[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 28 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7006-7010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3012]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0119; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-068-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LP Models SA226-AT, SA226-
T, SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, 
and SA227-DC (C-26B) Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-12-
16, which applies to certain M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 series 
airplanes. AD 2008-12-16 currently requires you to inspect wires and 
tube assemblies for chafing, arcing, or insufficient clearance between 
components. If chafing, arcing, or insufficient clearance between 
components is found, AD 2008-12-16 requires you to clear, repair, and/
or replace all chafed wires, components, and tube assemblies. AD 2008-
12-16 also requires you to cover the four-gauge wires leaving the 
battery box with firesleeving and secure them with a clamp. Since we 
issued AD 2008-12-16, M7 Aerospace LP has notified us that Model SA227-
BC (C-26A) was inadvertently left out of the Applicability section of 
the AD and they updated some of the service information due to parts 
availability. Operators have also identified issues with model 
applicability that needed clarification. Consequently, this proposed AD 
would retain the actions of AD 2008-12-16, add Model SA227-BC (C-26A) 
to the Applicability section, and regroup the models for clarification. 
We are proposing this AD to detect and correct chafing of electrical 
wires, components, and tube assemblies. This condition could result in 
arcing of exposed wires with consequent burning of a hole in a 
hydraulic line or the bleed air line. This failure could lead to a 
hydraulic fluid leak and a possible fire in the engine nacelle 
compartment.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 13, 2009.

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.
     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 M7 
Aerospace Repair Station, 10823 NE Entrance Road, San Antonio, Texas 
78216; telephone: (210) 824-9421; fax: (210) 804-7766; Internet: http://www.m7aerospace.com.

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

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-
2009-0119; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-068-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

    Five reports of chafing between the bleed air tube assembly and the 
electrical starter cables on M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 series 
airplanes, with one incident resulting in a fire, caused us to issue AD 
2008-12-16, Amendment 39-15560 (73 FR 34615, June 18, 2008). AD 2008-
12-16 currently requires the following on M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and 
SA227 series airplanes:
     Inspect electrical wires and components, hydraulic tube 
assemblies, and bleed air tube assemblies, for sufficient clearance 
between components or any evidence of chafing or arcing;

[[Page 7007]]

     Clear, repair, and/or replace all chafed electrical wires 
and components, chafed hydraulic tube assemblies, and chafed bleed air 
tube assemblies; and
     Cover the four-gauge wires leaving the battery box with 
firesleeving and secure them with a clamp.
    Since we issued AD 2008-12-16, M7 Aerospace LP has notified us that 
Model SA227-BC (C-26A) was inadvertently left out of the Applicability 
section of the AD and they updated some of the service information due 
to parts availability. Operators have also identified issues with the 
model applicability that needed clarification. Consequently, this 
proposed AD would retain the actions of AD 2008-12-16, add the Model 
SA227-BC (C-26A) to the Applicability section, and regroup the models 
for clarification. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct 
chafing of electrical wires, components, and tube assemblies.
    This condition could result in arcing of the exposed wires with 
consequent burning of a hole in a hydraulic line or the bleed air line. 
This failure could lead to a hydraulic fluid leak and a possible fire 
in the engine nacelle compartment.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed the following service bulletins and procedures:

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               Service bulletin                        Applicable models               Procedures described
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fairchild Aircraft Corporation SA226 Series    SA226-AT, SA226-T, and SA226-TC.  Inspecting the battery cables
 Service Bulletin 226-24-019, revised:                                            and covering the four-gauge
 November 21, 2008.                                                               wires leaving the battery box
                                                                                  with firesleeving and securing
                                                                                  them with a clamp.
Fairchild Aircraft Corporation SA227 Series    SA227-AC, SA227-AT, and SA227-BC
 Service Bulletin No. SB227-24-001, revised:    (C-26A).
 November 21, 2008.
M7 Aerospace SA226 Series Service Bulletin     SA226-AT and SA226-TC...........  Rerouting the hydraulic tube
 No. 226-24-020, revised: August 4, 2008.                                         assemblies in the right wing
                                                                                  leading edge, rerouting the
                                                                                  battery cables and 22-gauge
                                                                                  wire bundle, and installing a
                                                                                  new access panel forward of
                                                                                  the battery box.
M7 Aerospace SA227 Series Service Bulletin     SA227-AC and SA227-AT...........
 No. 227-24-002, revised: November 21, 2008.
M7 Aerospace SA226 Series Service Bulletin     SA226AT, SA226-T, and SA226TC...  Inspecting electrical wires and
 No. 226-24-036, revised: November 21, 2008.                                      components, hydraulic tube
                                                                                  assemblies, and bleed air tube
                                                                                  assemblies at the inboard wing
                                                                                  leading edge/battery box
                                                                                  areas, wing stations 51.167 to
                                                                                  81.174, and the feed-through
                                                                                  locations into the inboard
                                                                                  keelson.
M7 Aerospace SA227 Series Service Bulletin     SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-BC (C-
 No. 227-24-019, revised: November 21, 2008.    26A), and SA227-AT.
M7 Aerospace SA227 Series Commuter Category    SA227-CC and SA227-DC (C-26B)...
 Service Bulletin No. CC7-24-010, revised:
 November 21, 2008.
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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 supersede AD 2008-12-16 with a new AD that would retain the 
actions of AD 2008-12-16, add Model SA227-BC (C26A) to the 
Applicability section, and regroup the models for clarification. We are 
proposing this AD to detect and correct chafing of electrical wires, 
components, and tube assemblies. This proposed AD would require you to 
use the service information described previously to perform these 
actions.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 268 airplanes in the 
U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:

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                                                                              Total cost per     Total cost on
                 Labor cost                            Parts cost                airplane       U.S.  operators
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4 work-hours x $80 per hour = $320.........  Not Applicable...............              $320            $85,760
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary modifications 
for certain Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-TC, SA227-AC, and SA227-AT 
airplanes referenced in M7 Aerospace SA226 Series Service Bulletin 226-
24-019, revised: November 21, 2008; or M7 Aerospace SA227 Series 
Service Bulletin 227-24-001, revised: November 21, 2008. We estimate 88 
airplanes may need this modification:

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                                                                              Total cost per     Total cost on
                       Labor cost                            Parts cost          airplane       U.S.  operators
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13 work-hours x $80 per hour = $1,040..................                $7             $1,047            $92,136
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[[Page 7008]]

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs for 
certain Models SA226-AT, SA226-TC, SA227-AC, and SA227-AT referenced in 
M7 Aerospace SA226 Series Service Bulletin 226-24-020, revised: August 
4, 2008; or M7 Aerospace SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-24-002, 
revised: November 21, 2008. We have no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that may need this repair:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Total cost per
            Labor cost                  Parts cost          airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 work-hours x $80 per hour =                $3,000             $7,000
 $4,000...........................
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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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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 removing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 2008-12-16, Amendment 39-15560 (73 FR 34615, June 18, 2008), and 
adding the following new AD:

M7 Aerospace LP: Docket No. FAA-2009-0119; Directorate Identifier 
2008-CE-068-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by April 13, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-12-16, Amendment 39-15560.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-TC, 
SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, and SA227-DC 
(C-26B) airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any 
category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from five reports of chafing between the 
bleed air tube assembly and the electrical starter cables on M7 
Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 series airplanes with one incident 
resulting in a fire. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct 
chafing of electrical wires and components, hydraulic tube 
assemblies, and bleed air tube assemblies. This condition could 
result in arcing of the exposed wires with consequent burning of a 
hole in a hydraulic line or the bleed air line. This failure could 
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:

[[Page 7009]]



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                   Actions                                Compliance                        Procedures
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(1) For airplanes with the following Model     Within 250 hours time-in-service  Use the following service
 Numbers (M/N) and Serial Numbers (S/N),        (TIS) after July 23, 2008 (the    information as applicable:
 inspect the main battery leads running         effective date of AD 2008-12-    (A) For Models SA226-AT, SA226-
 forward from the battery compartment for       16).                              T, and SA226-TC airplanes:
 deterioration, cover the four-gauge wires                                        Follow M7 Aerospace SA226
 leaving the battery box with firesleeving,                                       Series Service Bulletin No.
 and secure them with a clamp:                                                    226-24-019, revised: November
(i) M/N SA226-AT, S/N AT-001 through AT-419;                                      21, 2008; or Fairchild
(ii) M/N SA226-T, S/N T-201 through T-248;                                        Aircraft Corporation SA226
(iii) M/N SA226-TC, S/N TC-201 through TC-                                        Series Service Bulletin No. SB
 419;                                                                             24-019, revised: May 17, 1983;
(iv) M/N SA227-AC (C-26A), S/N AC-420 through                                     or
 AC-539, AC-541, AC-543, AC-544, AC-547                                          (B) For Models SA227-AC (C-26A)
 through AC-551; and                                                              and SA227-AT airplanes: Follow
(v) M/N SA227-AT, S/N AT-423 through AT-551.                                      M7 Aerospace SA227 Series
                                                                                  Service Bulletin No. 227-24-
                                                                                  001, revised: November 21,
                                                                                  2008; or Fairchild Aircraft
                                                                                  Corporation SA227 Series
                                                                                  Service Bulletin No. SB24-001,
                                                                                  revised: May 17, 1983.
(2) For airplanes with the following M/Ns and  Before further flight after the   Use the following service
 S/Ns, reroute the hydraulic tube assemblies    modification required in          information as applicable:
 in the right wing leading edge, reroute the    paragraph (e)(1) of this AD and  (A) For Models SA226-AT, and
 battery cables and 22-gauge wire bundle, and   you were not able to obtain a     SA226-TC airplanes: Follow M7
 install a new access panel forward of the      minimum 0.50-inch clearance       Aerospace SA226 Series Service
 battery box:                                   between the bleed air line and    Bulletin No. 226-24-020,
(i) M/N SA226-AT, S/N AT-001 through AT-074;    the tubing on the battery         revised: August 4, 2008; or
(ii) M/N SA226-TC, S/N TC-201 through TC-419;   cables.                           Fairchild Aircraft Corporation
(iii) M/N SA227-AC (C-26A), S/N AC-420                                            SA226 Series Service Bulletin
 through AC-539, AC-541, AC-543, AC-544, AC-                                      No. SB 24-020, revised:
 547 through AC-550; and                                                          February 15, 1984; or
(iv) M/N SA227-AT, S/N AT-423 through AT-551.                                    (B) For Models SA227-AC (C-26A)
                                                                                  and SA227-AT, airplanes:
                                                                                  Follow M7 Aerospace SA227
                                                                                  Series Service Bulletin No.
                                                                                  227-24-002, revised: November
                                                                                  21, 2008; or Fairchild
                                                                                  Aircraft Corporation SA227
                                                                                  Series Service Bulletin No.
                                                                                  SB24-002, revised: February
                                                                                  15, 1984.
(3) For airplane Models SA226-AT, SA226-T,     Within 250 hours TIS after July   Use the following service
 SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-   23, 2008 (the effective date of   information as applicable:
 CC, and SA227-DC (C-26B): Inspect electrical   AD 2008-12-16). Repetitively     (i) For Models SA226-AT, SA226-
 wires and components, hydraulic tube           thereafter inspect at intervals   T, and SA226-TC airplanes:
 assemblies, and bleed air tube assemblies at   not to exceed 12 months.          Follow M7 Aerospace SA226
 the left hand and right hand (LH/RH) inboard                                     Series Service Bulletin No.
 wing leading edge/battery box areas, LH/RH                                       226-24-036, revised November
 wing stations 51.167 to 81.174, and at all                                       21, 2008; or M7 Aerospace
 feed-through locations into the LH/RH                                            SA226 Series Service Bulletin
 inboard keelson for any evidence of chafing                                      No. 226-24-036, issued:
 or arcing.                                                                       September 19, 2007;
                                                                                 (ii) For Models SA227-AC (C-
                                                                                  26A) and SA227-AT, airplanes:
                                                                                  Follow M7 Aerospace SA227
                                                                                  Series Service Bulletin No.
                                                                                  227-24-019, revised: November
                                                                                  21, 2008; or M7 Aerospace
                                                                                  SA227 Series Service Bulletin
                                                                                  No. 227-24-019, issued:
                                                                                  September 19, 2007; or
                                                                                 (iii) For Models SA227-CC and
                                                                                  SA227-DC (C-26B) airplanes:
                                                                                  Follow SA227 Series Commuter
                                                                                  Category Service Bulletin No.
                                                                                  CC7-24-010, revised November
                                                                                  21, 2008; or SA227 Series
                                                                                  Commuter Category Service
                                                                                  Bulletin No. CC7-24-010,
                                                                                  issued September 19, 2007.
(4) For airplane Model SA227-BC (C-26A):       Within 250 hours TIS after the    Follow M7 Aerospace SA227
 Inspect the main battery leads running         effective date of this AD.        Series Service Bulletin No.
 forward from the battery compartment for any                                     227-24-001, revised: November
 evidence of insulation deterioration.                                            21, 2008.
(5) For airplane Model SA227-BC (C-26A):       Within 250 hours TIS after the    Follow M7 Aerospace SA227
 Inspect electrical wires and components,       effective date of this AD.        Series Service Bulletin No.
 hydraulic tube assemblies, and bleed air       Repetitively thereafter inspect   227-24-019, revised: November
 tube assemblies at LH/RH inboard wing          at intervals not to exceed 12     21, 2008.
 leading edge/battery box areas, LH/RH wing     months.
 stations 51.167 to 81.174, and at all feed-
 through locations into the LH/RH inboard
 keelson for any evidence of insulation
 deterioration, chafing, or arcing.

[[Page 7010]]

 
(6) For all airplane Models: Clear, repair,    Before further flight after any   Use the service information
 and/or replace all electrical wires and        inspection required in            from paragraphs (e)(1),
 components, hydraulic tube assemblies, and     paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(3),        (e)(3), (e)(4), and (e)(5) of
 bleed air tube assemblies, in the inspection   (e)(4), and (e)(5) of this AD     this AD, as applicable.
 area and feed-through locations that show      where any evidence of
 any sign of insulation deterioration,          insulation deterioration,
 chafing, or arcing, as required.               chafing, or arcing was found.
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    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, ASW-150, Fort Worth Airplane 
Certification Office, 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.

Related Information

    (g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this 
AD, contact M7 Aerospace Repair Station, 10823 NE Entrance Road, San 
Antonio, Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 824-9421; fax: (210) 804-
7766; Internet: http://www.m7aerospace.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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 6, 2009.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E9-3012 Filed 2-11-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P