AD 95-12-16

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 14, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31240-31241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14041]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-24-AD; Amendment 39-9267; AD 95-12-16]


Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Model M20R 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes priority letter Airworthiness 
Directive (AD) 95-07-04, which currently requires the following on 
certain Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Model M20R airplanes: 
repetitively inspecting the exhaust system for cracks, replacing the 
exhaust system if any cracks are found, and reporting to the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA) any cracks found. This action retains the 
repetitive inspection requirement of AD 95-07-04 until the exhaust 
system is modified, and requires eventual modification of the exhaust 
system on the affected airplanes. Several reports of exhaust system 
cracks on Mooney Model M20R airplanes prompted this action. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent an airplane engine fire 
that could result from exhaust system cracks.

DATES: Effective June 22, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 22, 1995. Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be 
received on or before August 14, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-
24-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from 
the Mooney Aircraft Corporation, Louis Schreiner Field, Kerrville, 
Texas 78028. This information may also be examined at the FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
95-CE-24-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alma Ramirez-Hodge, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone (817) 222-5147; facsimile (817) 
223-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 24, 1995, the FAA issued priority 
letter AD 95-07-04, which currently requires the following on certain 
Mooney Model M20R airplanes:
     Repetitively inspecting the exhaust system for cracks;
     Replacing the exhaust system if any cracks are found; and
     Reporting to the FAA any cracks found.
    Accomplishment of this action is in accordance with section 5 and 
section 81 of the Mooney Model M20R Service and Maintenance Manual 
(section 78 in Service and Maintenance Manual revisions issued after 
April 1995).
    Several (13) reports of exhaust system cracks on the affected 
airplanes prompted priority letter AD 95-07-04. The service time of the 
airplanes with cracks found was as low as 8 hours time-in-service. 
Investigation of the cracked exhaust systems revealed that these cracks 
formed in the exhaust header assembly, the muffler assembly, and the 
exhaust tailpipe assembly, specifically at the spot welds.
    The exhaust system header assembly on the Model M20R airplanes is 
located near the fuel lines. The high temperatures emanating from 
exhaust system cracks could cause an airplane fire with this close 
proximity to the fuel lines.
    Mooney issued Service Bulletin M20-257, Revision A, dated March 21, 
1995, which references repetitive inspections of the exhaust system on 
the affected Model M20R airplanes. The exhaust system on the affected 
airplanes consists of the following parts:
     Exhaust Header Assembly: part number 630079-501/-502
     Muffler Assembly: part number 630088-501; and
     Exhaust Tail Pipe Assembly: part number 630087-501/-502
    Since the FAA issued priority letter AD 95-07-04, Mooney has 
developed an exhaust system modification that, when incorporated, would 
eliminate the need for the repetitive inspections required by the 
current AD. Mooney issued Instructions--Retrofit Kit, part number (P/N) 
940095-501-1, dated March 31, 1995, and Special Letter 95-1, dated 
April 20, 1995, which specify instructions for incorporating this 
exhaust system modification on Mooney Model M20R airplanes. In 
addition, Mooney incorporated the instructions of both the above 
documents in Instructions-Retrofit Kit, P/N 940095-501-1, Revised April 
21, 1995. This modification is referenced in Mooney Service Bulletin 
M20-257, Revision B, dated April 5, 1995.
    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the accidents described above, the FAA has 
determined that the modification described above should be incorporated 
on certain Mooney Model M20R airplanes, and that AD action should be 
taken in order to prevent an airplane engine fire that could result 
from exhaust system cracks.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Mooney M20R airplanes of the same type 
design, this AD supersedes priority letter AD 95-07-04 with a new AD 
that (1) retains the requirement of repetitively inspecting the exhaust 
system for cracks until the exhaust system is modified; and (2) 
requires modifying the exhaust system if cracks are found and at a 
certain time period if cracks aren't found. This exhaust system 
modification eliminates the repetitive inspection requirement. 
Accomplishment of the exhaust system modification is in accordance with 
either (1) Mooney Instructions-Retrofit Kit, P/N 940095-501-1, Revised 
April 21, 1995; or (2) both Mooney Instructions--Retrofit Kit, P/N 
940095-501-1, dated March 31, 1995, and Mooney Special Letter 95-1, 
dated April 20, 1995.
    Since a situation exists (possible exhaust leaks near the fuel 
lines) that requires the immediate adoption of this regulation, it is 
found that notice and opportunity for public prior comment hereon are 
impracticable, and that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications 
received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, 
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual 
information that 

[[Page 31241]]
supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in 
evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether 
additional rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 95-CE-24-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation and that it must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this 
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined 
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is 
not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules 
Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

95-12-16  Mooney Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-9267; Docket No. 
95-CE-24-AD. Supersedes priority letter AD 95-07-04.

    Applicability: Model M20R Airplanes, serial numbers 29-0002 
through 29-0035, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (d) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent an airplane engine fire that could result from 
exhaust system cracks, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 5 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, unless the modification specified in 
paragraph (b) of this AD is incorporated, and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 5 hours TIS until compliance with paragraph 
(b) of this AD, inspect the exhaust system for cracks in accordance 
with section 5 and section 81 of the Mooney Model M20R Service and 
Maintenance Manual (section 78 in Service and Maintenance Manual 
revisions issued after April 1995). The original exhaust system 
consists of the following:
    (1) Exhaust Header Assembly: part number 630079-501/-502;
    (2) Muffler Assembly: part number 630088-501; and
    (3) Exhaust Tail Pipe Assembly: part number 630087-501/-502.

    Note 2: The inspections required by this AD are also referenced 
in Mooney Service Bulletin M20-257, Revision A, dated March 21, 
1995, and Revision B, dated April 5, 1995.

    (b) Prior to further flight on any airplane with a cracked 
exhaust system or within the next 25 hours TIS after the effective 
date of this AD on any airplane without a cracked exhaust system, 
whichever occurs first, modify the exhaust system in accordance with 
the documents specified in either paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) below:
    (1) Mooney Instructions--Retrofit Kit, part number (P/N) 940095-
501-1, dated March 31, 1995, and Mooney Special Letter 95-1, dated 
April 20, 1995; or
    (2) Mooney Instructions-Retrofit Kit, P/N 940095-501-1, Revised 
April 21, 1995.
    (c) The repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a) of this 
AD are no longer required after the incorporation of the 
modification required by paragraph (b) of this AD.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, ACO, FAA, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort 
Worth, Texas 76193-0150. The request shall be forwarded through an 
appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 
send it to the Manager, Fort Worth ACO.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Fort Worth ACO.

    (e) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Mooney Instructions-Retrofit Kit, part number 
940095-501-1, Revised April 21, 1995; or both Mooney Instructions-
Retrofit Kit, part number 940095-501-1, dated March 31, 1995, and 
Mooney Special Letter 95-1, dated April 20, 1995. This incorporation 
by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from the Mooney Aircraft Corporation, Louis Schreiner 
Field, Kerrville, Texas 78028. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 
601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 7th Floor, suite 
700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment (39-9267) supersedes priority letter AD 95-
07-04.
    (g) This amendment (39-9267) becomes effective on June 22, 1995.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 2, 1995.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-14041 Filed 6-13-95; 8:45 am]
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