2000-09-06: Sleeve Terminal Ends

2000-09-06 MAULE AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.: Amendment 39-11715; Docket No. 2000-CE-04-AD. (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the following airplane models and serial numbers, certificated in any category: GROUP 1 AIRPLANES Models Serial Numbers MX-7-160C 34001C. M-7-260C 30001C through 30004C, 30007C through 30011C, 30013C, and 30014C. M-7-420AC 29001C. MX-7-180C 28001C through 28011C. MT-7-260 27001C and 27003C. M-7-260 26002C through 26007C. M-7-235C 25001C through 25037C, 25040C, 25041C, and 25044C. M-7-235A 24001C. M-7-235B 23001C through 23056C, 23058C, and 23059C. MX-7-180B 22001C through 22016C. MXT-7-180A 21001C through 21067C, 21070C, 21072C, 21076C, 21077C, 21079C, and 21081C. MX-7-180A 20001C through 20063C. MX-7-160 19001C through 19046C. MXT-7-160 17001C through 17008C. MT-7-235 18001C through 18041C, 18044C, and 18047C. M-8-235 15001C through 15005C. MXT-7-180 14000C through 14095C. MX-7-18011066C through 11097C. MX-7-235 10081C through 10122C. M-7-235 4078C, 4080C, 4083C, 4086C, and 4089C through 4132C. M-6-235 7508C, 7510C, 7516C, and 7518C through 7521C. GROUP 2 AIRPLANES Models Serial Numbers Bee Dee M-4 3 through 14. M-4 3 through 94 (Bee Dee: 3-14; and M-4: 15-94). M-4C 1C through 11C. M-4S 1S, 2S, and 3S. M-4T 1T, 2T, and 3T. M-4-210 1001 through 1045. M-4-210C 1001C through 1117C. M-4-220C 2001C through 2190C. M-4-220S 2001S. M-4-180C 3001C through 3006C. M-5-200 8015C and 8022C. M-5-210C 6001C through 6206C. M-5-220C 5001C through 5057C. M-5-235C 7001C through 7248C, 7250C through 7353C, A7354C, A7355C, 7356C, 7357C, A7358C, 7359C, A7360C, A7361C, 7362C through 7365C, A7366C, A7367C, 7368C through 7376C, 7445C, 7451C, 7460C, 7467C, 7470C, 7478C through 7480C, 7484C through 7487C, and 7515C. M-5-180C 8001C through 8014C, 8016C through 8019C, 8021C, 8023C through 8042C, 8044C through 8064C, and 8068C through 8094C. M-5-210T 9001C through 9010C. M-6-235 7249C, 7356C, 7379C through 7444C, 7446C through 7450C, 7452C through 7459C, 7461C through 7466C, 7468C, 7469C, 7471C through 7475C, 7488C through 7507C, 7509C, 7511C through 7514C, and 7517C. M-6-180 8020C, 8043C, and 8065C through 8067C. M-7-235 4001C through 4077C, 4079C, 4081C, 4082C, 4084C, 4085C, 4087C, and 4088C. M-7-235 12001C and 12002C. These airplanes were manufactured as Model M-7-235 airplanes and then modified in accordance with STC SA2661SO. This modification changed the model designation of these airplanes to M-7-420. MX-7-235 10001C through 10080C. MX-7-180 11001C through 11065C. MX-7-420 13001C through 13003C. (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any of the above airplanes on the U.S. Register must comply with this AD. (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct improper crimping of the NicopressTM sleeve, which couldcause a control cable to slip from the sleeve. This could result in loss of rudder, elevator, aileron, or flap control. (d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this problem, accomplish the following: Action Compliance Time Procedures Inspect all NicopressTM sleeve terminal ends for correct size compression. For Group 1 airplanes: Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after May 30, 2000 (the effective date of this AD); and For Group 2 airplanes: Within the next 100 hours TIS after May 30, 2000 (the effective date of this AD). Accomplish in accordance with the ACTION TO BE TAKEN AND TOOLS REQUIRED section of Maule Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 20, dated December 27, 1999. Adjust or replace any terminal compressions that are outside of the limits specified in the service information. Prior to further flight after the inspection required by this AD. Accomplish in accordance with the ACTION TO BE TAKEN AND TOOLS REQUIRED section of MauleMandatory Service Bulletin No. 20, dated December 27, 1999. Do not install a NicopressTM sleeve without assuring that the terminal compressions are within the limits specified in the service information. As of May 30, 2000 (the effective date of this AD). Accomplish in accordance with the ACTION TO BE TAKEN AND TOOLS REQUIRED section of Maule Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 20, dated December 27, 1999. (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? (1) You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if: (i) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of safety; and (ii) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO. (2) This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it hasbeen 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)(1) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific actions you propose to address it. (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved alternative methods of compliance? Contact Cindy Lorenzen, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6078; facsimile: (770) 703-6097. (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to comply with this AD? FAAcan issue a special flight permit under sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where you can accomplish the requirements of this AD . (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by reference? You must accomplish the actions required by this AD in accordance with Maule Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 20, dated December 27, 1999. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get copies from Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc., 2099 Georgia Hwy. 133 South, Moultrie, Georgia 31768. You can look at copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC. (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment becomes effective on May 30, 2000.