Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models M20F, M20J, and M20L Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66266-66268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32849]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-CE-51-AD; Amendment 39-10251; AD 97-26-08]

RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models 
M20F, M20J, and M20L Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Models M20F, M20J, and 
M20L airplanes. This action requires removing the fuel cap retaining 
lanyard from the fuel filler cap assemblies. A report of lost engine 
power during flight because of fuel starvation prompted the action. The 
investigation revealed that the airplane fuel float became trapped by 
the fuel cap retaining lanyard, keeping the float from following the 
fuel

[[Page 66267]]

level. This condition caused the pilot to get a false fuel quantity 
reading. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss 
of engine power and fuel depletion during flight caused by a false fuel 
gauge reading.

DATES: Effective January 20, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
at Mooney Aircraft Corporation, Louis Schreiner Field, Kerrville, 
Texas, 78028. This information may also be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 96-CE-51-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Alma Ramirez-Hodge, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone (817) 222-5147; 
facsimile (817) 222-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to Mooney Models M20F, 
M20J, and M20L airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 
26, 1997 (62 FR 14359). The action proposed to require removing the 
lanyard (nylon type material) from the fuel cap assembly. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance with 
Mooney Aircraft Bulletin M20-259, Issue Date: September 1, 1996.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the one comment received.
    The commenter was opposed to the AD based on the premise that the 
total cost impact to the U.S. fleet outweighs the report of only one 
incident. The commenter goes on to say that if the pilot had been 
following good operating practices by doing a visual check of the fuel 
and using time as a basis for fuel consumption, there most probably 
wouldn't have been an incident to report. The commenter thinks the AD 
is not justified by one occurrence of a captured fuel cap lanyard.
    The FAA disagrees. The FAA believes that one incident, in some 
cases, does justify the issuance of an AD. When the single incident 
indicates that there could be a loss of engine power to the affected 
airplane model, the justification for the AD is the continued safe 
flight and safe landing of over 2,000 airplanes. The total cost impact 
per airplane is minimal, $60 per airplane, when compared to the damage 
that could be done, should another fuel cap lanyard become trapped. The 
pilot that experienced a loss of engine power in his/her airplane was 
fortunate to have landed safely and without further incident. 
Therefore, this final rule will not change as a result of this comment.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 2,526 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it would take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. There are no parts to include in this cost 
estimate. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $151,560 or $60 per airplane. The FAA 
has no way to determine how many owners/operators have already 
accomplished this action, and assumes that no operator has accomplished 
this action.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adopting of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORHTINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

97-26-08  Mooney Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-10251; Docket 
No. 96-CE-51-AD.

    Applicability: The following Models and serial numbered 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Models                           Serial numbers          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
M20F...............................  All serial numbers.                
M20J...............................  24-0001 through 24-3381.           
M20L...............................  26-0001 through 26-0041.           
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required within the next 50 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.

[[Page 66268]]

    To prevent loss of engine power and fuel depletion during flight 
caused by a false fuel gauge reading, accomplish the following:
    (a) Remove the lanyard (nylon type material) from the left-hand 
(LH) and right-hand (RH) fuel filler cap assembly in accordance with 
the INSTRUCTIONS section of Mooney Aircraft Corporation Service 
Bulletin M20-259, Issue Date: September 1, 1996.
    (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 
2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150. The request 
shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Fort Worth 
Airplane Certification Office.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office.

    (d) The removal required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with Mooney Aircraft Service Bulletin M20-259, Issue Date: September 
1, 1996. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Mooney Aircraft 
Corporation, Louis Schreiner Field, Kerrville, Texas, 78028. Copies 
may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment (39-10251) becomes effective on January 20, 
1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 9, 1997.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-32849 Filed 12-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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