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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11469-11471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04677]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-4256; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-002-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LLC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
M7 Aerospace LLC Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-
AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and 
SA227-TT airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of failed 
elevator control rod ends due to corrosion and lack of lubrication. 
This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections and 
lubrication of the elevator control rod ends and bearings with 
replacement as necessary. We are proposing this AD to correct the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 18, 2016.

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: Deliver to Mail address above 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 LLC, 10823 NE Entrance Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216; phone: 
(210) 824-9421; fax: (210) 804-7766; Internet: http://www.elbitsystems-us.com; email: MetroTech@M7Aerospace.com. You may view this 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-2016-
4256; 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 proposed 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, 
FAA, ASW-143 (c/o San Antonio MIDO), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, 
San Antonio, Texas 78216; phone: (210) 308-3365; fax: (210) 308-3370; 
email: andrew.mcanaul@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-4256; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-002-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    The FAA received reports of broken elevator control rod link 
assemblies between the elevator torque tube and the elevator quadrant 
due to corrosion and lack of lubrication on M7 Aerospace SA26, SA226, 
and SA227 airplanes.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in increased 
friction and partial or complete loss of elevator control resulting in 
loss of pitch control.

Relevant Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed M7 Aerospace LLC Service Bulletin (SB) 226-27-080 R1, 
M7 Aerospace LLC SB 227-27-060 R1, and M7 Aerospace LLC SB CC7-27-032 
R1, all Issued: November 5, 2015 and Revised: February 23, 2016. The 
service information describes procedures for inspection of the elevator 
control link assemblies between the elevator torque tubes and the 
elevator quadrant for frozen (stiff, hard to move) bearings or broken/
cracked links (rod ends) with instructions for lubrication and 
replacement if necessary. All of the related service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing 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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections 
of the elevator control rod ends and bearings with replacement as 
necessary.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 350 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 11470]]

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection and lubrication..........  2 work-hours x $85 per              *NA             $170          $59,500
                                       hour = $170.
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* Not applicable

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs/
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that might need these repairs/replacements:

                                               On-condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace Rod End..............................  4 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $30             $370
                                                $340.
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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 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 this 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),
    (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.

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

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:

M7 Aerospace LLC: Docket No. FAA-2016-4256; Directorate Identifier 
2016-CE-002-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 18, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to M7 Aerospace LLC Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, 
SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), 
SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and SA227-TT airplanes, all serial 
numbers, certificated in any category.

 (d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2730, Elevator Control System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of failed elevator control rod 
ends due to corrosion and lack of lubrication. We are issuing this 
AD to require initial and repetitive inspections and lubrication of 
the elevator control rod ends and bearings with replacement as 
necessary. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition 
on these products.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(5) of this AD using 
the following service bulletins within the compliance times 
specified, unless already done:
    (1) For Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), and SA226-TC: M7 
Aerospace LLC Service Bulletin (SB) 226-27-080 R1, Issued: November 
5, 2015 and Revised: February 23, 2016;
    (2) For Models SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), and 
SA227-TT: M7 Aerospace LLC SB 227-27-060 R1, Issued: November 5, 
2015 and Revised: February 23, 2016; or
    (3) For Models SA227-CC and SA227-DC (C-26B): M7 Aerospace LLC 
SB CC7-27-032 R1, Issued: November 5, 2015 and Revised: February 23, 
2016.

(g) Actions

    (1) If abnormally high resistance is reported when operating the 
elevators, before further flight after the effective date of this 
AD, inspect and lubricate installed elevator control links following 
paragraph 2.A. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service 
bulletins identified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this 
AD, as applicable.
    (2) Remove the elevator control links and inspect following 
paragraph 2.B. (and 2.C. when applicable) and lubricate the bearings 
following paragraph 2.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service bulletins identified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) 
of this AD, as applicable, at whichever of the following occurs 
first:
    (i) At the next Zone related Phase or Letter Check inspection 
after the effective date of this AD or within the next 600 hours 
time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later; or

[[Page 11471]]

    (ii) Within the next 6 months after the effective date of this 
AD.
    (3) Repetitively remove and inspect the elevator control links 
not to exceed every 12 months following any inspection required in 
paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD following paragraph 2.B. (and 
2.C. when applicable) and lubricate the bearings following paragraph 
2.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins 
identified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (4) If during any inspection required in paragraphs (g)(1), 
(g)(2) or (g)(3) of this AD, any link assemblies between the 
elevator torque tubes and the elevator quadrant are found to have 
frozen (stiff, hard to move) bearings or broken/cracked links (rod 
ends), before further flight, replace the rod ends following 
paragraph 2.D. and lubricate the bearings following with paragraph 
2.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins 
identified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (5) Repetitively lubricate the rod end bearings (male and 
female) on both elevator control link assemblies following the time 
limits in paragraph 1.D.4) of the applicable SB, but not to exceed 
every 6 months, and following the procedures in paragraph 2.E. of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins identified 
in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD, as applicable.

(h) 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 paragraph (i) 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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Andrew McAnaul, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, ASW-143 (c/o San Antonio MIDO), 10100 
Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; phone: (210) 
308-3365; fax: (210) 308-3370; email: andrew.mcanaul@faa.gov.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact M7 
Aerospace LLC, 10823 NE Entrance Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216; 
phone: (210) 824-9421; fax: (210) 804-7766; Internet: http://www.elbitsystems-us.com; email: MetroTech@M7Aerospace.com. You may 
view this 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 25, 2016.
Robert P. Busto,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04677 Filed 3-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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