Document ID: FAA-2013-1057-0004
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: M7 Aerospace LLC Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-03-21T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15657-15660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05613]

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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; 
Amendment 39-17805; AD 2014-06-01]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LLC Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting 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 AD was

[[Page 15658]]

prompted by reports of airplanes with multiple fatigue cracks in the FS 
69.31 front pressure bulkhead. This AD requires 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 
AD also requires reporting certain inspection results to M7 Aerospace 
LLC. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 25, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 25, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: 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.elbitsystems-us.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 for and locating Docket No. 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

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: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to 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. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
December 24, 2013 (78 FR 77618). The NPRM was prompted by reports of 
airplanes with multiple fatigue cracks in the FS 69.31 front pressure 
bulkhead. The NPRM proposed to 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 
NPRM also proposed to require reporting certain inspection results to 
M7 Aerospace LLC. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 77618, December 24, 
2013) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (78 FR 77618, December 24, 2013) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 77618, December 24, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

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

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

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

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

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

[[Page 15659]]

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, 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):

2014-06-01 M7 Aerospace LLC: Amendment 39-17805, Docket No. FAA-
2013-1057; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-041-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 25, 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 April 25, 2014(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 April 25, 2014 (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 April 25, 2014 (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 April 25, 2014 (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 April 25, 2014 (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.

[[Page 15660]]

(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 
April 25, 2014 (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 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, 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

    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.

(o) 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) M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Commuter Category Service 
Bulletin CC7-53-007 R1, revised November 6, 2013.
    (ii) M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-53-011 
R1, revised November 6, 2013.
    (iii) M7 Aerospace LLC SA26 Series Service Bulletin 26-53-001 
R1, revised November 6, 2013.
    (iv) M7 Aerospace LLC SA226 Series Service Bulletin 226-53-017 
R1, revised November 6, 2013.
    (3) For M7 Aerospace LLC 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.elbitsystems-us.com; email: none.
    (4) You may view this 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.
    (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 March 7, 2014.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-05613 Filed 3-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P