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AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
SUMMARY: We are issuing an airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Mooney
Aviation Company, Inc. (Mooney) Models M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F,
M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, M20R, M20S, and M20TN airplanes that
supersedes an existing AD that is applicable to certain Model M20R and
M20TN airplanes. The existing AD currently requires inspecting the tail
pitch trim assembly for correct positioning and proper attachment and
inspecting the Huck Bolt fasteners for proper security with repair as
necessary for certain Models M20R and M20TN. That AD also requires
sending the inspection results to the FAA and Mooney. This AD retains
all of the actions, except the reporting requirement from the previous
AD and adds airplane models to the applicability. This AD was prompted
by a report of an incident on a Mooney Model M20TN airplane regarding
failure of the tail pitch trim assembly, which could result in loss of
control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 20, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of March 20,
2012.
We must receive any comments on this AD by May 4, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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: 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 AD, contact Mooney
Aviation Company, Inc., 165 Al Mooney Road North, Kerrville, Texas
78028; telephone: (830) 896-6000; email: technicalsupport@mooney.com;
Internet: www.mooney.com. You may review copies of the 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;
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 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,
ASW-150 (c/o MIDO-43), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio,
Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 308-3365; facsimile: (210) 308-3370;
email: andrew.mcanaul@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On February 16, 2012, we issued AD 2012-03-52, amendment 39-16958
(77 FR 12179, February 29, 2012), for certain Mooney Aviation Company,
Inc. (Mooney) Models M20R and M20TN airplanes. That AD requires
inspecting the tail pitch trim assembly for correct positioning and
proper attachment and inspecting the Huck Bolt fasteners for proper
security with repair as necessary. That AD also requires sending the
inspection results to the FAA and Mooney. That AD resulted from a
report of an incident on a Mooney Model M20TN airplane regarding
failure of the tail pitch trim assembly, which could result in loss of
control. We issued that AD to detect incorrect positioning and improper
attachment of the trim fitting, hinge, and filler plate of the tail
pitch trim assembly and to verify security of the attaching Huck Bolt
fasteners, which could lead to failure of the tail pitch trim assembly
with consequent loss of pitch control.
Actions Since AD Was Issued
Since we issued AD 2012-03-52 (77 FR 12179, February 29, 2012), we
received a report from an owner/operator of a Model M20J airplane who
had the airplane inspected and found the same unsafe condition. Since
the Models M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M,
and M20S airplanes have the same type design as the Models M20R and
M20TN airplanes, we determined that these airplanes should be added to
the applicability of the AD to ensure that the unsafe condition is
addressed on all airplanes of the type design.
Also, Mooney published new service information that includes the
expanded airplane applicability and instructions for installing
replacement fasteners, if necessary.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. Service Bulletin No. M20-
313A, dated February 29, 2012; and Service Bulletin No. M20-314A, dated
February 29, 2012. The service information describes procedures for
inspecting the tail pitch trim assembly for correct positioning and
proper attachment, inspecting the Huck Bolt fasteners for proper
security, and installing replacement fasteners, if necessary.
FAA's Determination
We are issuing 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.
AD Requirements
This AD requires inspecting the trim fitting, hinge, and filler
plate of the tail pitch trim assembly for correct positioning and
proper attachment, and inspecting the Huck Bolt fasteners for proper
security on all Mooney Models M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J,
M20K, M20L, M20M, M20R, M20S, and M20TN airplanes. If incorrect
positioning or improper/loose attachment is found, this AD requires
installing replacement parts and fasteners. These are the same actions
currently required by AD 2012-03-52 for certain Mooney Models M20R and
M20TN airplanes, except the reporting requirement is no longer
required.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because
failure of the tail pitch trim assembly could result in loss of
control. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for making
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send
your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include
the docket number FAA-2012-0275 and directorate identifier 2012-CE-009-
AD at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments
on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects
of this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this 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 AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 6,630 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
| Inspection of the
trim fitting, hinge, and filler plate of the tail pitch trim assembly,
and security of the Huck Bolt fasteners. |
1 work-hour x $85
per hour = $85. |
Not applicable |
$85
|
$563,550
|
We estimate the following costs to
do any necessary replacement of
the parts and Huck Bolt fasteners that will be required based on the
results of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need this repair:
On-Condition Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Installation of replacement parts
and fasteners, including repair of an incorrectly positioned and/or
improperly attached tail pitch trim assembly.
|
16 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $1,360 |
$302
|
$1,662
|
According to the manufacturer, some
of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
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
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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2012-03-52, Amendment 39-16958 (77 FR 12179, February 29, 2012) and
adding the following new AD:
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