Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. (Mooney) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 20, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16135-16137]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6521]



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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 54 / Tuesday, March 20, 2012 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 16135]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0275; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-009-AD; 
Amendment 39-16981; AD 2012-05-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. (Mooney) 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We are issuing an airworthiness directive (AD) for all Mooney 
Aviation Company, Inc. (Mooney) Models M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, 
M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, M20R, M20S, and M20TN airplanes that 
supersedes an existing AD that is applicable to certain Model M20R and 
M20TN airplanes. The existing AD currently requires inspecting the tail 
pitch trim assembly for correct positioning and proper attachment and 
inspecting the Huck Bolt fasteners for proper security with repair as 
necessary for certain Models M20R and M20TN. That AD also requires 
sending the inspection results to the FAA and Mooney. This AD retains 
all of the actions, except the reporting requirement from the previous 
AD and adds airplane models to the applicability. This AD was prompted 
by a report of an incident on a Mooney Model M20TN airplane regarding 
failure of the tail pitch trim assembly, which could result in loss of 
control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 20, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of March 20, 
2012.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by May 4, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Mooney 
Aviation Company, Inc., 165 Al Mooney Road North, Kerrville, Texas 
78028; telephone: (830) 896-6000; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: www.mooney.com. You may review copies of the 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; 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 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, 
ASW-150 (c/o MIDO-43), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, 
Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 308-3365; facsimile: (210) 308-3370; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On February 16, 2012, we issued AD 2012-03-52, amendment 39-16958 
(77 FR 12179, February 29, 2012), for certain Mooney Aviation Company, 
Inc. (Mooney) Models M20R and M20TN airplanes. That AD requires 
inspecting the tail pitch trim assembly for correct positioning and 
proper attachment and inspecting the Huck Bolt fasteners for proper 
security with repair as necessary. That AD also requires sending the 
inspection results to the FAA and Mooney. That AD resulted from a 
report of an incident on a Mooney Model M20TN airplane regarding 
failure of the tail pitch trim assembly, which could result in loss of 
control. We issued that AD to detect incorrect positioning and improper 
attachment of the trim fitting, hinge, and filler plate of the tail 
pitch trim assembly and to verify security of the attaching Huck Bolt 
fasteners, which could lead to failure of the tail pitch trim assembly 
with consequent loss of pitch control.

Actions Since AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2012-03-52 (77 FR 12179, February 29, 2012), we 
received a report from an owner/operator of a Model M20J airplane who 
had the airplane inspected and found the same unsafe condition. Since 
the Models M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, 
and M20S airplanes have the same type design as the Models M20R and 
M20TN airplanes, we determined that these airplanes should be added to 
the applicability of the AD to ensure that the unsafe condition is 
addressed on all airplanes of the type design.
    Also, Mooney published new service information that includes the 
expanded airplane applicability and instructions for installing 
replacement fasteners, if necessary.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. Service Bulletin No. M20-
313A, dated February 29, 2012; and Service Bulletin No. M20-314A, dated 
February 29, 2012. The service information describes procedures for 
inspecting the tail pitch trim assembly for correct positioning and 
proper attachment, inspecting the Huck Bolt fasteners for proper 
security, and installing replacement fasteners, if necessary.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information

[[Page 16136]]

and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to 
exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires inspecting the trim fitting, hinge, and filler 
plate of the tail pitch trim assembly for correct positioning and 
proper attachment, and inspecting the Huck Bolt fasteners for proper 
security on all Mooney Models M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, 
M20K, M20L, M20M, M20R, M20S, and M20TN airplanes. If incorrect 
positioning or improper/loose attachment is found, this AD requires 
installing replacement parts and fasteners. These are the same actions 
currently required by AD 2012-03-52 for certain Mooney Models M20R and 
M20TN airplanes, except the reporting requirement is no longer 
required.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because 
failure of the tail pitch trim assembly could result in loss of 
control. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for making 
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite 
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send 
your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include 
the docket number FAA-2012-0275 and directorate identifier 2012-CE-009-
AD at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments 
on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects 
of this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 6,630 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 of the trim fitting,     1 work-hour x $85 per      Not applicable......        $85         $563,550
 hinge, and filler plate of the      hour = $85.
 tail pitch trim assembly, and
 security of the Huck Bolt
 fasteners.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacement of 
the parts and Huck Bolt fasteners that will be required based on the 
results of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need this repair:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Cost per
                    Action                                   Labor cost                Parts cost      product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation of replacement parts and          16 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,360         $302        $1,662
 fasteners, including repair of an
 incorrectly positioned and/or improperly
 attached tail pitch trim assembly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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.

[[Page 16137]]

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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2012-03-52, Amendment 39-16958 (77 FR 12179, February 29, 2012) and 
adding the following new AD:

2012-05-09 Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. (Mooney): Amendment 39-
16981; Docket No. FAA-2012-0275; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-009-
AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 20, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2012-03-52, Amendment 39-16958 (77 FR 
12179, February 29, 2012).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. (Mooney) Models 
M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, M20R, 
M20S, and M20TN airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 55; Stabilizers.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of an incident on a Mooney 
Model M20TN airplane regarding failure of the tail pitch trim 
assembly and the potential for this condition to exist on other 
airplane models, which could result in loss of control. We are 
issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection

    Within the next 10 hours time-in-service March 20, 2012 (after 
the effective date of this AD), inspect the trim fitting, hinge, and 
filler plate of the tail pitch trim assembly for correct positioning 
and proper attachment; and also inspect that the Huck Bolt fasteners 
are properly secured following Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. Service 
Bulletin No. M20-313A, dated February 29, 2012.

(h) Corrective Action

    If during the inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD 
you find incorrect positioning or improper attachment of the trim 
fitting, hinge, and filler plate of the tail pitch trim assembly; 
and/or you find loose or improperly installed Huck Bolt fasteners, 
before further flight, repair and correct the discrepancies 
following Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. Service Bulletin No. M20-
314A, dated February 29, 2012.

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

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for inspections required in 
paragraph (g) of this AD if already done before March 20, 2012 (the 
effective date of this AD) following Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. 
Service Bulletin No. M20-313, dated February 7, 2012.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for repairs required in 
paragraph (h) of this AD if already done before March 20, 2012 (the 
effective date of this AD) following Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. 
Service Bulletin No. M20-314, dated February 10, 2012.

(j) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited for this AD.

 (k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Fort Worth ACO, 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 the Related Information section 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.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Andrew McAnaul, 
Aerospace Engineer, ASW-150 (c/o MIDO-43), 10100 Reunion Place, 
Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 308-3365; 
facsimile: (210) 308-3370; email: [email protected].

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51: (i) Mooney 
Aviation Company, Inc. Service Bulletin No. M20-313A, dated February 
29, 2012; and
    (ii) Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. Service Bulletin No. M20-
314A, dated February 29, 2012.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Mooney Aviation Company, Inc., 165 Al Mooney Road North, Kerrville, 
Texas 78028; telephone: (830) 896-6000; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: www.mooney.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the 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 13, 2012.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-6521 Filed 3-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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