Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models M20J, M20K, M20M, and M20R Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55324-55325]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27330]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-47-AD; Amendment 39-10834; AD 98-21-26]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models 
M20J, M20K, M20M, and M20R 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 certain Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Models M20J, 
M20K, M20M, and M20R airplanes. This AD requires grinding the surface 
of the main landing gear (MLG) leg bracket, inspecting this area for 
cracks, and replacing any cracked MLG leg bracket. This AD is the 
result of the manufacturing of several of the MLG leg brackets using 
laser pattern cutting. The brackets, when manufactured using this 
process, develop minor cracks at the bends, which could propagate over 
time. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure 
of the MLG side brace bolt caused by cracking of the MLG leg bracket, 
which could result in MLG collapse with consequent loss of control of 
the airplane during taxi, takeoff, or landing operations.

DATES: Effective November 26, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from 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 No. 98-CE-47-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: Mr. Bob D. May, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, 
Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5156; 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 certain Mooney Models 
M20J, M20K, M20M, and M20R airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on June 17, 1998 (63 
FR 33016). The NPRM proposed to require grinding the surface of the MLG 
leg bracket, part number (P/N) 510010; inspecting this area for cracks; 
and replacing any cracked MLG leg bracket. Accomplishment of the 
proposed surface grinding and inspection action as specified in the 
NPRM would be in accordance with Mooney Service Bulletin M20-265, dated 
April 13, 1998.
    Replacement of any cracked MLG leg bracket, if required, would be 
accomplished in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.
    The NPRM was the result of the manufacturing of several of the MLG 
leg brackets using laser pattern cutting. The brackets, when 
manufactured using this process, develop minor cracks at the bends, 
which could propagate over time.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

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 11 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish these actions, and that the average labor rate 
is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,280, or $480 
per airplane. These figures are based on the presumption that no 
affected airplane owner/operator has accomplished these actions. These 
figures do not account for the cost of any necessary replacement if any 
MLG leg bracket is found cracked. The FAA has no way of determining how 
many MLG leg brackets may be found cracked during this inspection.
    Mooney will provide warranty credit for up to 8 workhours that are 
necessary to comply with the requirements of this AD. Details are 
provided in Mooney Service Bulletin M20-265, dated April 13, 1998.

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

[[Page 55325]]

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.

Adoption 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--AIRWORTHINESS 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:

98-21-26 Mooney Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-10834; Docket No. 
98-CE-47-AD.

    Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers, 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Models                            Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
M20J.........................  24-3415 and 24-3416.
M20K.........................  25-2018 through 25-2021.
M20M.........................  27-0241.
M20R.........................  29-0135 through 29-0138.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (d) 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the main landing gear (MLG) side brace 
bolt caused by cracking of the MLG leg bracket, which could result 
in MLG collapse with consequent loss of control of the airplane 
during taxi, takeoff, or landing operations, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, accomplish the following in accordance 
with the INSTRUCTIONS section of Mooney Service Bulletin M20-265, 
dated April 13, 1998:
    (1) Grind the surface of the MLG leg bracket, part number (P/N) 
510010.
    (2) Inspect the area of the P/N 510010 MLG leg bracket for 
cracks.
    (b) Prior to further flight after the inspection required by 
paragraph (a)(2) of this AD, replace any cracked P/N 510010 MLG leg 
bracket with a new P/N 510010 MLG leg bracket. Accomplish this 
replacement in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office 
(ACO), 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, 
Forth Worth ACO.

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

    (e) The modification and inspection required by this AD shall be 
done in accordance with Mooney Service Bulletin M20-265, dated April 
13, 1998. 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 26, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 5, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27330 Filed 10-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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