Airworthiness Directives; Mooney International Corporation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 2, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29486-29488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11443]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0223; Project Identifier AD-2020-00539-A; 
Amendment 39-21550; AD 2021-10-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Mooney International Corporation 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Mooney International Corporation (Mooney) Model M20V airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by reports of short circuit and arcing of the 
alternator main power cable in the engine compartment. This condition, 
if unaddressed, could result in a fire hazard, loss of engine thrust 
control, and reduced control of the airplane. This AD requires 
inspecting the alternator main power cable and the exhaust crossover 
tube for damage, replacing damaged parts as necessary, and installing 
an additional alternator cable clamp. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 7, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 7, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Mooney International Corporation, 165 Al Mooney Road, North 
Kerrville, TX 78028; phone: (800) 456-3033; email: [email protected]. 
You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, 
MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA 2021-
0223.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0223; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any 
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket 
Operations is 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: Jacob Fitch, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 
phone: (817) 222-4130; fax: (817) 222-5245; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered 
Mooney Model M20V airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on March 9, 2021 (86 FR 13502; corrected March 17, 2021, 86 FR 14554). 
The NPRM was prompted by reports of short circuit and arcing of the 
alternator main power cable in the engine compartment. Mooney 
determined the alternator main power cable was incorrectly positioned 
with slack in the cable and allowed contact between the alternator main 
power cable and turbocharger right-hand (RH) exhaust crossover tube. In 
one instance, this contact caused arcing of the alternator main power 
cable and created a hole in the RH exhaust crossover tube, which may 
result in a fire hazard. A damaged crossover tube may also decrease 
effectiveness of the turbochargers and cause complete loss of engine 
power at higher altitudes (above 9,000 ft. above sea level). In the 
NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting the alternator main power 
cable and the exhaust crossover tube and modifying the alternator main 
power cable routing by installing an additional alternator cable clamp, 
part number (P/N) MS21919WCJ6. This condition, if not addressed, could 
result in an inflight fire and loss of engine thrust control, which may 
lead to reduced control of the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Mooney International Corporation Service Bulletin 
M20-340C, dated February 14, 2020. The service information specifies 
inspecting the alternator main power cable and the exhaust crossover 
tube for damage and replacing damaged parts as necessary. The service 
information also contains procedures for modifying the alternator main 
power cable routing by installing an additional alternator cable clamp, 
P/N MS21919WCJ6.

[[Page 29487]]

    This 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 ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 18 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect the cable and exhaust           .5 work-hour x $85 per                $0          $42.50            $765
 crossover tube for damage.              hour = $42.50.
Install additional cable clamp........  .5 work-hour x $85 per                10           52.50             945
                                         hour = $42.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace alternator main power cable...........  8 work-hours x $85 per hour =             $1,000          $1,680
                                                 $680.
Replace exhaust crossover tube................  8 work-hours x $85 per hour =              2,500           3,180
                                                 $680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

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.
    The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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.

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:

2021-10-17 Mooney International Corporation: Amendment 39-21550; 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0223; Project Identifier AD-2020-00539-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 7, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Mooney International Corporation Model M20V 
airplanes, serial numbers 33-0001 through 33-0018, certificated in 
any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component Code 2400, Electrical Power 
System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of short circuit and arcing of 
the alternator main power cable in the engine compartment. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to prevent arcing of the alternator main power 
cable in the engine compartment. This condition, if not addressed, 
could result in an inflight fire and loss of engine thrust control, 
which may lead to reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD before further flight after the effective 
date of this AD, unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Inspect the alternator main power cable and the exhaust 
crossover tube for burn marks, chafing, holes, and cracks, and 
replace any cable and crossover tube that has a burn mark, chafing, 
a hole, or a crack.
    (2) Install an additional alternator cable clamp part number 
MS21919WCJ6 and ensure correct routing of the alternator main power 
cable by following steps 1.5. through 1.9. of the Instructions in 
Mooney International Corporation Service Bulletin M20-340C, dated 
February 14, 2020.

[[Page 29488]]

(h) Special Flight Permit

    A special flight permit may be issued with the following 
limitations:
    (1) Flights must not carry passengers;
    (2) Operation in daytime visual meteorological conditions only;
    (3) Straight and level flight must be maintained;
    (4) Operation in areas of known turbulence prohibited; and
    (5) Altitude limited to 9,000 ft. above sea level.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Fort Worth ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in Related Information.
    (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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Jacob Fitch, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood 
Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; phone: (817) 222-4130; fax: (817) 222-
5245; email: [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) Mooney International Corporation Service Bulletin M20-340C, 
dated February 14, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Mooney International Corporation service information 
identified in this AD, contact Mooney International Corporation, 165 
Al Mooney Road, North Kerrville, TX 78028; phone: (800) 456-3033; 
email: [email protected].
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, MO 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, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on May 5, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-11443 Filed 6-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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