[Federal Register: March 14, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 51)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 13806-13809]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14mr08-17]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0313; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-095-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 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 M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 series airplanes. This proposed
AD would require you to inspect electrical wires/components, hydraulic
and bleed air tube assemblies at left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH)
inboard wing leading edge/battery box areas, LH/RH wing stations 51.167
to 81.174, and at all feed-through locations into the LH/RH inboard
keelson. If chafing/arcing is found, this proposed AD would require you
to reposition, repair, and/or replace all chafed electrical wires,
components, and hydraulic and bleed air tube assemblies, as required.
This proposed AD would also require you to reposition the battery lead
cables, cover four-gauge wires leaving the battery box with
firesleeving and secure with clamps, and protect the battery power
cable. This proposed AD results from five reports of chafing between
the bleed air tube and the electrical starter cables with one incident
resulting in a fire. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct
chafing/arcing of electrical wires, components, and bleed air lines.
This condition could result in arcing of the exposed wires and burn a
hole in the bleed air line or the nearby hydraulic line, and lead to a
possible hydraulic fluid leak and fire in the engine nacelle
compartment.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 13, 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.
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 M7
Aerospace Repair Station, P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 78279-
0490; telephone: (210) 824-9421; fax: (210) 804-7789.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Werner Koch, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas
76137; telephone: (817) 222-5133; fax: (817) 222-5960.
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-
2008-0313; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-095-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 five reports of chafing between the bleed air tube
and the electrical starter cables on SA226 and SA227 series airplanes.
One report also noted the chafing damage resulted in a fire on a Model
SA226TC airplane. Subsequent review by the FAA of the service
experience of SA226 and SA227 series airplanes indicates that
inadequate clearance for electrical wires/components, hydraulic and
bleed air tube assemblies at LH/RH inboard wing leading edge/battery
box areas, LH/RH wing stations 51.167 to 81.174, and at all feed-
through locations into the LH/RH inboard keelson caused the chafing/
arcing.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in arcing of the
exposed wires and burn a hole in the bleed air line or the nearby
hydraulic line, and lead to a possible hydraulic fluid leak and fire in
the engine nacelle compartment.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed the following service bulletins and procedures:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicable model(s)
Service Bulletin of airplane(s) Procedures described
------------------------------------------------------------------------
M7 Aerospace SA226 Series SA226-AT, SA226-T, Inspecting
Service Bulletin No. 226-24- and SA226-TC. electrical wires/
036, issued: September 19, components,
2007. hydraulic and bleed
air tube assemblies
at LH/RH inboard
wing leading edge/
battery box areas,
LH/RH wing stations
51.167 to 81.174,
and at all feed-
through locations
into the LH/RH
inboard keelson.
[[Page 13807]]
M7 Aerospace SA227 Series SA227-AC and SA227-
Service Bulletin No. 227-24- AT.
019, issued: September 19,
2007.
M7 Aerospace SA227 Series SA227-CC and SA227-
Commuter Category Service DC.
Bulletin No. CC7-24-010,
issued: September 19, 2007.
Swearingen Aviation SA226-AT, SA226-T, Repositioning
Corporation SA226 Series and SA226-TC. battery lead
Service Bulletin No. SB 24- cables.
001, revised: September 16,
1975.
Fairchild Aircraft SA226-AT, SA226-T, Covering four-gauge
Corporation SA226 Series and SA226-TC. wires leaving
Service Bulletin No. SB24- battery box with
019, revised: May 17, 1983. firesleeving and
securing with
clamp.
Fairchild Aircraft SA227-AC and SA227-
Corporation SA227 Series AT.
Service Bulletin No. SB24-
001, revised: May 17, 1983.
Fairchild Aircraft SA226-AT, and SA226- Protect battery
Corporation SA226 Series TC. power cable.
Service Bulletin No. SB24-
020, revised: February 15,
1984.
Fairchild Aircraft SA227-AC and SA227-
Corporation SA227 Series AT.
Service Bulletin No. SB24-
002, revised: February 15,
1984.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 inspect electrical wires/components, hydraulic and
bleed air tube assemblies at LH and RH inboard wing leading edge/
battery box areas, LH/RH wing stations 51.167 to 81.174, and at all
feed-through locations into the LH/RH inboard keelson. If chafing/
arcing is found, this proposed AD would require you to reposition,
repair, and/or replace all chafed electrical wires, components, and
hydraulic and bleed air tube assemblies, as required. This proposed AD
would also require you to reposition the battery lead cables, cover
four-gauge wires leaving battery box with firesleeving and secure with
clamps, and protect the battery power cable.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 330 airplanes in the
U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs for all Models SA226, SA227, SA227-
CC, and SA227-DC airplanes to do the proposed inspection required by
SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. 226-24-036, SA227 Series Service
Bulletin No. 227-24-019, or SA227 Series Commuter Category Service
Bulletin No. CC7-24-010:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost airplane U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 work-hours x $80 per hour = $320........ Not Applicable.............. $320 $105,600
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We estimate the following costs for certain Models SA226-AT, SA226-
T, and SA226-TC airplanes for the proposed repositioning of battery
lead cables following SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. SB 24-001:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per airplanes Total cost on
airplane affected U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 work-hours x $80 per hour = $320.......... $6.80 $326.80 2 $653.60
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We estimate the following costs for certain Models SA226-AT, SA226-
T, SA226-TC, SA227-AC, and SA227-AT airplanes following SA226 Series
Service Bulletin No. SB24-019 or SA227 Series Service Bulletin No.
SB24-001, for the proposed covering of four-gauge wires leaving battery
box with firesleeving and securing with clamp:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per airplanes Total cost on
airplane affected U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 work-hours x $80 per hour = $1,040....... $6.80 $1,046.80 70 $73,276
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We estimate the following costs for certain Models SA226-AT, SA226-
TC, SA227-AC, and SA227-AT airplanes following SA226 Series Service
Bulletin No. SB24-020 or SA227 Series Service Bulletin No. SB24-002,
for the proposed protection of the battery power cable:
[[Page 13808]]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per airplanes Total cost on
airplane affected U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 work-hours x $80 per hour = $4,000....... $3,000 $7,000 60 $420,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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:
M7 Aerospace LP: Docket No. FAA-2008-0313; Directorate Identifier
2007-CE-095-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by May 13, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial
numbers (S/N) that are certificated in any category:
(1) Group 1: Model SA226-AT Airplanes, All S/N.
(2) Group 2: Model SA226-T Airplanes, All S/N.
(3) Group 3: Model SA226-TC Airplanes, All S/N.
(4) Group 4: Model SA227-AC Airplanes, All S/N.
(5) Group 5: Model SA227-AT Airplanes, All S/N.
(6) Group 6: Model SA227-CC Airplanes, All S/N.
(7) Group 7: Model SA227-DC Airplanes, All S/N.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from five reports of chafing between the
bleed air tube and the electrical starter cables with one incident
resulting in a fire. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct
chafing/arcing of electrical wires, components, and bleed air lines.
This condition could result in arcing of the exposed wires and burn
a hole in the bleed air line or the nearby hydraulic line, and lead
to a possible hydraulic fluid leak and fire in the engine nacelle
compartment.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless
already done:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actions Compliance Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) For Group 1, Group 2, Within 250 hours Follow M7 Aerospace
and Group 3 Airplanes: time-in-service SA226 Series
(i) Inspect electrical wires/ (TIS) after the Service Bulletin
components, hydraulic and effective date of No. 226-24-036,
bleed air tube assemblies this AD. issued: September
at left-hand (LH)/right- Repetitively 19, 2007;
hand (RH) inboard wing thereafter inspect Swearingen Aviation
leading edge/battery box (paragraph Corporation SA226
areas, LH/RH wing stations (e)(1)(i) of this Series Service
51.167 to 81.174, and at AD) at intervals Bulletin No. SB 24-
all feed-through locations not to exceed 12 001, issued: May
into the LH/RH inboard months. 18, 1971; revised:
keelson for any evidence of September 16, 1975;
chafing/arcing. Clear, Fairchild Aircraft
repair, and/or replace all Corporation SA226
chafed electrical wires and Series Service
components, hydraulic, and Bulletin No. SB 24-
bleed air tube assemblies, 019, issued: June
and all feed-through 2, 1982; revised:
locations, as required. May 17, 1983; and
Fairchild Aircraft
Corporation SA226
Series Service
Bulletin No. SB 24-
020, issued:
January 18, 1983;
revised: February
15, 1984.
[[Page 13809]]
(ii) Reposition battery
lead cables, protect
the battery power
cable, and cover four-
gauge wires leaving
battery box with
firesleeving and secure
with clamp.
(2) For Group 4 and Group 5 Within 250 hours TIS Follow M7 Aerospace
Airplanes: after the effective SA227 Series
(i) Inspect electrical wires/ date of this AD. Service Bulletin
components, hydraulic and Repetitively No. 227-24-019,
bleed air tube assemblies thereafter inspect issued: September
at LH/RH inboard wing (paragraph 19, 2007; Fairchild
leading edge/battery box (e)(2)(i) of this Aircraft
areas, LH/RH wing stations AD) at intervals Corporation SA227
51.167 to 81.174, and at not to exceed 12 Series Service
all feed-through locations months. Bulletin No. SB24-
into the LH/RH inboard 001, issued: June
keelson for any evidence of 2, 1982; revised:
chafing/arcing. Clear, May 17, 1983; and
repair, and/or replace all Fairchild Aircraft
chafed electrical wires and Corporation SA227
components, hydraulic, and Series Service
bleed air tube assemblies, Bulletin No. SB24-
and all feed-through 002, issued:
locations, as required. January 18, 1983;
revised: February
15, 1984.
(ii) Protect the battery
power cable and cover
four-gauge wires
leaving battery box
with firesleeving and
secure with clamp.
(3) For Group 6 and Group 7 Within 250 hours TIS Follow M7 Aerospace
Airplanes: Inspect after the effective SA227 Series
electrical wires/ date of this AD. Commuter Category
components, hydraulic and Repetitively Service Bulletin
bleed air tube assemblies thereafter inspect No. CC7-24-010,
at LH/RH inboard wing at intervals not to issued: September
leading edge/battery box exceed 12 months. 19, 2007.
areas, LH/RH wing stations
51.167 to 81.174, and at
all feed-through locations
into the LH/RH inboard
keelson for any evidence of
chafing/arcing. Clear,
repair, and/or replace all
chafed electrical wires and
components, hydraulic, and
bleed air tube assemblies,
and all feed-through
locations, as required.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Although not a requirement of this AD, you may incorporate
Swearingen Aviation Corporation SA226 Series Service Bulletin No.
57-010, Revised: December 5, 1975, on those airplanes that have not
installed the access panel. Installation of the access panel will
simplify the incorporation of the service bulletins referenced in
this AD and future inspections of the areas of concern.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(f) 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. Send information to ATTN:
Werner Koch, Aerospace Engineer, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth,
Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5133; fax: (817) 222-5960. 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 M7 Aerospace Repair Station, P.O. Box 790490, San
Antonio, Texas 78279-0490; telephone: (210) 824-9421; fax: (210)
804-7789. 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. The docket number is
Docket No. FAA-2008-0313; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-095-AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 7, 2008.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-5193 Filed 3-13-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P