FR Doc E8-19168

[Federal Register: August 19, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 161)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 48314-48317]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19au08-29]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0892; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-049-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Models
M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, and M-8 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Models M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, and
M-8 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to paint the
top of the rear elevator control horn, the elevator control cable end
attached to the top of the rear control horn, the bottom of the forward
elevator control horn, and the elevator control cable end attached to
the bottom of the forward control. This proposed AD would also require
you to insert a supplement into your maintenance program (maintenance
manual). This proposed AD results from two reports of accidents where
reversed elevator control rigging was a factor. We are proposing this
AD to reduce the likelihood of a mechanic rigging the elevator controls
backwards, which could result in elevator movement in the opposite
direction from control input. This condition could lead to loss of
control.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 20,
2008.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.

[[Page 48315]]

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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc., 2099 Georgia Highway 133 South,
Moultrie, Georgia 31788; telephone: (229) 985-2045; fax: (229) 985-
2048; Internet: http://www.mauleairinc.com.

For Further Information, Contact One of the Following:

--Cindy Lorenzen, Aerospace Engineer, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix
Blvd., Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6078;
fax: (770) 703-6097; e-mail: cindy.lorenzen@faa.gov; or
--Gerald Avella, Aerospace Engineer, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix
Blvd., Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6066;
fax: (770) 703-6097; e-mail: gerald.avella@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2008-0892; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-049-AD'' at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may
amend the proposed AD in light 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 concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

We have received two reports of accidents where reversed elevator
control rigging was a factor. We are proposing this AD to reduce the
likelihood of a mechanic rigging the elevator controls backwards, which
could result in elevator movement in the opposite direction from
control input.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of control.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. 30, dated March 4, 2008.
The service information describes procedures for:
Painting the top of the rear elevator control horn and the
elevator control cable end attached to the top of the rear control
horn;
Painting the bottom of the forward elevator control horn
and the elevator control cable end attached to the bottom of the
forward control; and
Inserting a supplement in the maintenance program
(maintenance manual).

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD
would require you to paint the top of the rear elevator control horn,
the elevator control cable end attached to the top of the rear control
horn, the bottom of the forward elevator control horn, and the elevator
control cable end attached to the bottom of the forward control. This
proposed AD would also require you to insert a supplement into your
maintenance program (maintenance manual).

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 1,765 airplanes in
the U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the proposed modification:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost airplane U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $80 per hour = $80............................. $20 $100 $176,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 have 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 distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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); 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527)
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

[[Page 48316]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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

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 AD:

Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2008-0892;
Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-049-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by October 20, 2008.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bee Dee M-4........................... All serial numbers.
M-4................................... All serial numbers.
M-4-180C.............................. All serial numbers.
M-4-180V.............................. 47001T through 47014T.
M-4-210............................... All serial numbers.
M-4-210C.............................. All serial numbers.
M-4-210S.............................. All serial numbers.
M-4-220C.............................. All serial numbers.
M-4-220S.............................. All serial numbers.
M-4C.................................. All serial numbers.
M-4S.................................. All serial numbers.
M-4T.................................. All serial numbers.
M-5-180C.............................. All serial numbers.
M-5-200............................... All serial numbers.
M-5-210C.............................. All serial numbers.
M-5-210TC............................. All serial numbers.
M-5-220C.............................. All serial numbers.
M-5-235C.............................. All serial numbers.
M-6-180............................... 8020C, 8043C, 8065C through
8067C.
M-6-235............................... 7249C, 7356C, 7379C through
7444C, 7446C through 7450C,
7452C through 7459C, 7461C
through 7466C, 7468C, 7469C,
7471C through 7475C, 7488C
through 7514C, 7516C through
7522C.
M-7-235............................... 4001C through 4132C, 12001C,
12002C.
M-7-235A.............................. 24001C.
M-7-235B.............................. 23001C through 23105C.
M-7-235C.............................. 25001C through 25106C.
M-7-260............................... 26001C through 26021C.
M-7-260C.............................. 30001C through 30040C.
M-7-420A.............................. 35001C.
M-7-420AC............................. 29001C, 29003C through 29007C.
M-8-235............................... 15001C through 15006C.
MT-7-235.............................. 18001C through 18097C, 18099C,
18100C.
MT-7-260.............................. 27001C through 27014C.
MT-7-420.............................. 51001C, 51002C.
MX-7-160.............................. 19001C through 19046C.
MX-7-160C............................. 34001C.
MX-7-180.............................. 11001C through 11097C.
MX-7-180A............................. 20001C through 20064C.
MX-7-180AC............................ 33001C through 33010C.
MX-7-180B............................. 22001C through 22025C, 22027C.
MX-7-180C............................. 28001C through 28027C.
MX-7-235.............................. 10001C through 10122C.
MX-7-420.............................. 13001C through 13003C.
MXT-7-160............................. 17001C through 17008C.
MXT-7-180............................. 14000C through 14125C.
MXT-7-180A............................ 21001C through 21096C.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from two reports of accidents where reversed
elevator control rigging was a factor. We are issuing this AD to
reduce the likelihood of a mechanic rigging the elevator controls
backwards, which could result in elevator movement in the opposite
direction from control input. This failure could lead to loss of
control.

Compliance

(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless
already done:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actions Compliance Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Using yellow enamel paint, color Before the next time the elevator Follow Maule Aerospace Technology,
code the following: control cable is disconnected for Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No.
(i) the top of the rear elevator any reason or within the next 12 30, dated March 4, 2008.
control horn; calendar months after the effective
(ii) the elevator control cable end date of this AD, whichever occurs
attached to the top of the rear first.
control horn;
(iii) the bottom of the forward
elevator control horn; and
(iv) the elevator control cable end
attached to the bottom of the
forward control.
(2) Insert the following text into Before the next time the elevator Follow Maule Aerospace Technology,
the rigging procedure section of control cable is disconnected for Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No.
your FAA-approved maintenance any reason or within the next 12 30, dated March 4, 2008. You may
program (e.g. maintenance manual): calendar months after the effective insert a copy of this AD or you may
``CAUTION--BEFORE FLIGHT WHENEVER date of this AD, whichever occurs insert the text located on the
ELEVATOR CABLES ARE RECONNECTED OR first. bottom of page 3 of Maule Aerospace
NEW CABLES INSTALLED: Always check Technology, Inc. Mandatory Service
operation of elevators after a Bulletin No. 30, dated March 4,
cable reconnect by pulling back on 2008, into the FAA-approved
the control and ascertain that the maintenance program (e.g.
elevators are in the UP position.'' maintenance manual).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(f) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to
ATTN: Gerald Avella, Aerospace Engineer, One Crown Center, 1895
Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770)
703-6066; fax: (770) 703-6097; e-mail: gerald.avella@faa.gov. Before
using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies,
notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight
Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

Related Information

(g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this
AD, contact Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc., 2099 Georgia Highway
133 South, Moultrie, Georgia 31788; telephone: (229) 985-2045; fax:
(229) 985-2048; Internet: http://www.mauleairinc.com. To view the AD
docket, go to U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations,
M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov.

[[Page 48317]]

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 12, 2008.
G. Wes Ryan,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-19168 Filed 8-18-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P