[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 5, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45332-45334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-18016]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0513; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-020-AD; 
Amendment 39-17920; AD 2014-15-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Mooney International Corporation 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Mooney International Corporation Models M20C, M20E, M20M, M20R, and 
M20TN airplanes. This AD requires inspection of the outer empennage 
attach fittings for correct thickness with replacement as necessary. 
This AD was prompted by discovery of empennage attach fittings (Lugs) 
that do not meet the approved design dimensional requirements, which 
could result in possible reduction in fatigue or static strength and/or 
corrosion. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 20, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 20, 
2014.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 19, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     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 AD, contact Mooney 
International Corporation, 165 Al Mooney Road North, Kerrville, Texas 
78028; telephone: (830) 896-6000; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: www.mooney.com. You may review copies of the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0513; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 
800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, 
ASW-150 (c/o San Antonio MIDO), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San 
Antonio, Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 308-3365; facsimile: (210) 308-
3370; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received reports of outboard empennage attach fittings that can 
be found on certain Mooney International Corporation Models M20C, M20E, 
M20M, M20R and M20TN airplanes that do not meet the approved type 
design dimensional requirements. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in reduction of fatigue or static strength, and/or 
corrosion, which could lead to possible structural failure of the 
attachment of the empennage to the fuselage causing loss of control. We 
are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Mooney International Corporation Service Bulletin M20-
318, dated June 2, 2014. The service information describes procedures 
for inspection of the outboard empennage attach fittings and 
instructions for replacement if necessary.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

[[Page 45333]]

AD Requirements

    This AD requires removal of the empennage assembly for inspection 
of the outboard empennage attach fittings. If the fittings are found 
not to meet dimensional requirements, replacement of the affected 
empennage attach fittings is required. This AD also requires sending 
the inspection results to Mooney International Corporation.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because 
failure of the attach fittings could result in separation of the 
empennage and loss of control. Therefore, we find that notice and 
opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and that good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2014-0513 and 
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-020-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD because 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 about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 38 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
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Inspection of empennage attach        6 work-hours x $85 per              $79             $589          $22,382
 fittings.                             hour = $510.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these 
replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
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Replacement of one empennage attach fitting     12 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $95          $1,115
 when only one is found to be out of tolerance.  $1,020.
Replacement of both empennage attach fittings.  24 work-hours x $85 per hour =               190           2,230
                                                 $2,040.
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    According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden 
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA 
at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

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

    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 DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative,

[[Page 45334]]

on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2014-15-18 Mooney International Corporation: Amendment 39-17920; 
Docket No. FAA-2014-0513; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-020-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 20, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Mooney International 
Corporation airplanes, certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Models                        Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (1)  M20C...........................  2313.
   (2)  M20E...........................  761.
   (3)  M20M...........................  27-0057.
   (4)  M20R...........................  29-0141 and 29-0513 through 29-
                                          0519.
   (5)  M20TN..........................  31-0101 through 31-0127.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 5342, Fuselage, Stabilizer Attach Fittings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by discovery of empennage attach fittings 
(Lugs) that do not meet the approved design dimensional 
requirements, which could result in possible reduction in fatigue or 
static strength, and/or corrosion. This unsafe condition could lead 
to possible structural failure of the attachment of the empennage to 
the fuselage causing loss of control. We are issuing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified in 
paragraphs (g) through (i) of this AD, unless already done.

(g) Inspection

    (1) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service after the effective 
date of this AD, inspect the part number (P/N) 350061-007 left hand 
(LH) and 350061-008 right hand (RH) outer empennage attach fittings 
for correct thickness following Step 1 of Mooney International 
Corporation Service Bulletin No. M20-318, dated June 2, 2014.
    (2) If the empennage attach fittings meet the dimensional 
requirements specified in Step 1 of Mooney International Corporation 
Service Bulletin No. M20-318, dated June 2, 2014, no further action 
is required except for the reporting requirement in paragraph (h) of 
this AD.
    (3) If any of the RH or LH empennage attach fittings do not meet 
the dimensional requirements specified in Step 1 of Mooney 
International Corporation Service Bulletin No. M20-318, dated June 
2, 2014, before further flight, replace the empennage attach 
fittings having the incorrect thickness with new airworthy empennage 
attach fittings following Step 2 of Mooney International Corporation 
Service Bulletin No. M20-318, dated June 2, 2014.

(h) Reporting Requirement

    Within 10 days after the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) 
or the action required in paragraph (g)(3) of this AD if replacing 
an empennage attach fitting is required, whichever is applicable, or 
within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later; send the inspection results to: Mooney International 
Corporation, Attn: Technical Support, 165 Al Mooney Road North, 
Kerrville, Texas 78028; fax: (830) 257-4635; telephone: (830) 896-
6000; email: [email protected]; Internet: www.mooney.com. 
Use the form on page 7 of Mooney International Corporation Service 
Bulletin No. M20-318, dated June 2, 2014, to comply with this AD 
action.

(i) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Fort Worth ACO, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request 
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District 
Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the 
manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(k) Related Information

    Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-150 (c/o San Antonio 
MIDO), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; 
telephone: (210) 308-3365; facsimile: (210) 308-3370; email: 
[email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Mooney International Corporation Service Bulletin No. M20-
318, dated June 2, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Mooney International Corporation service information 
identified in this AD, contact Mooney International Corporation, 165 
Al Mooney Road North, Kerrville, Texas 78028; telephone: (830) 896-
6000; email: [email protected]; Internet: www.mooney.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64016. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 25, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-18016 Filed 8-4-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P