Rule2021-11443
Airworthiness Directives; Mooney International Corporation Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 2, 2021
Effective
July 7, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 104 (Wednesday, June 2, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 2, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29486-29488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11443]
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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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2f5c5a5f5f405d5b6f424040414a56014c4042"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a2d1d7d2d2cdd0d6e2cfcdcdccc7db8cc1cdcf">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA 2021-
0223.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dbb1bab8b4b9f5bdb2afb8b39bbdbabaf5bcb4ad"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0c666d6f636e226a65786f644c6a6d6d226b637a">[email protected]</span></a>.
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.
[[Page 29487]]
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
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspect the cable and exhaust .5 work-hour x $85 per $0 $42.50 $765
crossover tube for damage. hour = $42.50.
Install additional cable clamp........ .5 work-hour x $85 per 10 52.50 945
hour = $42.50.
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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
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replace alternator main power cable........... 8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,000 $1,680
$680.
Replace exhaust crossover tube................ 8 work-hours x $85 per hour = 2,500 3,180
$680.
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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
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:
2021-10-17 Mooney International Corporation: Amendment 39-21550;
Docket No. FAA-2021-0223; Project Identifier AD-2020-00539-A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 7, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Mooney International Corporation Model M20V
airplanes, serial numbers 33-0001 through 33-0018, certificated in
any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component Code 2400, Electrical Power
System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of short circuit and arcing of
the alternator main power cable in the engine compartment. The FAA
is issuing this AD to prevent arcing of the alternator main power
cable in the engine compartment. 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.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD before further flight after the effective
date of this AD, unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Inspect the alternator main power cable and the exhaust
crossover tube for burn marks, chafing, holes, and cracks, and
replace any cable and crossover tube that has a burn mark, chafing,
a hole, or a crack.
(2) Install an additional alternator cable clamp part number
MS21919WCJ6 and ensure correct routing of the alternator main power
cable by following steps 1.5. through 1.9. of the Instructions in
Mooney International Corporation Service Bulletin M20-340C, dated
February 14, 2020.
[[Page 29488]]
(h) Special Flight Permit
A special flight permit may be issued with the following
limitations:
(1) Flights must not carry passengers;
(2) Operation in daytime visual meteorological conditions only;
(3) Straight and level flight must be maintained;
(4) Operation in areas of known turbulence prohibited; and
(5) Altitude limited to 9,000 ft. above sea level.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Fort Worth ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of
the person identified in Related Information.
(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
For more information about this AD, 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1e747f7d717c3078776a7d765e787f7f30797168"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4822292b272a662e213c2b20082e2929662f273e">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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) Mooney International Corporation Service Bulletin M20-340C,
dated February 14, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For Mooney International Corporation service information
identified in this AD, contact Mooney International Corporation, 165
Al Mooney Road, North Kerrville, TX 78028; phone: (800) 456-3033;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b4c7c1c4c4dbc6c0f4d9dbdbdad1cd9ad7dbd9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f784828787988583b79a989899928ed994989a">[email protected]</span></a>.
(4) You may view this service information at 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.
(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, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cfa9aaabbdaaa8e1a3aaa8aea38fa1aebdaee1a8a0b9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e3858687918684cd8f8684828fa38d829182cd848c95">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on May 5, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-11443 Filed 6-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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