[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 99 (Monday, May 24, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27911-27913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12974]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-CE-14-AD; Amendment 39-11178; AD 99-11-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Model M20R
airplanes. This AD requires either fabricating and installing a placard
that specifies using the air conditioning system during cruise
operations only or deactivating the air conditioning system so it
cannot be used. This AD is the result of reports of the existence of
dangerous levels of carbon monoxide during taxi, climb, and descent
operations of the above-referenced airplanes. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent dangerous levels of carbon monoxide
from entering the airplane cabin during takeoff, climb, and descent
operations caused by the present flight cabin sealing design of the
affected airplanes, which could result in passenger injury.
DATES: Effective June 15, 1999.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before July 18, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-14-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 Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-14-AD, Room 1558, 601 E.
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Garry D. Sills, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth,
Texas 76193-0150; telephone: (817) 222-5154; facsimile: (817) 222-5960.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The FAA has received reports of the existence of dangerous levels
of carbon monoxide in the flight cabin of Mooney Model M20R airplanes.
The problem is associated with the sealing requirements of these
airplanes. The engine exhaust is pulled into the tail cone from the
airstream to cool the air conditioning condenser coil. This exhaust
then stagnates in this area and, under the current flight cabin seal
design, this mix of air and exhaust gas is allowed to enter into the
flight cabin.
Investigation of several Mooney Model M20R airplanes found
unacceptable levels of carbon monoxide during taxi, climb, and descent
operations when the air conditioner is in use. The problem does not
exist during cruise operations.
Relevant Service Information
Mooney has issued Service Bulletin M20-270, Issue Date: March 1,
1999, which specifies accomplishing one of the following:
--Fabricating and installing a placard that specifies using the air
conditioning system during cruise operations only; or
--Deactivating the air conditioning system so it cannot be used.
The FAA's Determination
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available
information related to the incidents described above, including the
relevant service
[[Page 27912]]
information, the FAA has determined that AD action should be taken to
prevent dangerous levels of carbon monoxide from entering the airplane
cabin during takeoff, climb, and descent operations caused by the
present flight cabin sealing design of the affected airplanes, which
could result in passenger injury.
Explanation of the Provisions of the AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Mooney Model M20R airplanes of the same type
design, the FAA is taking AD action. This AD requires either
fabricating and installing a placard that specifies using the air
conditioning system during cruise operations only or deactivating the
air conditioning system so it cannot be used.
Determination of the Effective Date of the AD
Since a situation exists (possible passenger injury caused by the
existence of dangerous carbon monoxide levels) 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 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 rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 99-CE-14-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that 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, 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:
99-11-07 Mooney Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-11178; Docket
No. 99-CE-14-AD.
Applicability: Model M20R airplanes, certificated in any
category; that incorporate the following serial numbers: 29-0033,
29-0062, 29-0088, 29-0090, 29-0092, 29-0096, 29-0098, 29-0109, 29-
0117, 29-0119, 29-0130, 29-0132, 29-0133, 29-0134, 29-0139, 29-0142,
29-0143, 29-0144, 29-0149, 29-0154, 29-0155, 29-0156, 29-0159, 29-
0161, 29-0162, 29-0164, 29-0171, 29-0172, and 29-0180.
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 (d) 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 25 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent dangerous levels of carbon monoxide from entering the
airplane cabin during takeoff, climb, and descent operations caused
by the present flight cabin sealing design of the affected
airplanes, which could result in passenger injury, accomplish the
following:
(a) Accomplish one of the following actions:
(1) Fabricate a placard that incorporates the following words
(using at least \1/8\-inch letters), and install this placard on the
instrument panel within the pilot's clear view:
``AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TO BE UTILIZED DURING CRUISE OPERATION ONLY''
Instead of fabricating the placard, it may be obtained from the
Mooney Aircraft Corporation at the address specified in paragraph
(e) of this AD, and is referenced in Mooney Service Bulletin M20-
270, Issued Date: March 1, 1999; or
(2) De-activate the air conditioning system.
(b) Accomplishing the placard requirements of paragraph (a)(1)
of 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).
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.197
[[Page 27913]]
and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished. Use of the air
conditioning system is prohibited during any such flight.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, FAA, Airplane Certification Office (ACO),
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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Fort Worth ACO (ASW-150).
(e) Mooney Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin M20-270, Issue
Date: March 1, 1999, may be obtained from the Mooney Aircraft
Corporation, Louis Schreiner Field, Kerrville, Texas 78028. Copies
of this document and other information related to this AD may be
inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on June 15, 1999.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 14, 1999.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-12974 Filed 5-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
