97-32990. Airworthiness Directives; MAULE Models MX-7-420 and MXT-7-420 Airplanes and Models M-7-235 and M-7-235A Airplanes Modified in Accordance With Maule Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2661SO  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 66269-66271]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-32990]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 97-CE-40-AD; Amendment 39-10257; AD 97-26-14]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; MAULE Models MX-7-420 and MXT-7-420 
    Airplanes and Models M-7-235 and M-7-235A Airplanes Modified in 
    Accordance With Maule Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2661SO
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
    
    [[Page 66270]]
    
    applies to all MAULE Models MX-7-420 and MXT-7-420 airplanes, and all 
    Models M-7-235 and M-7-235A airplanes that are modified in accordance 
    with Maule STC SA2661SO, which incorporates a certain gas turbine 
    engine, certain amphibious floats, and certain propellers. This AD 
    requires amending the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual 
    (AFM) to prohibit the positioning of the power levers below the flight 
    idle stop while the airplane is in flight. This AFM amendment will 
    include a statement of consequences if the limitation is not followed. 
    This AD results from numerous incidents and five documented accidents 
    involving airplanes equipped with turboprop engines where the propeller 
    beta was improperly utilized during flight. The actions specified by 
    this AD are intended to prevent loss of airplane control or engine 
    overspeed with consequent loss of engine power caused by the power 
    levers being positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane 
    is in flight.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: January 28, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Information related to this AD may be examined at the 
    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
    Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-40-AD, Room 1558, 
    601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne A. Shade, Aerospace Engineer, 
    FAA, Atlanta Certification Office, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, 
    Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (770) 703-6094; facsimile (770) 703-
    6097.
    
    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 all MAULE Models MXT-
    7-420 and MX-7-420 airplanes and all Models M-7-235 and M-7-235A 
    airplanes that are modified in accordance with STC SA2661SO was 
    published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking 
    (NPRM) on July 24, 1997 (62 FR 39789).
        The NPRM proposed to require amending the Limitations Section of 
    the AFM to prohibit the positioning of the power levers below the 
    flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight, including a statement 
    of consequences if the limitation is not followed. This AFM amendment 
    shall consist of the following language:
    
        Positioning of power levers below the flight idle stop while the 
    airplane is in flight is prohibited. Such positioning could lead to 
    loss of airplane control or may result in an overspeed condition and 
    consequent loss of engine power.
    
        The NPRM was the result of numerous incidents and five documented 
    accidents involving airplanes equipped with turboprop engines where the 
    propeller beta was improperly utilized during flight.
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
    proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
    
    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.
    
    Compliance Time of This AD
    
        The FAA has determined that the compliance time of this AD should 
    be specified in calendar time instead of hours time-in-service. While 
    the condition addressed by this AD is unsafe while the airplane is in 
    flight, the condition is not a result of repetitive airplane operation; 
    the potential of the unsafe condition occurring is the same on the 
    first flight as it is for subsequent flights. The compliance time of 
    ``30 days after the effective date of this AD'' will not inadvertently 
    ground airplanes and would assure that all owners/operators of the 
    affected airplanes accomplish this AD in a reasonable time period.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        The FAA estimates that 3 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
    affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
    airplane to incorporate the required AFM amendment, and that the 
    average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Since an owner/
    operator who holds at least a private pilot's certificate can 
    accomplish this AD, as authorized by sections 43.7 and 43.9 of the 
    Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7 and 43.9), the only cost 
    impact upon the public is the time it will take the affected airplane 
    owner/operators to amend the AFM.
    
    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, 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
    
    
    Sec. 39.13  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
    (AD) to read as follows:
    
    97-26-14  Maule: Amendment 39-10257; Docket No. 97-CE-40-AD.
    
        Applicability: The following airplane models, certificated in 
    any category:
    
    --Models MXT-7-420 and MX-7-420 airplanes, all serial numbers; and
    --Models M-7-235 and M-7-235A airplanes, all serial numbers, that 
    are modified in accordance with Maule Supplemental Type Certificate 
    (STC) SA2661SO.
    
        Note 1: Maule STC SA2661SO includes the procedures for 
    incorporating the following items on the Maule Models M-7-235 and M-
    7-235A airplanes:
    
    --An Allison 250-B17C gas turbine engine;
    --Edo Model 797-2500 amphibious floats; and
    
    [[Page 66271]]
    
    --Hartzell Model HC-B3TF-7A/T10173-11R or HC-B3TF-7A/T10173F-11R 
    propellers.
    
        Note 2: 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 (e) 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 30 days after the effective 
    date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
        To prevent loss of airplane control or engine overspeed with 
    consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being 
    positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in 
    flight, accomplish the following:
        (a) Amend the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual 
    (AFM) by inserting the following language:
        ``Positioning of power levers below the flight idle stop while 
    in flight is prohibited. Such positioning could lead to loss of 
    airplane control or may result in an engine overspeed condition and 
    consequent loss of engine power.''
        (b) This action may be accomplished by incorporating a copy of 
    this AD into the Limitations Section of the AFM.
        (c) Amending the AFM, as required by this AD, may be performed 
    by the owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate 
    as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
    (14 CFR 43.7), and must be entered into the aircraft records showing 
    compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the 
    Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
        (d) 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.
        (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
    compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
    approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
    (ACO), Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College 
    Park, Georgia 30337-2748. The request shall be forwarded through an 
    appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 
    send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO.
    
        Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the Atlanta ACO.
    
        (f) Information related to this AD may be examined at the FAA, 
    Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 
    12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
        (g) This amendment (39-10257) becomes effective on January 28, 
    1998.
    
        Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 10, 1997.
    Michael Gallagher,
    Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
    [FR Doc. 97-32990 Filed 12-17-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
1/28/1998
Published:
12/18/1997
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
97-32990
Dates:
January 28, 1998.
Pages:
66269-66271 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 97-CE-40-AD, Amendment 39-10257, AD 97-26-14
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
97-32990.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13