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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 17, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50881-50883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20127]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0832; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-025-AD; 
Amendment 39-16771; AD 2011-17-07]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LP 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 
M7 Aerospace LP Models SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, and SA226-AT 
airplanes. This AD requires repetitive replacement and inspection of 
certain elevator, rudder, aileron, and aileron-to-rudder interconnect 
primary control cables, and checking and setting of flight control 
cable tension. This AD was prompted by a report of a failure of a 
rudder control cable. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 1, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of September 1, 
2011.
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 3, 2011.

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 M7 
Aerospace, LC, 10823 NE. Entrance Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216; 
telephone (210) 824-9421; fax: 800-347-5901; e-mail: http://www.m7aerospace.com/page/1/contact_parts.jsp; Web site: http://www.m7aerospace.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; 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.

[[Page 50882]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, ASW-150 (c/o San Antonio MIDO (SW-MIDO-43)), 10100 Reunion Place, 
Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; phone: (210) 308-3365; fax: (210) 
308-3370; e-mail: andrew.mcanaul@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received a report of an M7 Aerospace LP Model SA226-T airplane 
experiencing loss of rudder control during single-engine occurrence 
training requiring applied full rudder to compensate for yaw effect. 
The airplane made an uneventful landing. A visual inspection found the 
left-hand primary rudder control cable had failed where the cable makes 
a 30 degree angle over a small pulley to accommodate re-routing of the 
control cable alongside the camera system installed in the center of 
the cabin.
    AD 87-02-02 (52 FR 2511, January 23, 1987) requires periodic 
inspection or replacement of all flight control cables on Models SA226 
and SA227 airplanes. This new AD action requires repetitive replacement 
of specific flight control cables on affected serial number Model SA226 
airplanes that have been modified by installation of a camera system 
requiring rerouting of the affected flight control cables.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of 
controlled flight due to failure of a rudder, aileron and/or elevator 
control cable.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed M7 Aerospace LP Service Bulletin 226-27-072, dated June 
27, 2011. The service information describes procedures for repetitive 
inspection and replacement of all elevator, rudder, aileron, and 
aileron-to-rudder interconnect primary control cables.

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 these same type 
designs.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

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 if an 
elevator cable or another cable in certain situations breaks, the 
outcome can be catastrophic. 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 ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0832; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-CE-025-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 4 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Logbook check...................  1 work-hour x $85   Not Applicable....  $85...............  $340.
                                   per hour = $85.
Inspection of all elevator,       80 to 100 work-     Not Applicable....  $6,800 to $8,500..  $27,200 to
 rudder, aileron, and aileron-to-  hours x $85 per                                             $34,000.
 rudder interconnect primary       hour = $6,800 to
 control cables.                   $8,500.
Replacement of all elevator,      120 to 180 work-    $18,800...........  $29,000 to $34,100  $116,000 to
 rudder, aileron, and aileron-to-  hours x $85 per                                             $136,400.
 rudder interconnect primary       hour = $10,200 to
 control cables.                   $15,300.
Check (set) flight control cable  20 to 25 work-      Not Applicable....  $1,700 to $2,125..  $6,800 to $8,500.
 tension.                          hours x $85 per
                                   hour = $1,700 to
                                   $2,125.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

[[Page 50883]]

    (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, 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):

2011-17-07 M7 Aerospace LP: Amendment 39-16771; Docket No. FAA-2011-
0832; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-025-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 1, 2011.

(b) Affected ADs

    AD 87-02-02 (52 FR 2511, January 23, 1987) requires repetitive 
inspection or replacement of all flight control cables on Models 
SA226 and SA227 airplanes. This new action requires repetitive 
replacement of specific flight control cables on affected serial 
number Model SA226 airplanes that have been modified by installation 
of a camera system requiring rerouting of the affected flight 
control cables.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following M7 Aerospace LP airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in Table 1 of this AD:

                         Table 1--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model--                           Serial Nos.--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SA226-T..................................  T265, T267.
SA226-T(B)...............................  T(B)348.
SA226-TC.................................  TC277.
SA226-AT.................................  AT071, AT072, AT073.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code: 27, Flight Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a failure of a rudder 
control cable. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done, following M7 Aerospace LP Service Bulletin 226-
27-072, dated June 27, 2011. If the hours time-in-service (TIS) of 
the control cables can not be positively determined by the logbook, 
then you must use hours TIS of the airplane to comply with the 
requirements of this AD.

(g) Inspection

    (1) For cables with more than 6,000 hours TIS: Inspect cables 
for deficiencies within 10 hours TIS after September 1, 2011 (the 
effective date of this AD).
    (2) If any deficiencies are found during the inspection required 
in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before further flight replace 
cables.

(h) Replacement

    (1) Replace primary control cables within the initial compliance 
times as listed below and repetitively thereafter at intervals not 
to exceed 3,500 hours time-in-service (TIS):
    (i) For cables with less than or equal to 3,500 hours TIS: 
Replace cables when the control cables reach a total of 3,500 hours 
TIS or 150 hours TIS after September 1, 2011 (the effective date of 
this AD), whichever occurs later.
    (ii) For cables with less than or equal to 5,000 hours TIS but 
greater than 3,500 hours TIS: Replace cables within 150 hours TIS 
after September 1, 2011 (the effective date of this AD).
    (iii) For cables with more than 5,000 hours TIS: Replace cables 
within 50 hours TIS after September 1, 2011 (the effective date of 
this AD).
    (2) Between 50 hours TIS and 200 hours TIS after installing any 
new control cable as required in paragraphs (g)(2) or (h)(1) of this 
AD, check (set) flight control cable tension.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) 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. 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 the Related Information section 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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Andrew McAnaul, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, ASW-150 (c/o San Antonio MIDO (SW-MIDO-
43)), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; 
phone: (210) 308-3365; fax: (210) 308-3370; e-mail: 
andrew.mcanaul@faa.gov.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    You must use the following service information 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 (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51 of M7 Aerospace LP Service Bulletin 226-27-072, dated June 
27, 2011, on September 1, 2011.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact M7 
Aerospace, LC, 10823 NE. Entrance Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216; 
telephone (210) 824-9421; fax: 800-347-5901; e-mail: http://www.m7aerospace.com/page/1/contact_parts.jsp; Web site: http://www.m7aerospace.com.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 2, 2011.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-20127 Filed 8-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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