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2016-15-02 M7 AEROSPACE LLC: Amendment 39-18593; Docket No. FAA-2016-5431; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-044-AD.
(a) EFFECTIVE DATE

    This AD is effective August 26, 2016.

(b) AFFECTED ADS

    None.

(c) APPLICABILITY

    This AD applies to M7 Aerospace LLC Models SA26-AT, SA26-T,  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 2700, Flight Controls.

(e) UNSAFE CONDITION

    This  AD was  prompted by  reports  of  multiple cracks  in the  steel
    horizontal  tube  of  the cockpit  control  column.  We are  requiring
    repetitive inspections of the  cockpit control column horizontal  tube
    with  repair  or replacement,  as  necessary, of  the  cockpit control
    column. We  are issuing  this AD  to correct  the unsafe  condition on
    these products.

(f) COMPLIANCE

    Comply with paragraphs (g)(1) through (2) of this AD using the follow-
    ing service bulletins within the compliance times specified below, un-
    less already done:

(1) For Models SA26-T and SA26-AT:  M7 Aerospace LLC Service Bulletin (SB)
    26-27-002, dated October 8, 2015;

(2) For  Models SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), and SA226-TC:  M7 Aerospace
    LLC SB 226-27-078, dated October 8, 2015;

(3) For  Models SA227-AC(C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC(C-26A),  and SA227-TT:
    M7 Aerospace LLC SB 227-27-058, dated October 8, 2015; or

(4) For Models SA227-CC and SA227-DC (C-26B):  M7 Aerospace LLC SB CC7-27-
    030, dated October 8, 2015.

(g) ACTIONS

(1) For  all  airplanes: Within the next 2,000 hours time-in-service (TIS)
    after August 26, 2016 (the effective date of this AD) or no later than
    when the airplane accumulates 20,000 hours TIS, whichever occurs later
    do an initial inspection of the cockpit control column horizontal tube
    for cracks following the  Accomplishment Instructions in section 2. of
    the service bulletins identified in paragraphs (f)(1), (2), (3) or (4)
    of this AD, as applicable; and repetitively inspect as follows:

(i) For  airplanes  with less than 35,000 hours TIS  as of August 26, 2016
    (the  effective date of this AD):  Repetitively  inspect  the  cockpit
    control column horizontal tube for cracks every 5,000 hours TIS  until
    the airplane reaches 35,000 hours TIS at which time  do the inspection
    within 2,000 hours TIS from the last inspection or within the next 100
    hours TIS, whichever occurs later and then thereafter at intervals not
    to exceed 2,000 hours TIS.

(ii) For  airplanes  with  35,000 hours TIS or more  as of August 26, 2016
     (the effective  date of  this AD):  Repetitively inspect  the cockpit
     control column horizontal tube for cracks every 2,000 hours TIS.

(2) For  all  airplanes: If any cracks are found following the inspections
    required  in  paragraphs  (g)(1), (g)(1)(i),  or (ii),  as applicable,
    before  further  flight,  repair  the  control  column  following  the
    Accomplishment Instructions  in section  2. of  the service  bulletins
    identified in paragraphs (f)(1), (2),  (3), or (4), as applicable,  of
    this AD.

Note to paragraph (g)(1) through (2) of this AD: The reporting of informa-
tion requested in paragraph 2.H. of the Accomplishment Instructions in the
service bulletins identified  in paragraphs (f)(1),  (2), (3), and  (4) of
this AD is not a required action of this AD.

(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 (j) of this AD.

(2) Before using any approved AMOC,  notify your appropriate principal in-
    spector,  or  lacking a principal inspector,  the manager of the local
    flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.

(i) RELATED INFORMATION

    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.

(j) MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

(1) The  Director  of  the  Federal Register approved the incorporation by
    reference (IBR) of the  service information  listed  in this paragraph
    under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You must use  this service information as applicable to do the actions
    required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(i) M7 Aerospace LLC  Service Bulletin  (SB) 26-27-002,  dated  October 8,
    2015;

(ii) M7 Aerospace LLC SB 226-27-078, dated October 8, 2015;

(iii) M7 Aerospace LLC SB 227-27-058, dated October 8, 2015; or

(iv) M7 Aerospace LLC SB CC7-27-030, dated October 8, 2015.

(3) 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.

(4) You may view  this  referenced service information  at the FAA,  Small
    Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For in-
    formation on the availability of this material at the FAA,  call  816-
    329-4148.

(5) You  may  view  this  service  information  that  is  incorporated  by
    reference at the  National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
    For  information  on the availability of this material  at NARA,  call
    202-741-6030,  or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/
    ibr-locations.html.

Issued in  Kansas City,  Missouri,  on  July 13, 2016.  Pat Mullen, Acting
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

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.
PREAMBLE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5431; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-044-AD;
Amendment 39-18593; AD 2016-15-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LLC Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all M7
Aerospace LLC Models SA26-AT, SA26-T, 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 AD was prompted by
reports of multiple cracks in the steel horizontal tube of the cockpit
control column. This AD requires inspection of the cockpit control
column horizontal tube for cracks and repair or replacement of the
cockpit control column as necessary. We are issuing this AD to correct
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 26, 2016.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 26,
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 816-
329-4148. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-5431.

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-
5431; 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 address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

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:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all M7 Aerospace LLC Models
SA26-AT, SA26-T, 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. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April
1, 2016 (81 FR 18804). The NPRM was prompted by reports of multiple
cracks in the cockpit control column horizontal tube at the corners of
the access panel cutout, at the pulley bolt welds, and at the elevator
arm weld in the steel horizontal tube of the control column on M7
Aerospace SA26, SA226, and SA227 airplanes. The NPRM proposed to
require inspection of the cockpit control column horizontal tube for
cracks and repair or replacement of the cockpit control column as
necessary. This condition, if not corrected, could result in partial or
complete control column failure with partial or complete loss of pitch
and/or roll control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM (81 FR
18804, April 1, 2016) and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request for Previously Done Credit

Michael O'Brien at Bearskin Airlines commented they had been
complying with this AD by accomplishing the service bulletins that are
listed in the proposed AD. He asked if it would be acceptable to just
accomplish a technical records research to see when the required
actions were last done.
We agree that credit should be given for actions previously done
with the service bulletins called out in the NPRM. The NPRM already
allows for this with the phrase ``unless already done'' in paragraphs
(g)(1) and (2) of the NPRM.
Because the requested change is already part of this AD, we have
not changed the final rule AD action based on this comment.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have
determined that these minor changes:

Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (81 FR 18804, April 1, 2016) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (81 FR 18804, April 1, 2016).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed M7 Aerospace LLC SA26 Series Service Bulletin (SB) 26-
27-002, M7 Aerospace LLC SA226 Series SB 226-27-078, M7 Aerospace LLC
SA227 Series SB 227-27-058, and M7 Aerospace LLC SA227 Series SB CC7-
27-030, all dated October 8, 2015. The service information describes
procedures for inspection of the cockpit control column horizontal tube
for cracks and repair or replacement of the cockpit control column as
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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 350 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 12 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,020 Not applicable
$1,020
$357,000

We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs/
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that
might need these repairs/replacements:

On-Condition Costs

Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per product
Repair cracks 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170
Not applicable
$170
Replace parts 16 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,360
$5,000
6,360

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 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):