Airworthiness Directives: M7 Aerospace LP Models SA226 AT, SA226 T, SA226 TC, SA227 AC (C 26A), SA227 AT, SA227 BC (C 26A), SA227 CC, and SA227 DC (C 26B) Airplanes

Federal Register: February 12, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 28)

Proposed Rules

Page 7006-7010

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr12fe09-14

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. FAA-2009-0119; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-068-AD

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LP Models SA226-AT, SA226-

T, SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, and SA227-DC (C-26B) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of

Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-12- 16, which applies to certain M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 series airplanes. AD 2008-12-16 currently requires you to inspect wires and tube assemblies for chafing, arcing, or insufficient clearance between components. If chafing, arcing, or insufficient clearance between components is found, AD 2008-12-16 requires you to clear, repair, and/ or replace all chafed wires, components, and tube assemblies. AD 2008- 12-16 also requires you to cover the four-gauge wires leaving the battery box with firesleeving and secure them with a clamp. Since we issued AD 2008-12-16, M7 Aerospace LP has notified us that Model SA227-

BC (C-26A) was inadvertently left out of the Applicability section of the AD and they updated some of the service information due to parts availability. Operators have also identified issues with model applicability that needed clarification. Consequently, this proposed AD would retain the actions of AD 2008-12-16, add Model SA227-BC (C-26A) to the Applicability section, and regroup the models for clarification.

We are proposing this AD to detect and correct chafing of electrical wires, components, and tube assemblies. This condition could result in arcing of exposed wires with consequent burning of a hole in a hydraulic line or the bleed air line. This failure could lead to a hydraulic fluid leak and a possible fire in the engine nacelle compartment.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 13, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this proposed AD:

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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket

Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New

Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, 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 Repair Station, 10823 NE Entrance Road, San Antonio, Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 824-9421; fax: (210) 804-7766; Internet: http:/

/www.m7aerospace.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Werner Koch, Aerospace Engineer, ASW- 150, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort

Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5133; fax: (817) 222-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA- 2009-0119; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-068-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed

AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light 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 concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

Five reports of chafing between the bleed air tube assembly and the electrical starter cables on M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 series airplanes, with one incident resulting in a fire, caused us to issue AD 2008-12-16, Amendment 39-15560 (73 FR 34615, June 18, 2008). AD 2008- 12-16 currently requires the following on M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and

SA227 series airplanes:

Inspect electrical wires and components, hydraulic tube assemblies, and bleed air tube assemblies, for sufficient clearance between components or any evidence of chafing or arcing;

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Clear, repair, and/or replace all chafed electrical wires and components, chafed hydraulic tube assemblies, and chafed bleed air tube assemblies; and

Cover the four-gauge wires leaving the battery box with firesleeving and secure them with a clamp.

Since we issued AD 2008-12-16, M7 Aerospace LP has notified us that

Model SA227-BC (C-26A) was inadvertently left out of the Applicability section of the AD and they updated some of the service information due to parts availability. Operators have also identified issues with the model applicability that needed clarification. Consequently, this proposed AD would retain the actions of AD 2008-12-16, add the Model

SA227-BC (C-26A) to the Applicability section, and regroup the models for clarification. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct chafing of electrical wires, components, and tube assemblies.

This condition could result in arcing of the exposed wires with consequent burning of a hole in a hydraulic line or the bleed air line.

This failure could lead to a hydraulic fluid leak and a possible fire in the engine nacelle compartment.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed the following service bulletins and procedures:

Service bulletin

Applicable models

Procedures described

Fairchild Aircraft Corporation SA226 Series

SA226-AT, SA226-T, and SA226-TC. Inspecting the battery cables

Service Bulletin 226-24-019, revised:

and covering the four-gauge

November 21, 2008.

wires leaving the battery box with firesleeving and securing them with a clamp.

Fairchild Aircraft Corporation SA227 Series

SA227-AC, SA227-AT, and SA227-BC

Service Bulletin No. SB227-24-001, revised:

(C-26A).

November 21, 2008.

M7 Aerospace SA226 Series Service Bulletin

SA226-AT and SA226-TC........... Rerouting the hydraulic tube

No. 226-24-020, revised: August 4, 2008.

assemblies in the right wing leading edge, rerouting the battery cables and 22-gauge wire bundle, and installing a new access panel forward of the battery box.

M7 Aerospace SA227 Series Service Bulletin

SA227-AC and SA227-AT...........

No. 227-24-002, revised: November 21, 2008.

M7 Aerospace SA226 Series Service Bulletin

SA226AT, SA226-T, and SA226TC... Inspecting electrical wires and

No. 226-24-036, revised: November 21, 2008.

components, hydraulic tube assemblies, and bleed air tube assemblies at the inboard wing leading edge/battery box areas, wing stations 51.167 to 81.174, and the feed-through locations into the inboard keelson.

M7 Aerospace SA227 Series Service Bulletin

SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-BC (C-

No. 227-24-019, revised: November 21, 2008. 26A), and SA227-AT.

M7 Aerospace SA227 Series Commuter Category

SA227-CC and SA227-DC (C-26B)...

Service Bulletin No. CC7-24-010, revised:

November 21, 2008.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD would supersede AD 2008-12-16 with a new AD that would retain the actions of AD 2008-12-16, add Model SA227-BC (C26A) to the

Applicability section, and regroup the models for clarification. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct chafing of electrical wires, components, and tube assemblies. This proposed AD would require you to use the service information described previously to perform these actions.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 268 airplanes in the

U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:

Total cost per

Total cost on

Labor cost

Parts cost

airplane

U.S. operators

4 work-hours x $80 per hour = $320......... Not Applicable...............

$320

$85,760

We estimate the following costs to do any necessary modifications for certain Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-TC, SA227-AC, and SA227-AT airplanes referenced in M7 Aerospace SA226 Series Service Bulletin 226- 24-019, revised: November 21, 2008; or M7 Aerospace SA227 Series

Service Bulletin 227-24-001, revised: November 21, 2008. We estimate 88 airplanes may need this modification:

Total cost per

Total cost on

Labor cost

Parts cost

airplane

U.S. operators

13 work-hours x $80 per hour = $1,040..................

$7

$1,047

$92,136

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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs for certain Models SA226-AT, SA226-TC, SA227-AC, and SA227-AT referenced in

M7 Aerospace SA226 Series Service Bulletin 226-24-020, revised: August 4, 2008; or M7 Aerospace SA227 Series Service Bulletin 227-24-002, revised: November 21, 2008. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need this repair:

Total cost per

Labor cost

Parts cost

airplane

50 work-hours x $80 per hour =

$3,000

$7,000

$4,000...........................

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 have 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 that the 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); 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket

Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive

(AD) 2008-12-16, Amendment 39-15560 (73 FR 34615, June 18, 2008), and adding the following new AD:

M7 Aerospace LP: Docket No. FAA-2009-0119; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-068-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive

(AD) action by April 13, 2009.

Affected ADs

(b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-12-16, Amendment 39-15560.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-TC,

SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, and SA227-DC

(C-26B) airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from five reports of chafing between the bleed air tube assembly and the electrical starter cables on M7

Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 series airplanes with one incident resulting in a fire. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct chafing of electrical wires and components, hydraulic tube assemblies, and bleed air tube assemblies. This condition could result in arcing of the exposed wires with consequent burning of a hole in a hydraulic line or the bleed air line. This failure could lead to a possible hydraulic fluid leak and fire in the engine nacelle compartment.

Compliance

(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless already done:

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Actions

Compliance

Procedures

(1) For airplanes with the following Model

Within 250 hours time-in-service Use the following service

Numbers (M/N) and Serial Numbers (S/N),

(TIS) after July 23, 2008 (the information as applicable: inspect the main battery leads running

effective date of AD 2008-12-

(A) For Models SA226-AT, SA226- forward from the battery compartment for

16).

T, and SA226-TC airplanes: deterioration, cover the four-gauge wires

Follow M7 Aerospace SA226 leaving the battery box with firesleeving,

Series Service Bulletin No. and secure them with a clamp:

226-24-019, revised: November

(i) M/N SA226-AT, S/N AT-001 through AT-419;

21, 2008; or Fairchild

(ii) M/N SA226-T, S/N T-201 through T-248;

Aircraft Corporation SA226

(iii) M/N SA226-TC, S/N TC-201 through TC-

Series Service Bulletin No. SB 419;

24-019, revised: May 17, 1983;

(iv) M/N SA227-AC (C-26A), S/N AC-420 through

or

AC-539, AC-541, AC-543, AC-544, AC-547

(B) For Models SA227-AC (C-26A) through AC-551; and

and SA227-AT airplanes: Follow

(v) M/N SA227-AT, S/N AT-423 through AT-551.

M7 Aerospace SA227 Series

Service Bulletin No. 227-24- 001, revised: November 21, 2008; or Fairchild Aircraft

Corporation SA227 Series

Service Bulletin No. SB24-001, revised: May 17, 1983.

(2) For airplanes with the following M/Ns and Before further flight after the Use the following service

S/Ns, reroute the hydraulic tube assemblies modification required in

information as applicable: in the right wing leading edge, reroute the paragraph (e)(1) of this AD and (A) For Models SA226-AT, and battery cables and 22-gauge wire bundle, and you were not able to obtain a

SA226-TC airplanes: Follow M7 install a new access panel forward of the

minimum 0.50-inch clearance

Aerospace SA226 Series Service battery box:

between the bleed air line and

Bulletin No. 226-24-020,

(i) M/N SA226-AT, S/N AT-001 through AT-074; the tubing on the battery

revised: August 4, 2008; or

(ii) M/N SA226-TC, S/N TC-201 through TC-419; cables.

Fairchild Aircraft Corporation

(iii) M/N SA227-AC (C-26A), S/N AC-420

SA226 Series Service Bulletin through AC-539, AC-541, AC-543, AC-544, AC-

No. SB 24-020, revised: 547 through AC-550; and

February 15, 1984; or

(iv) M/N SA227-AT, S/N AT-423 through AT-551.

(B) For Models SA227-AC (C-26A) and SA227-AT, airplanes:

Follow M7 Aerospace SA227

Series Service Bulletin No. 227-24-002, revised: November 21, 2008; or Fairchild

Aircraft Corporation SA227

Series Service Bulletin No.

SB24-002, revised: February 15, 1984.

(3) For airplane Models SA226-AT, SA226-T,

Within 250 hours TIS after July Use the following service

SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227- 23, 2008 (the effective date of information as applicable:

CC, and SA227-DC (C-26B): Inspect electrical AD 2008-12-16). Repetitively

(i) For Models SA226-AT, SA226- wires and components, hydraulic tube

thereafter inspect at intervals T, and SA226-TC airplanes: assemblies, and bleed air tube assemblies at not to exceed 12 months.

Follow M7 Aerospace SA226 the left hand and right hand (LH/RH) inboard

Series Service Bulletin No. wing leading edge/battery box areas, LH/RH

226-24-036, revised November wing stations 51.167 to 81.174, and at all

21, 2008; or M7 Aerospace feed-through locations into the LH/RH

SA226 Series Service Bulletin inboard keelson for any evidence of chafing

No. 226-24-036, issued: or arcing.

September 19, 2007;

(ii) For Models SA227-AC (C- 26A) and SA227-AT, airplanes:

Follow M7 Aerospace SA227

Series Service Bulletin No. 227-24-019, revised: November 21, 2008; or M7 Aerospace

SA227 Series Service Bulletin

No. 227-24-019, issued:

September 19, 2007; or

(iii) For Models SA227-CC and

SA227-DC (C-26B) airplanes:

Follow SA227 Series Commuter

Category Service Bulletin No.

CC7-24-010, revised November 21, 2008; or SA227 Series

Commuter Category Service

Bulletin No. CC7-24-010, issued September 19, 2007.

(4) For airplane Model SA227-BC (C-26A):

Within 250 hours TIS after the

Follow M7 Aerospace SA227

Inspect the main battery leads running

effective date of this AD.

Series Service Bulletin No. forward from the battery compartment for any

227-24-001, revised: November evidence of insulation deterioration.

21, 2008.

(5) For airplane Model SA227-BC (C-26A):

Within 250 hours TIS after the

Follow M7 Aerospace SA227

Inspect electrical wires and components,

effective date of this AD.

Series Service Bulletin No. hydraulic tube assemblies, and bleed air

Repetitively thereafter inspect 227-24-019, revised: November tube assemblies at LH/RH inboard wing

at intervals not to exceed 12

21, 2008. leading edge/battery box areas, LH/RH wing

months. stations 51.167 to 81.174, and at all feed- through locations into the LH/RH inboard keelson for any evidence of insulation deterioration, chafing, or arcing.

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(6) For all airplane Models: Clear, repair,

Before further flight after any Use the service information and/or replace all electrical wires and

inspection required in

from paragraphs (e)(1), components, hydraulic tube assemblies, and

paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(3),

(e)(3), (e)(4), and (e)(5) of bleed air tube assemblies, in the inspection (e)(4), and (e)(5) of this AD

this AD, as applicable. area and feed-through locations that show

where any evidence of any sign of insulation deterioration,

insulation deterioration, chafing, or arcing, as required.

chafing, or arcing was found.

Note: Although not a requirement of this AD, you may incorporate

Swearingen Aviation Corporation SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. 57-010, revised: December 5, 1975, on those airplanes that have not installed the access panel. Installation of the access panel will simplify the incorporation of the service bulletins referenced in this AD and future inspections of the areas of concern.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(f) 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. Send information to ATTN:

Werner Koch, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-150, Fort Worth Airplane

Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5133; fax: (817) 222-5960. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards

District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

Related Information

(g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this

AD, contact M7 Aerospace Repair Station, 10823 NE Entrance Road, San

Antonio, Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 824-9421; fax: (210) 804- 7766; Internet: http://www.m7aerospace.com. To view the AD docket, go to U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,

West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue,

SE., Washington, DC 20590, or on the Internet at http:// www.regulations.gov.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 6, 2009.

Kim Smith,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

FR Doc. E9-3012 Filed 2-11-09; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P