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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 24, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 77618-77621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30503]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-1057; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-041-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LLC Airplanes

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), 
SA227-TT, SA26-AT, and SA26-T airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted 
by reports of airplanes with multiple fatigue cracks in the FS 69.31 
front pressure bulkhead. This proposed AD would require repetitively 
inspecting (visually) the FS 51.31 front pressure bulkhead on SA26 
series airplanes and FS 69.31 front pressure bulkhead on SA226 and 
SA227 series airplanes for cracks, and repairing any cracked bulkhead. 
This proposed AD also requires reporting certain inspection results to 
M7 Aerospace LLC. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 7, 
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: 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 LP, 10823 NE Entrance Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216; phone: 
(210) 824-9421; fax: (210) 804-7766; Internet: http://www.m7aerospace.com; email: none. 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 and locating Docket Number FAA-2013-
1057; 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-150 (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-2013-1057; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-041-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

    We received reports of two M7 Aerospace LLC Model SA227 airplanes 
with multiple fatigue cracks in the FS 69.31 front pressure bulkhead. 
The cracks are located in the radii of the left-hand and right-hand 
part number 27-21027 frames. The cracks were discovered by maintenance 
personnel after the flight crew reported trouble maintaining normal 
cabin pressure. The root cause for multiple site fatigue cracking is 
the normal ground-air-ground pressure cycles.

[[Page 77619]]

    This unsafe condition, if not corrected, could result in cabin 
depressurization.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed M7 Aerospace LLC SA26 Series Service Bulletin 26-53-001 
R1; SA226 Series Service Bulletin 226-53-017 R1; SA227 Series Service 
Bulletin 227-53-011 R1; and SA227 Series Commuter Category Service 
Bulletin CC7-53-007 R1, all revised November 6, 2013. The service 
information describes procedures for repetitively inspecting (visually) 
the FS 51.31 front pressure bulkhead on SA26 series airplanes and FS 
69.31 front pressure bulkhead on SA226 and SA227 series airplanes for 
cracks, and, if any crack damage is found, reporting and repairing any 
cracked bulkhead.

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 these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously. This proposed AD also 
requires sending the inspection results to M7 Aerospace LLC.
    Operators who had the initial inspection and resulting repairs 
accomplished using procedures different from the M7 Aerospace LLC 
service information required by this AD action may apply for an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) following the instructions in 
paragraph (m) of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 360 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         Cost per
                Action                            Labor cost                     Parts cost               product          Cost on U.S.  operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect visually F.S. 69.31 or F.S.     12 work-hours x $85 per hour   Not Applicable................       $1,020   $367,200 per inspection cycle.
 51.31 bulkhead (as applicable),         = $1,020 per inspection.
 looking for cracking in the radius.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Cost per
                Action                                  Labor cost                   Parts costs       product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair damage.........................  400 work-hours x $85 per hour = $34,000..          $8,000       $42,000
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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 proposed 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 proposed AD would be 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 proposed 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,

[[Page 77620]]

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 (AD):

M7 Aerospace LLC: Docket No. FAA-2013-1057; Directorate Identifier 
2013-CE-041-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 7, 2014.

(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), SA227-TT, SA26-AT, and SA26-T airplanes, 
all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code: 5312, Fuselage Main, Bulkhead.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of airplanes with multiple 
fatigue cracks in the FS 69.31 front pressure bulkhead. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the FS 51.31 (SA26 
airplanes) and FS 69.31 (SA226 and SA227 airplanes) front pressure 
bulkhead, which if not corrected, could result in cabin 
depressurization.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified in 
paragraphs (h) through (j) of this AD, including all subparagraphs, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection for Crack Damage

    Do a detailed visual inspection of the front pressure bulkhead 
using the compliance times in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this 
AD, including all subparagraphs, as applicable.
    (1) For all SA26-AT and SA26-T airplanes: Do a detailed visual 
inspection of the F.S. 51.31 front pressure bulkhead following 
paragraphs A. through E. of the Accomplishment Instructions in M7 
Aerospace LLC SA26 Series Service Bulletin 26-53-001 R1, revised 
November 6, 2013.
    (2) For all SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226 T(B), and SA226-TC 
airplanes: Do a detailed visual inspection of the F.S. 69.31 front 
pressure bulkhead following paragraphs A. through E. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions in M7 Aerospace LLC SA226 Series Service 
Bulletin 226-53-017 R1, revised November 6, 2013.
    (3) For all SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), and 
SA227-TT airplanes: Do a detailed visual inspection of the F.S. 
69.31 front pressure bulkhead following paragraphs A. through E. of 
the Accomplishment Instructions in M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series 
Service Bulletin 227-53-011 R1, revised November 6, 2013.
    (4) For all SA227-CC and SA227-DC (C-26B) airplanes: Do a 
detailed visual inspection of the F.S. 69.31 front pressure bulkhead 
following paragraphs A. through E. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Commuter Category 
Service Bulletin CC7-53-007 R1, revised November 6, 2013.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD:  Operators who had the 
initial inspection and resulting repairs accomplished using 
procedures different from the M7 Aerospace LLC service information 
required by this AD action may apply for an alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC) following the instructions in paragraph (m) of 
this AD.

(h) Bulkhead Inspection Compliance Times

    (1) Initially do the inspections for crack damage required by 
paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), or (g)(4) of this AD, as 
applicable, using the compliance times specified below:
    (i) For airplanes with 30,000 or more hours TIS, perform the 
inspection within the next 150 hours TIS after the effective date of 
this AD;
    (ii) For airplanes with at least 25,000 but less than 30,000 
hours TIS, perform the inspection within the next 300 hours TIS 
after the effective date of this AD;
    (iii) For airplanes with at least 20,000 but less than 25,000 
hours TIS, perform the inspection within the next 450 hours TIS 
after the effective date of this AD;
    (iv) For airplanes with at least 11,000 but less than 20,000 
hours TIS, perform the inspection within the next 600 hours TIS 
after the effective date of this AD; or
    (v) For airplanes with less than 11,000 hours TIS, perform the 
inspection before or upon accumulating 11,000 hours TIS or within 
the next 600 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later.
    (2) After the initial inspection specified in paragraph (h)(1) 
of this AD, to include all subparagraphs, repetitively thereafter do 
the inspections required in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), or 
(g)(4) of this AD, as applicable, at intervals not to exceed 1,000 
hours TIS.

(i) Reporting Requirement for All Airplanes

    If any cracks or other damage is found during any inspection 
required by paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), or (g)(4) of this AD, 
before further flight, report all damage to M7 Aerospace LLC using 
the contact information and reporting criteria specified in 
paragraph F. of the Accomplishment Instructions in the service 
information listed in paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(4) of this AD, 
as applicable:
    (1) M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Commuter Category Service 
Bulletin CC7-53-007 R1, revised November 6, 2013.
    (2) M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-53-011 
R1, revised November 6, 2013.
    (3) M7 Aerospace LLC SA26 Series Service Bulletin 26-53-001 R1, 
revised November 6, 2013.
    (4) M7 Aerospace LLC SA226 Series Service Bulletin 226-53-017 
R1, revised November 6, 2013.

(j) Repair of Crack Damage

    If any damage is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), or (g)(4) of this AD, before 
further flight, repair the damage following paragraph G. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions in the service information listed in 
paragraphs (j)(1) through (j)(4) of this AD, as applicable. The 
repair scheme provided will be based on the damage reports submitted 
per paragraph (i) of this AD.
    (1) M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Commuter Category Service 
Bulletin CC7-53-007 R1, revised November 6, 2013.
    (2) M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-53-011 
R1, revised November 6, 2013.
    (3) M7 Aerospace LLC SA26 Series Service Bulletin 26-53-001 R1, 
revised November 6, 2013.
    (4) M7 Aerospace LLC SA226 Series Service Bulletin 226-53-017 
R1, revised November 6, 2013.

(k) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    This AD allows credit for the initial inspection and any 
resulting actions required in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4), (i), 
and (j) of this AD, including all subparagraphs, if done before the 
effective date of this AD following the procedures specified in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information 
listed in paragraphs (k)(1) through (k)(4) of this AD:
    (1) M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Commuter Category Service 
Bulletin CC7-53-007, dated September 26, 2013.
    (2) M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Commuter Category Service 
Bulletin 227-53-011, dated September 26, 2013.
    (3) M7 Aerospace LLC SA26 Series Service Bulletin 226-53-001, 
dated September 26, 2013.
    (4) M7 Aerospace LLC SA226 Series Service Bulletin 226-53-017, 
dated September 26, 2013.

(l) 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

[[Page 77621]]

Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(m) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office 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 (n)(1) 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.

(n) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Andrew McAnaul, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, ASW-150 (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 LP, 10823 NE Entrance Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216; 
phone: (210) 824-9421; fax: (210) 804-7766; Internet: http://www.m7aerospace.com; email: none. 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 December 13, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-30503 Filed 12-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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