0313; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-095-AD; 
Amendment 39-15560; AD 2008-12-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 series airplanes. This AD requires you 
to inspect electrical wires/components, hydraulic and bleed air tube 
assemblies at left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) inboard wing leading 
edge/battery box areas, LH/RH wing stations 51.167 to 81.174, and at 
all feed-through locations into the LH/RH inboard keelson. If chafing/
arcing is found, this AD requires you to reposition, repair, and/or 
replace all chafed electrical wires, components, and hydraulic and 
bleed air tube assemblies, as required. This AD also requires you to 
reposition the battery lead cables, cover four-gauge wires leaving the 
battery box with firesleeving and secure with clamps, and protect the 
battery power cable. This AD results from five reports of chafing 
between the bleed air tube and the electrical starter cables with one 
incident resulting in a fire. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct chafing/arcing of electrical wires, components, and bleed air 
lines. This condition could result in arcing of the exposed wires and 
burn a hole in the bleed air line or the nearby hydraulic line, and 
lead to a possible hydraulic fluid leak and fire in the engine nacelle 
compartment.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on July 23, 2008.
    On July 23, 2008, the Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact M7 
Aerospace Repair Station, P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 78279-
0490; telephone: (210) 824-9421; fax: (210) 804-7789.
    To view the AD docket, go to U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov. The docket number is FAA-2008-0313; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-095-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Werner Koch, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 
76137; telephone: (817) 222-5133; fax: (817) 222-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On March 7, 2008, we issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that 
would apply to certain M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 series 
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 14, 2008 (73 FR 13806). 
The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect electrical wires/
components, hydraulic and bleed air tube assemblies at LH and RH 
inboard wing leading edge/battery box areas, LH/RH wing stations 51.167 
to 81.174, and at all feed-through locations into the LH/RH inboard 
keelson. If chafing/arcing is found, this proposed AD would require you 
to reposition, repair, and/or replace all chafed electrical wires, 
components, and hydraulic and bleed air tube assemblies, as required. 
This proposed AD would also require you to reposition the battery lead 
cables, cover four-gauge wires leaving the battery box with 
firesleeving and secure with clamps, and protect the battery power 
cable.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed 
except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these 
minor corrections:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 330 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs for all Models SA226, SA227, SA227-
CC, and SA227-DC airplanes to do the inspection following SA226 Series 
Service Bulletin No. 226-24-036, SA227 Series Service Bulletin No. 227-
24-019, or SA227 Series Commuter Category Service Bulletin No. CC7-24-
010:

[[Page 34616]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Total cost per   Total cost on
                  Labor cost                              Parts cost                airplane      U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 work-hours x $80 per hour = $320...........  Not Applicable.................            $320         $105,600
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs for certain Models SA226-AT, SA226-
T, and SA226-TC airplanes for the repositioning of battery lead cables 
following SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. SB 24-001:

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Total cost per       Number of  airplanes     Total cost on
      Labor cost              Parts cost               airplane                affected          U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 work-hours x $80 per               $6.80                 $326.80                       2       $653.60
        hour = $320
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs for certain Models SA226-AT, SA226-
T, SA226-TC, SA227-AC, and SA227-AT airplanes following SA226 Series 
Service Bulletin No. SB24-019 or SA227 Series Service Bulletin No. 
SB24-001, for the covering of four-gauge wires leaving battery box with 
firesleeving and securing with clamp:

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Total cost per       Number of  airplanes     Total cost on
      Labor cost              Parts cost               airplane                affected          U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 work-hours x $80                  $6.80               $1,046.80                      70       $73,276
  per hour = $1,040
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs for certain Models SA226-AT, SA226-
TC, SA227-AC, and SA227-AT airplanes following SA226 Series Service 
Bulletin No. SB24-020 or SA227 Series Service Bulletin No. SB24-002, 
for the protection of the battery power cable:

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Total cost per       Number of  airplanes     Total cost on
      Labor cost              Parts cost               airplane                affected          U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 work-hours x $80                 $3,000                  $7,000                      60      $420,000
  per hour = $4,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a 
substantial direct effect 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD (and 
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and placed 
it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a 
request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket 
No. FAA-2008-0313; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-095-AD'' in your 
request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under 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

0
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]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2008-12-16-M7 Aerospace LP: Amendment 39-15560; Docket No. FAA-2008-
0313; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-095-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on July 23, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial 
numbers (S/N) that are certificated in any category:

[[Page 34617]]

    (1) Group 1: Model SA226-AT Airplanes, All S/N.
    (2) Group 2: Model SA226-T Airplanes, All S/N.
    (3) Group 3: Model SA226-TC Airplanes, All S/N.
    (4) Group 4: Model SA227-AC Airplanes, All S/N.
    (5) Group 5: Model SA227-AT Airplanes, All S/N.
    (6) Group 6: Model SA227-CC Airplanes, All S/N.
    (7) Group 7: Model SA227-DC Airplanes, All S/N.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from five reports of chafing between the 
bleed air tube and the electrical starter cables with one incident 
resulting in a fire. We are adopting this AD to detect and correct 
chafing/arcing of electrical wires, components, and bleed air lines. 
This condition could result in arcing of the exposed wires and burn 
a hole in the bleed air line or the nearby hydraulic line, and lead 
to a possible hydraulic fluid leak and fire in the engine nacelle 
compartment.

Compliance

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless 
already done:

              Table 1.--Actions, Compliance, and Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) For Group 1, Group 2,     Within 250 hours      Follow M7 Aerospace
 and Group 3 Airplanes:        time-in-service       SA226 Series
(i) Inspect electrical wires/  (TIS) after July      Service Bulletin
 components, hydraulic and     23, 2008 (the         No. 226-24-036,
 bleed air tube assemblies     effective date of     issued: September
 at left-hand (LH)/right-      this AD).             19, 2007;
 hand (RH) inboard wing        Repetitively          Swearingen Aviation
 leading edge/battery box      thereafter inspect    Corporation SA226
 areas, LH/RH wing stations    (paragraph            Series Service
 51.167 to 81.174, and at      (e)(1)(i) of this     Bulletin No. SB 24-
 all feed-through locations    AD) at intervals      001, issued: May
 into the LH/RH inboard        not to exceed 12      18, 1971; revised:
 keelson for any evidence of   months.               September 16, 1975;
 chafing/arcing. Clear,                              Fairchild Aircraft
 repair, and/or replace all                          Corporation SA226
 chafed electrical wires and                         Series Service
 components, hydraulic, and                          Bulletin No. SB 24-
 bleed air tube assemblies,                          019, issued: June
 and all feed-through                                2, 1982; revised:
 locations, as required.                             May 17, 1983; and
(ii) Reposition battery lead                         Fairchild Aircraft
 cables, protect the battery                         Corporation SA226
 power cable, and cover four-                        Series Service
 gauge wires leaving battery                         Bulletin No. SB 24-
 box with firesleeving and                           020, issued:
 secure with clamp.                                  January 18, 1983;
                                                     revised: February
                                                     15, 1984.
(2) For Group 4 and Group 5   Within 250 hours TIS  Follow M7 Aerospace
 Airplanes:                    after July 23, 2008   SA227 Series
(i) Inspect electrical wires/  (the effective date   Service Bulletin
 components, hydraulic and     of this AD).          No. 227-24-019,
 bleed air tube assemblies     Repetitively          issued: September
 at LH/RH inboard wing         thereafter inspect    19, 2007; Fairchild
 leading edge/battery box      (paragraph            Aircraft
 areas, LH/RH wing stations    (e)(2)(i) of this     Corporation SA227
 51.167 to 81.174, and at      AD) at intervals      Series Service
 all feed-through locations    not to exceed 12      Bulletin No. SB24-
 into the LH/RH inboard        months.               001, issued: June
 keelson for any evidence of                         2, 1982; revised:
 chafing/arcing. Clear,                              May 17, 1983; and
 repair, and/or replace all                          Fairchild Aircraft
 chafed electrical wires and                         Corporation SA227
 components, hydraulic, and                          Series Service
 bleed air tube assemblies,                          Bulletin No. SB24-
 and all feed-through                                002, issued:
 locations, as required.                             January 18, 1983;
(ii) Protect the battery                             revised: February
 power cable and cover four-                         15, 1984.
 gauge wires leaving battery
 box with firesleeving and
 secure with clamp.
(3) For Group 6 and Group 7   Within 250 hours TIS  Follow M7 Aerospace
 Airplanes: Inspect            after July 23, 2008   SA227 Series
 electrical wires/             (the effective date   Commuter Category
 components, hydraulic and     of this AD).          Service Bulletin
 bleed air tube assemblies     Repetitively          No. CC7-24-010,
 at LH/RH inboard wing         thereafter inspect    issued: September
 leading edge/battery box      at intervals not to   19, 2007.
 areas, LH/RH wing stations    exceed 12 months.
 51.167 to 81.174, and at
 all feed-through locations
 into the LH/RH inboard
 keelson for any evidence of
 chafing/arcing. Clear,
 repair, and/or replace all
 chafed electrical wires and
 components, hydraulic, and
 bleed air tube assemblies,
 and all feed-through
 locations, as required.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note: Although not a requirement of this AD, you may incorporate 
Swearingen Aviation Corporation SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. 
57-010, Revised: December 5, 1975, on those airplanes that have not 
installed the access panel. Installation of the access panel will 
simplify the incorporation of the service bulletins referenced in 
this AD and future inspections of the areas of concern.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: 
Werner Koch, Aerospace Engineer, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5133; fax: (817) 222-5960. Before 
using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, 
notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight 
Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (g) You must use the service information specified in TABLE 2--
Material Incorporated by Reference of this AD to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

[[Page 34618]]

    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact M7 
Aerospace Repair Station, P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 78279-
0490; telephone: (210) 824-9421; fax: (210) 804-7789.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at 
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

              Table 2.--Material Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Service Bulletin No.                         Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) M7 Aerospace SA226 Series Service     Issued: September 19, 2007.
 Bulletin No. 226-24-036.
(ii) Swearingen Aviation Corporation      Issued: May 18, 1971, Revised:
 SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. SB 24-  September 16, 1975.
 001.
(iii) Fairchild Aircraft Corporation      Issued: June 2, 1982, Revised:
 SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. SB 24-  May 17, 1983.
 019.
(iv) Fairchild Aircraft Corporation       Issued: January 18, 1983,
 SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. SB 24-  Revised: February 15, 1984.
 020.
(v) M7 Aerospace SA227 Series Service     Issued: September 19, 2007.
 Bulletin No. 227-24-019.
(vi) Fairchild Aircraft Corporation       Issued: June 2, 1982, Revised:
 SA227 Series Service Bulletin No. SB24-   May 17, 1983.
 001.
(vii) Fairchild Aircraft Corporation      Issued: January 18, 1983,
 SA227 Series Service Bulletin No. SB24-   Revised: February 15, 1984.
 002.
(viii) M7 Aerospace SA227 Series          Issued: September 19, 2007.
 Commuter Category Service Bulletin No.
 CC7-24-010.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 4, 2008.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-13180 Filed 6-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P