[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 19, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48314-48317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19168]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0892; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-049-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Models 
M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, and M-8 Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Models M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, and 
M-8 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to paint the 
top of the rear elevator control horn, the elevator control cable end 
attached to the top of the rear control horn, the bottom of the forward 
elevator control horn, and the elevator control cable end attached to 
the bottom of the forward control. This proposed AD would also require 
you to insert a supplement into your maintenance program (maintenance 
manual). This proposed AD results from two reports of accidents where 
reversed elevator control rigging was a factor. We are proposing this 
AD to reduce the likelihood of a mechanic rigging the elevator controls 
backwards, which could result in elevator movement in the opposite 
direction from control input. This condition could lead to loss of 
control.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 20, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.

[[Page 48315]]

     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc., 2099 Georgia Highway 133 South, 
Moultrie, Georgia 31788; telephone: (229) 985-2045; fax: (229) 985-
2048; Internet: http://www.mauleairinc.com.

For Further Information, Contact One of the Following: 

--Cindy Lorenzen, Aerospace Engineer, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix 
Blvd., Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6078; 
fax: (770) 703-6097; e-mail: [email protected]; or
--Gerald Avella, Aerospace Engineer, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix 
Blvd., Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6066; 
fax: (770) 703-6097; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2008-0892; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-049-AD'' at the beginning of 
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We have received two reports of accidents where reversed elevator 
control rigging was a factor. We are proposing this AD to reduce the 
likelihood of a mechanic rigging the elevator controls backwards, which 
could result in elevator movement in the opposite direction from 
control input.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of control.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 30, dated March 4, 2008.
    The service information describes procedures for:
     Painting the top of the rear elevator control horn and the 
elevator control cable end attached to the top of the rear control 
horn;
     Painting the bottom of the forward elevator control horn 
and the elevator control cable end attached to the bottom of the 
forward control; and
     Inserting a supplement in the maintenance program 
(maintenance manual).

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and 
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD 
would require you to paint the top of the rear elevator control horn, 
the elevator control cable end attached to the top of the rear control 
horn, the bottom of the forward elevator control horn, and the elevator 
control cable end attached to the bottom of the forward control. This 
proposed AD would also require you to insert a supplement into your 
maintenance program (maintenance manual).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 1,765 airplanes in 
the U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed modification:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Total cost per   Total cost on
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        airplane      U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $80 per hour = $80.............................             $20             $100         $176,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed 
regulation:
    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket 
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) 
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

[[Page 48316]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2008-0892; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-049-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by October 20, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bee Dee M-4...........................  All serial numbers.
M-4...................................  All serial numbers.
M-4-180C..............................  All serial numbers.
M-4-180V..............................  47001T through 47014T.
M-4-210...............................  All serial numbers.
M-4-210C..............................  All serial numbers.
M-4-210S..............................  All serial numbers.
M-4-220C..............................  All serial numbers.
M-4-220S..............................  All serial numbers.
M-4C..................................  All serial numbers.
M-4S..................................  All serial numbers.
M-4T..................................  All serial numbers.
M-5-180C..............................  All serial numbers.
M-5-200...............................  All serial numbers.
M-5-210C..............................  All serial numbers.
M-5-210TC.............................  All serial numbers.
M-5-220C..............................  All serial numbers.
M-5-235C..............................  All serial numbers.
M-6-180...............................  8020C, 8043C, 8065C through
                                         8067C.
M-6-235...............................  7249C, 7356C, 7379C through
                                         7444C, 7446C through 7450C,
                                         7452C through 7459C, 7461C
                                         through 7466C, 7468C, 7469C,
                                         7471C through 7475C, 7488C
                                         through 7514C, 7516C through
                                         7522C.
M-7-235...............................  4001C through 4132C, 12001C,
                                         12002C.
M-7-235A..............................  24001C.
M-7-235B..............................  23001C through 23105C.
M-7-235C..............................  25001C through 25106C.
M-7-260...............................  26001C through 26021C.
M-7-260C..............................   30001C through 30040C.
M-7-420A..............................   35001C.
M-7-420AC.............................   29001C, 29003C through 29007C.
M-8-235...............................  15001C through 15006C.
MT-7-235..............................  18001C through 18097C, 18099C,
                                         18100C.
MT-7-260..............................  27001C through 27014C.
MT-7-420..............................  51001C, 51002C.
MX-7-160..............................  19001C through 19046C.
MX-7-160C.............................  34001C.
MX-7-180..............................  11001C through 11097C.
MX-7-180A.............................  20001C through 20064C.
MX-7-180AC............................   33001C through 33010C.
MX-7-180B.............................  22001C through 22025C, 22027C.
MX-7-180C.............................  28001C through 28027C.
MX-7-235..............................  10001C through 10122C.
MX-7-420..............................  13001C through 13003C.
MXT-7-160.............................  17001C through 17008C.
MXT-7-180.............................  14000C through 14125C.
MXT-7-180A............................  21001C through 21096C.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from two reports of accidents where reversed 
elevator control rigging was a factor. We are issuing this AD to 
reduce the likelihood of a mechanic rigging the elevator controls 
backwards, which could result in elevator movement in the opposite 
direction from control input. This failure could lead to loss of 
control.

Compliance

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

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               Actions                             Compliance                            Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Using yellow enamel paint, color  Before the next time the elevator     Follow Maule Aerospace Technology,
 code the following:                   control cable is disconnected for     Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No.
(i) the top of the rear elevator       any reason or within the next 12      30, dated March 4, 2008.
 control horn;                         calendar months after the effective
(ii) the elevator control cable end    date of this AD, whichever occurs
 attached to the top of the rear       first.
 control horn;
(iii) the bottom of the forward
 elevator control horn; and
(iv) the elevator control cable end
 attached to the bottom of the
 forward control.
(2) Insert the following text into    Before the next time the elevator     Follow Maule Aerospace Technology,
 the rigging procedure section of      control cable is disconnected for     Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No.
 your FAA-approved maintenance         any reason or within the next 12      30, dated March 4, 2008. You may
 program (e.g. maintenance manual):    calendar months after the effective   insert a copy of this AD or you may
``CAUTION--BEFORE FLIGHT WHENEVER      date of this AD, whichever occurs     insert the text located on the
 ELEVATOR CABLES ARE RECONNECTED OR    first.                                bottom of page 3 of Maule Aerospace
 NEW CABLES INSTALLED: Always check                                          Technology, Inc. Mandatory Service
 operation of elevators after a                                              Bulletin No. 30, dated March 4,
 cable reconnect by pulling back on                                          2008, into the FAA-approved
 the control and ascertain that the                                          maintenance program (e.g.
 elevators are in the UP position.''                                         maintenance manual).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
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: Gerald Avella, Aerospace Engineer, One Crown Center, 1895 
Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 
703-6066; fax: (770) 703-6097; e-mail: [email protected]. 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.

Related Information

    (g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this 
AD, contact Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc., 2099 Georgia Highway 
133 South, Moultrie, Georgia 31788; telephone: (229) 985-2045; fax: 
(229) 985-2048; Internet: http://www.mauleairinc.com. 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.


[[Page 48317]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 12, 2008.
G. Wes Ryan,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-19168 Filed 8-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P