[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 140 (Wednesday, July 22, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39254-39256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19486]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-20-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models 
M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, and M20R 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) 
Models M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, and 
M20R airplanes. The proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting 
the aileron control link welded area, and if cracks are found, 
replacing the control link with a part of improved design. Service 
difficulty reports (SDR's) on the aileron control link and reported 
failures of the aileron control link prompted the proposed action. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect and correct 
cracked aileron control links, which could result in loss of aileron 
control and loss of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-20-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from Mooney Aircraft Corporation, Louis Schreiner Field, Kerrville, 
Texas, 78028. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket 
at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob D. May, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5156; facsimile: (817) 222-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned 
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 98-CE-20-AD.'' The

[[Page 39255]]

postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 98-CE-20-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The FAA has received several SDR's from the field on the failure of 
the aileron center control link during flight and on the ground for the 
Mooney M20 series airplanes. These failures are occurring in the heat-
affected zones of the weld joints at the 90-degree corners of the 
assemblies. In 1994, the airplane design was changed to incorporate a 
reinforcing gusset in the corner joints. This design change was 
accomplished as field repair or rework and was found not to be a 
practical alteration of the part. Since then, the manufacturer has 
designed an improved part.

Relevant Service Information

    Mooney Aircraft Corporation has issued Engineering Design Service 
Bulletin No. M20-264, dated February 1, 1998, which specifies 
procedures for inspecting for a reinforcing gusset or cracks in the 
aileron control link at the second 90-degree angled joint from the Heim 
bearing. If the gusset is found, then no further action is required. If 
no gusset is found, the service information specifies procedures for 
repetitively inspecting (using a magnetic particle method) for cracks 
at the second 90-degree angled joint, and if cracks are found, 
replacing the aileron control link with one of improved design. The 
installation of the improved part is considered a terminating action to 
the repetitive inspections. If no cracks are found, the service 
information specifies repetitively inspecting the area until cracks are 
found, and then replacing the aileron control link with a part of 
improved design.

The FAA's Determination

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, the FAA has 
determined that AD action should be taken to detect and correct cracked 
aileron control links, which could result in loss of aileron control 
and loss of the airplane.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Mooney Model M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, 
M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, and M20R airplanes of the same type 
design, the proposed AD would require inspecting the aileron control 
link for a reinforcing gusset, and if there is no gusset, repetitively 
inspecting the aileron control links (left-hand and right-hand) for 
cracks using a magnetic particle method. If a crack is found, the 
proposed AD would require replacing the aileron control links with 
parts of improved design. Replacing the aileron control link would be 
considered a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. 
Accomplishment of the proposed actions would be required in accordance 
with the previously referenced service information.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 7,500 airplanes in the U.S. registry would 
be affected by the proposed initial inspections, that it would take 
approximately 2 workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
initial inspection, and that the average labor rate is approximately 
$60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 
proposed initial inspection specified in the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $900,000, or $120 per airplane.
    The FAA has no way of determining the number of repetitive 
inspections that would be incurred over the life of the airplane or 
whether a cracked part would be found as the result of the proposed 
initial inspection. Therefore, these actions are not figured into the 
initial total cost impact estimated for the proposed AD.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); and (3) if promulgated, 
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. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of 
it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location 
provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Mooney Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. 98-CE-20-AD.
    Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Models                           Serial numbers          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
M20B................................  all serial numbers                
M20C................................  all serial numbers                
M20D................................  all serial numbers                
M20E................................  all serial numbers                
                  M20F..............  all serial numbers                
M20G................................  all serial numbers                
M20L................................  all serial numbers                
Model M20J..........................  24-0001 through 24-3359           
Model M20K..........................  25-0001 through 25-1999           
Model 20M...........................  27-0001 through 27-0197           
Model M20R..........................  29-0001 through 29-0042           
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To detect and correct cracked aileron control links, which could 
result in loss of

[[Page 39256]]

aileron control and loss of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, visually inspect the aileron control 
links (left-hand and right-hand) at the second 90-degree angle joint 
from the second Heim bearing for a reinforcement gusset in 
accordance with the Instructions section of Engineering Design 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. M20-264, Issue Date:
    February 1, 1998.
    (1) If a reinforcement gusset is found, no further action is 
required.
    (2) If a reinforcement gusset is not found, prior to further 
flight, inspect the aileron control links, using a magnetic particle 
method, for any cracks in accordance with the Instructions section 
of Engineering Design SB No. M20-264, Issue Date: February 1, 1998.
    (i) If cracks are found, prior to further flight, replace the 
aileron control link with a part of improved design in accordance 
with the Instructions section of Engineering Design SB No. M20-264, 
Issue Date: February 1, 1998.
    (ii) If no cracks are found, re-inspect for cracks at intervals 
not to exceed 100 hours TIS in accordance with the Instructions 
section of Engineering Design SB No. M20-264, Issue Date: February 
1, 1998. If cracks are found during any inspection required by 
paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(2)(ii) of this AD, prior to further 
flight, replace the aileron control link with a part of improved 
design in accordance with the Instructions section of Engineering 
Design SB No. M20-264, Issue Date: February 1, 1998.
    (b) Replacing the aileron control link in accordance with 
Engineering Design SB No. M20-264, Issue Date: February 1, 1998, is 
considered a terminating action for the repetitive inspections 
required in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this AD and may be accomplished 
at any time.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent 
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane 
Certification Office (ACO), 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0150. The request shall be forwarded through an 
appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 
send it to the Manager, Fort Worth ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Fort Worth Aircraft Certification Office.

    (e) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
the document referred to herein upon request to Mooney Aircraft 
Corporation, Louis Schreiner Field, Kerrville, Texas, 78028; or may 
examine this document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 16, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-19486 Filed 7-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U