DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0910; Project Identifier 2018-CE-044-AD; Amendment
39-21378; AD 2021-01-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LLC Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for M7
Aerospace LLC Models SA26-AT and SA26-T airplanes. This AD was prompted
by reports of the airplane power lever linkage detaching from the
TPE331 engine propeller pitch control (PPC) shaft. This AD requires
repetitively inspecting the PPC for proper torque and making any
necessary corrections until the replacement of the PPC assembly and the
installation of a secondary retention feature (safety wire) are done.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 26, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference (IBR) of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 5,
2017 (82 FR 15982, March 31, 2017).
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Honeywell International Inc., 111 S 34th Street, Phoenix,
Arizona 85034-2802; phone: 855-808-6500; email:
AeroTechSupport@honeywell.com; internet: https://aerospace.honeywell.com/en/services/maintenance-and-monitoring.
You may
view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products
Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 816-329-4148. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0910.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0910; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket
Operations is 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: Jonas Perez, Aerospace Engineer,
Fort
Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76177-
1524; phone: 817-222-5145; fax: 817-222-5960; email:
jonas.perez@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to M7 Aerospace LLC Models
SA26-AT and SA26-T airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on October 14, 2020 (85 FR 64993). The NPRM was prompted by
reports of the airplane power lever linkage detaching from the TPE331
engine PPC shaft. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitively
inspecting the PPC for proper torque and making any necessary
corrections until the replacement of the PPC assembly and the
installation of a secondary retention feature (safety wire) are done.
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded change to the engine
power settings with consequent loss of control.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Honeywell International Inc. Service Bulletin
TPE331-72-2190, dated December 21, 2011, which contains procedures for
replacing or reworking the propeller pitch control assembly,
incorporating a threaded hole in the splined end of the shouldered
shaft, and reassembling the propeller pitch control assembly. Honeywell
International Inc. Service Bulletin TPE331-72-2190, dated December 21,
2011, was previously approved for IBR on May 5, 2017 (82 FR 15982,
March 31, 2017). This 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 ADDRESSES.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA also reviewed paragraph j. of M7 Aerospace SA26 Series
Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision 4-02, dated July 22, 2020, which
contains information related to the installation of the secondary
retention feature (safety wire) on the airplane PPC lever and the PPC
assembly.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 55 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
Install secondary retention feature
(safety wire). |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$85 |
$10 |
$95 |
$5,225 |
Inspect PPC lever |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$85 per inspection cycle |
0 |
85 |
$4,675 per inspection
cycle |
Repair, replace, and/or rework
PPC lever input shaft. |
19 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $1,615 |
1,000 |
2,615 |
$143,825 |
The FAA estimates the following costs
to do any adjustment that
would be required based on the results of the inspection. The FAA has
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need the
adjustment:
On-Condition Costs
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Correct attachment of the PPC
lever |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$85 |
$0
|
$85
|
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.
The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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:
|