Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models M20F, M20J, and

Airworthiness Directive

Federal Register Information

Header Information
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39 [62 FR 66266 NO. 243 12/18/97]

Docket No. 96-CE-51-AD; Amendment 39-10251; AD 97-26-08

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models M20F, M20J, and M20L Airplanes
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Preamble Information
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Models M20F, M20J, and M20L airplanes. This action requires removing the fuel cap retaining lanyard from the fuel filler cap assemblies. A report of lost engine power during flight because of fuel starvation prompted the action. The investigation revealed that the airplane fuel float became trapped by the fuel cap retaining lanyard, keeping the float from following the fuel level. This condition caused the pilot to get a false fuel quantity reading. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of engine power and fuel depletion during flight caused by a false fuel gauge reading.

DATES: Effective January 20, 1998.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by
the Director of the Federal Register as of January 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained Mooney Aircraft Corporation, Louis Schreiner Field, Kerrville, Texas, 78028. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 96-CE-51-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: Ms. Alma Ramirez-Hodge, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150; telephone (817) 222-5147; facsimile (817) 222-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to Mooney Models M20F, M20J, and M20L airplanes was published in the Federal Register on March 26, 1997 (62 FR 14359). The action proposed to require removing the lanyard (nylon type material) from the fuel cap assembly. Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance with Mooney Aircraft Service Bulletin M20-259, Issue Date: September 1, 1996.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been give to the one comment received.

The commenter was opposed to the AD based on the premise that the total cost impact to the U.S. fleet outweighs the report of only one incident. The commenter goes on to say that if the pilot had been following good operating practices by doing a visual check of the fuel and using time as a basis for fuel consumption, there most probably wouldn't have been an incident to report. The commenter thinks the AD is not justified by one occurrence of a captured fuel cap lanyard.

The FAA disagrees. The FAA believes that one incident, in some cases, does justify the issuance of an AD. When the single incident indicates that there could be a loss of engine power to the affected airplane model, the justification for the AD is the continued safe flight and safe landing of over 2,000 airplanes. The total cost impact per airplane is minimal, $60 per airplane, when compared to the damage that could be done, should another fuel cap lanyard become trapped. The pilot that experienced a loss of engine power in his/her airplane was fortunate to have landed safely and without further incident. Therefore, this final rule will not change as a result of this comment.

The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 2,526 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it would take approximately 1 workhour per airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. There are no parts to include in this cost estimate. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $151,560 or $60 per airplane. The FAA has no way to determine how many owners/operators have already accomplished this action, and assumes that no operator has accomplished this action.

Regulatory Impact
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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a "significant rule" under 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption "ADDRESSES".

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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows:

Regulatory Information

97-26-08 MOONEY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: Amendment 39-10251; Docket No. 96-CE-51-AD.

Applicability: The following Models and serial numbered airplanes, certificated in any category.

Models	Serial Numbers
M20F	all serial numbers
M20J	24-0001 through 24-3381
M20L	26-0001 through 26-0041

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 request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent loss of engine power and fuel depletion during flight caused by a false fuel gauge reading, accomplish the following:

(a) Remove the lanyard (nylon type material) from the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) fuel filler cap assembly in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS section of Mooney Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin M20-259, Issue Date: September 1, 1996.

(b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 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 Airplane Certification Office.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office.

(d) The removal required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Mooney Aircraft Service Bulletin M20-259, Issue Date: September 1, 1996. 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 Mooney Aircraft Corporation, Louis Schreiner Field, Kerrville, Texas, 78028. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment (39-10251) becomes effective on January 20, 1998.

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