Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LLC
Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)
Proposed Rules
Pages 11469-11471
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2016-04677
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Docket No. FAA-2016-4256; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-002-AD
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LLC
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all M7 Aerospace LLC Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-
AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and SA227-TT airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of failed elevator control rod ends due to corrosion and lack of lubrication. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections and lubrication of the elevator control rod ends and bearings with replacement as necessary. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 18, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
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.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed 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: MetroTech@M7Aerospace.com. 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://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
4256; 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 proposed 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, FAA, ASW-143 (c/o San Antonio MIDO), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; phone: (210) 308-3365; fax: (210) 308-3370; email: andrew.mcanaul@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-4256; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-002-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed 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 proposed AD.
Discussion
The FAA received reports of broken elevator control rod link assemblies between the elevator torque tube and the elevator quadrant due to corrosion and lack of lubrication on M7 Aerospace SA26, SA226, and SA227 airplanes.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in increased friction and partial or complete loss of elevator control resulting in loss of pitch control.
Relevant Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed M7 Aerospace LLC Service Bulletin (SB) 226-27-080 R1, M7 Aerospace LLC SB 227-27-060 R1, and M7 Aerospace LLC SB CC7-27-032 R1, all Issued: November 5, 2015 and Revised: February 23, 2016. The service information describes procedures for inspection of the elevator control link assemblies between the elevator torque tubes and the elevator quadrant for frozen (stiff, hard to move) bearings or broken/
cracked links (rod ends) with instructions for lubrication and replacement if necessary. All of the related 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 the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections of the elevator control rod ends and bearings with replacement as necessary.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 350 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
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Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspection and lubrication.......... 2 work-hours x $85 per *NA $170 $59,500
hour = $170.
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* Not applicable
We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs/
replacements that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need these repairs/replacements:
On-condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace Rod End.............................. 4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $30 $370
$340.
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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
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
-
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
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The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
M7 Aerospace LLC: Docket No. FAA-2016-4256; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-002-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by April 18, 2016.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to M7 Aerospace LLC Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and SA227-TT airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 2730, Elevator Control System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of failed elevator control rod ends due to corrosion and lack of lubrication. We are issuing this AD to require initial and repetitive inspections and lubrication of the elevator control rod ends and bearings with replacement as necessary. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
(f) Compliance
Comply with paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(5) of this AD using the following service bulletins within the compliance times specified, unless already done:
(1) For Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), and SA226-TC: M7 Aerospace LLC Service Bulletin (SB) 226-27-080 R1, Issued: November 5, 2015 and Revised: February 23, 2016;
(2) For Models SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), and SA227-TT: M7 Aerospace LLC SB 227-27-060 R1, Issued: November 5, 2015 and Revised: February 23, 2016; or
(3) For Models SA227-CC and SA227-DC (C-26B): M7 Aerospace LLC SB CC7-27-032 R1, Issued: November 5, 2015 and Revised: February 23, 2016.
(g) Actions
(1) If abnormally high resistance is reported when operating the elevators, before further flight after the effective date of this AD, inspect and lubricate installed elevator control links following paragraph 2.A. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins identified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD, as applicable.
(2) Remove the elevator control links and inspect following paragraph 2.B. (and 2.C. when applicable) and lubricate the bearings following paragraph 2.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins identified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD, as applicable, at whichever of the following occurs first:
(i) At the next Zone related Phase or Letter Check inspection after the effective date of this AD or within the next 600 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later; or
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(ii) Within the next 6 months after the effective date of this AD.
(3) Repetitively remove and inspect the elevator control links not to exceed every 12 months following any inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD following paragraph 2.B. (and 2.C. when applicable) and lubricate the bearings following paragraph 2.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins identified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD, as applicable.
(4) If during any inspection required in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2) or (g)(3) of this AD, any link assemblies between the elevator torque tubes and the elevator quadrant are found to have frozen (stiff, hard to move) bearings or broken/cracked links (rod ends), before further flight, replace the rod ends following paragraph 2.D. and lubricate the bearings following with paragraph 2.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins identified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD, as applicable.
(5) Repetitively lubricate the rod end bearings (male and female) on both elevator control link assemblies following the time limits in paragraph 1.D.4) of the applicable SB, but not to exceed every 6 months, and following the procedures in paragraph 2.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins identified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD, as applicable.
(h) 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 paragraph (i) 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.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, ASW-143 (c/o San Antonio MIDO), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; phone: (210) 308-3365; fax: (210) 308-3370; email: andrew.mcanaul@faa.gov.
(2) 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: MetroTech@M7Aerospace.com. 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.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 25, 2016.
Robert P. Busto,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
FR Doc. 2016-04677 Filed 3-3-16; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
