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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0223; Project Identifier AD-2020-00539-A;
Amendment 39-21550; AD 2021-10-17]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Mooney International Corporation 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
certain Mooney International Corporation (Mooney) Model M20V airplanes.
This AD was prompted by reports of short circuit and arcing of the
alternator main power cable in the engine compartment. This condition,
if unaddressed, could result in a fire hazard, loss of engine thrust
control, and reduced control of the airplane. This AD requires
inspecting the alternator main power cable and the exhaust crossover
tube for damage, replacing damaged parts as necessary, and installing
an additional alternator cable clamp. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 7, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 7,
2021.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Mooney International Corporation, 165 Al Mooney Road, North
Kerrville, TX 78028; phone: (800) 456-3033; email: support@mooney.com.
You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City,
MO 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 2021-0223.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0223; 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: Jacob Fitch, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177;
phone: (817) 222-4130; fax: (817) 222-5245; email: jacob.fitch@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 certain serial-numbered
Mooney Model M20V airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register
on March 9, 2021 (86 FR 13502; corrected March 17, 2021, 86 FR 14554).
The NPRM was prompted by reports of short circuit and arcing of the
alternator main power cable in the engine compartment. Mooney
determined the alternator main power cable was incorrectly positioned
with slack in the cable and allowed contact between the alternator main
power cable and turbocharger right-hand (RH) exhaust crossover tube. In
one instance, this contact caused arcing of the alternator main power
cable and created a hole in the RH exhaust crossover tube, which may
result in a fire hazard. A damaged crossover tube may also decrease
effectiveness of the turbochargers and cause complete loss of engine
power at higher altitudes (above 9,000 ft. above sea level). In the
NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting the alternator main power
cable and the exhaust crossover tube and modifying the alternator main
power cable routing by installing an additional alternator cable clamp,
part number (P/N) MS21919WCJ6. This condition, if not addressed, could
result in an inflight fire and loss of engine thrust control, which may
lead to reduced control of the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
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 Mooney International Corporation Service Bulletin
M20-340C, dated February 14, 2020. The service information specifies
inspecting the alternator main power cable and the exhaust crossover
tube for damage and replacing damaged parts as necessary. The service
information also contains procedures for modifying the alternator main
power cable routing by installing an additional alternator cable clamp,
P/N MS21919WCJ6.
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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 18 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
|
| Inspect the cable and exhaust
crossover tube for damage |
.5 work-hour x $85 per hour
= $42.50 |
$0
|
$42.50
|
$765
|
| Install additional cable clamp |
.5 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$42.50
|
10
|
52.50
|
945
|
The FAA estimates
the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
airplanes that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
| Replace alternator main power
cable |
8 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$680
|
$1,000
|
$1,680
|
| Replace exhaust crossover tube |
8 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$680 |
2,500
|
3,180
|
The FAA has included all known costs
in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.
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:
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