Document ID: FAA-2016-4256-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: M7 Aerospace LLC Airplanes
Posted Date: 2016-05-11T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 11, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29123-29125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10872]

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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; 
Amendment 39-18512; AD 2016-10-01]
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), and 
SA227-TT airplanes. We received reports of failed elevator control rod 
ends due to corrosion and lack of lubrication. This AD requires initial 
and repetitive inspections and lubrication of the elevator control rod 
ends and bearings with replacement as necessary. We are issuing this AD 
to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 15, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 15, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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. It 
is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-4256.

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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and

[[Page 29124]]

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-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:

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), and SA227-TT airplanes. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 4, 2016 (81 FR 
11469). The NPRM was prompted by 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. The NPRM proposed to require initial and 
repetitive inspections of the elevator control rod ends and bearings 
with replacement as necessary. 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 (81 FR 11469, March 4, 
2016) 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 (81 FR 11469, March 4, 2016) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (81 FR 11469, March 4, 2016).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed M7 Aerospace 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 350 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection and lubrication........  2 work-hours x $85     Not applicable.......            $170         $59,500
                                     per hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs/
replacements 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/replacements:

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

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

[[Page 29125]]

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):

2016-10-01 M7 Aerospace LLC: Amendment 39-18512; Docket No. FAA-
2016-4256; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-002-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective June 15, 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 June 15, 2016 (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 June 15, 2016 (the effective date of this AD) or within the 
next 600 hours time-in-service after June 15, 2016 (the effective 
date of this AD), whichever occurs later; or
    (ii) Within the next 6 months after June 15, 2016 (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

    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.

(j) 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 Service Bulletin (SB) 226-27-080 R1, dated 
February 23, 2016;
    (ii) M7 Aerospace LLC SB 227-27-060 R1, dated February 23, 2016; 
and
    (iii) M7 Aerospace LLC SB CC7-27-032 R1, dated February 23, 
2016.
    (3) For M7 Aerospace LLC 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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 May 3, 2016.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-10872 Filed 5-10-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P