
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 63 (Friday, April 1, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18804-18806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07371]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5431; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-044-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LLC Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 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 proposed AD was prompted 
by reports of multiple cracks in the steel horizontal tube of the 
cockpit control column. This proposed AD would require inspection of 
the cockpit control column horizontal tube with repair or replacement 
as necessary of the cockpit control column. We are proposing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 16, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above 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 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. You may view this 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 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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office

[[Page 18805]]

(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, 
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: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-5431; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-044-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    The FAA received 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.
    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.

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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We are proposing 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 these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the 
cockpit control column horizontal tube for cracks and repair or 
replacement of the cockpit control column as necessary.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    We have revised the compliance times of the proposed AD to differ 
from service information. We have determined we have met the safety 
intent with the revised compliance times while allowing for clarity. 
The compliance times in the proposed AD action would take precedence 
over those in the service bulletin.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 350 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                     Labor cost            Parts cost           product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection........................  12 work-hours x $85   Not applicable......          $1,020         $357,000
                                     per hour = $1,020.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

[[Page 18806]]

distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this 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),
    (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.

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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

M7 Aerospace LLC: Docket No. FAA-2016-5431; Directorate Identifier 
2015-CE-044-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 16, 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 issuing this 
AD to require repetitive inspections of the cockpit control column 
horizontal tube with repair or replacement, as necessary, of the 
cockpit control column. We are proposing this AD to correct the 
unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(2) of this AD using 
the following service bulletins within the compliance times 
specified below, unless 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 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 paragraph 2.B. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletins identified in 
paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), (f)(3), or (f)(4) of this AD, as 
applicable; and repetitively inspect as follows:
    (i) For airplanes with less than 35,000 hours TIS as of 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 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 (g)(1)(ii), 
as applicable, before further flight, repair the control column 
following paragraph 2.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service bulletins identified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), (f)(3), 
or (f)(4) of this AD.

(h) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(i) 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 inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    (1) 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.
    (2) 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. You may 
view this 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 28, 2016.
Jacqueline Jambor,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-07371 Filed 3-31-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


