Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LLC Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42660-42663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17053]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0308; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-012-AD; 
Amendment 39-17903; AD 2014-15-01]
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 M7 
Aerospace LLC Models SA227-AT, SA227-AC, SA227-BC, SA227-CC, and SA227-
DC airplanes equipped with a bayonet shear pin main cabin door latching 
mechanism. This AD was prompted by fatigue cracks found in the internal 
door surround doubler, the fuselage external skin, and the door corner 
fittings at the fuselage upper forward corner of the main cabin door 
cutout. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the four corners of 
the main cabin door cutout for cracks, making necessary repairs, and 
reporting inspection results to M7 Aerospace LLC. We are issuing this 
AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 27, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 27, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: For 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: [email protected]. 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://

[[Page 42661]]

www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0308; 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: [email protected].

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 M7 Aerospace LLC Models 
SA227-AT, SA227-AC, SA227-BC, SA227-CC, and SA227-DC airplanes equipped 
with a bayonet shear pin main cabin door latching mechanism. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on May 14, 2014 (79 FR 27505).
    The NPRM was prompted by reports of fatigue cracking of the main 
cabin door surround structure. Investigation revealed that the fatigue 
cracks are related to a change in loading due to design changes in the 
door surround structure and the door latching system. 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 (79 FR 27505, May 14, 
2014) 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. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 27505, May 14, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 27505, May 14, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 250 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Threshold high frequency eddy       2.5 work-hours x $85  Not Applicable......         $212.50          $53,125
 current (HFEC)/low frequency eddy   per hour = $212.50.
 current (LFEC)/detailed visual
 inspection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs that 
will be required based on the results of the 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 cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair Installation..........................  48 work-hours x $85 per hour =           $6,670          $10,750
                                                $4,080.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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,

[[Page 42662]]

    (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):

2014-15-01 M7 Aerospace LLC: Amendment 39-17903; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0308; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-012-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 27, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the M7 Aerospace LLC airplanes listed in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(5) of this AD that are equipped with a 
bayonet shear pin main cabin door latching mechanism and are 
certificated in any category. Airplanes equipped with a ``click-
clack'' main cabin door latching mechanism are not affected by this 
AD. Figure 3 of M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Commuter Category 
Service Bulletin CC7-53-005, and M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series 
Service Bulletin 227-53-009, both dated November 15, 2013, is a 
picture showing both styles of latching mechanisms.
    (1) Model SA227-AT airplanes, serial numbers (S/Ns) AT570 
through AT631, and AT695.
    (2) Model SA227-AC airplanes, S/Ns AC570 through AC788.
    (3) Model SA227-BC airplanes, S/Ns BC762, BC764, BC766, and 
BC770 through BC789.
    (4) Model SA227-CC airplanes, S/N CC827, CC829, and CC840 
through CC844.
    (5) Model SA227-DC airplanes, S/Ns DC784, DC790 through DC826, 
DC828, DC830 through DC839, and DC845 through DC904.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America--Code 5310, Fuselage Main, Structure.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by fatigue cracks found in the internal 
door surround doubler, the external skin fuselage skin, and the door 
corner fittings at the fuselage upper forward corner of the main 
cabin door cutout. We are issuing the AD to prevent decompression 
failure with possible loss of structural integrity of the cabin 
structure.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified in 
paragraph (g) through paragraph (k) of this AD, including all 
subparagraphs, unless already done.

(g) Inspections

    (1) Do the initial inspections of the fuselage upper forward 
corner and other 3 corners of the main cabin door cutout for cracks 
following Table 1 in Step 2. ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS of M7 
Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Commuter Category Service Bulletin CC7-
53-005 or M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-53-009, 
both dated November 15, 2013, as applicable. Do the inspections at 
the compliance times specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through 
(g)(1)(iv) of this AD. For the purposes of this AD, owner/operators 
who do not track total aircraft flight cycles (TAC), use a .5 to 1 
conversion, e.g., 35,000 TAC is equivalent to 17,500 hours time-in-
service (TIS). For owner/operators who do not track flight cycles, 
use a 1 to 1 conversion, e.g., 300 flight cycles are equivalent to 
300 hours TIS.
    (i) For aircraft with more than 35,000 TAC, inspect within the 
next 300 flight cycles after August 27, 2014 (the effective date of 
this AD).
    (ii) For aircraft with 20,001--35,000 TAC, inspect within the 
next 600 flight cycles after August 27, 2014 (the effective date of 
this AD).
    (iii) For aircraft with 12,000--20,000 TAC, inspect within the 
next 1,000 flight cycles after August 27, 2014 (the effective date 
of this AD).
    (iv) For aircraft with less than 12,000 TAC, inspect at 12,000 
flight cycles or within the next 1,000 flight cycles after August 
27, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later.
    (2) If no cracks are found during the inspections required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, repetitively thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 2,000 flight cycles do the inspections of the fuselage 
upper forward corner and other 3 corners of the main cabin door 
cutout for cracks following Table 1 in Step 2. ACCOMPLISHMENT 
INSTRUCTIONS of M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Commuter Category 
Service Bulletin CC7-53-005 or M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service 
Bulletin 227-53-009, both dated November 15, 2013, as applicable.

(h) Repair Cracks and Repetitively Inspect

    (1) If any cracks are found during any inspection required in 
paragraph (g) through paragraph (i) of this AD, before further 
flight after the inspection in which a crack is found, repair or 
replace the cracked structure following Step 3. REPAIR OF CRACKED 
INNER DOUBLE, Step 4. REPAIR OF CRACKED FUSELAGE SKIN, and/or Step 
5. REPAIR OF CRACKED CORNER FITTING of M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series 
Commuter Category Service Bulletin CC7-53-005, or M7 Aerospace LLC 
SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-53-009, both dated November 15, 
2013, as applicable.
    (2) If you made the repairs required in paragraph (h)(1) of this 
AD by installing repair kit drawing 27K24191-001, do the threshold 
and repeat inspections following Table 2 in Step 2. ACCOMPLISHMENT 
INSTRUCTIONS of M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Commuter Category 
Service Bulletin CC7-53-005, dated November 15, 2013; or M7 
Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-53-009, dated 
November 15, 2013, as applicable.
    (3) If you made the repairs required in paragraph (h)(1) of this 
AD by replacing the fuselage skin by installing repair kit drawing 
27K24191-003, or if the corner fitting was replaced and no other 
cracks are present, repetitively thereafter inspect following Table 
1 in Step 2. ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS of M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 
Series Commuter Category Service Bulletin CC7-53-005, or M7 
Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-53-009, both dated 
November 15, 2013, as applicable.

(i) Extend Repetitive Inspection Intervals

    After any inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) and (g)(2) of 
this AD and if no damage, defects, or cracks are found, you may 
install repair kit drawing 27K24191-001 following Step 6. ADDITION 
OF KIT DRAWING REPAIR MEMBERS AS PREVENTATIVE ACTION of M7 Aerospace 
LLC SA227 Series Commuter Category Service Bulletin CC7-53-005, or 
M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-53-009, both 
dated November 15, 2013, as applicable, to extend the inspection 
intervals. After installing repair kit drawing 27K24191-001, do the 
threshold and repeat inspections following Table 3 of Step 2. 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS of M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series 
Commuter Category Service Bulletin CC7-53-005, or M7 Aerospace LLC 
SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-53-009, both dated November 15, 
2013, as applicable.

(j) Reporting Requirement

    Within 30 days after any inspection required by paragraph (g) 
through paragraph (i) of this AD where a crack or any other damage 
is found, report the results of that inspection to M7 Aerospace LLC 
following the instructions specified in Step 2.I. of the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS of M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series 
Commuter Category Service Bulletin CC7-53-005, dated November 15, 
2013; or Step 2.J. of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS of M7 
Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-53-009, dated 
November 15, 2013, as applicable.

(k) Credit for Previous Repairs

    As of August 27, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), owner/
operators who had the an

[[Page 42663]]

inspection and any resulting repairs done before the effective date 
of this AD using procedures different from those specified in M7 
Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Commuter Category Service Bulletin CC7-
53-005, dated November 15, 2013; and M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series 
Service Bulletin 227-53-009, dated November 15, 2013, may apply for 
an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) following the 
instructions in paragraph (m) of this AD.

(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 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.

(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: [email protected].

(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 CC7-53-005, dated November 15, 2013.
    (ii) M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-53-009, 
dated November 15, 2013.
    (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.m7aerospace.com; email: [email protected].
    (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 July 14, 2014.
Kelly A. Broadway,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-17053 Filed 7-22-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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