2012-05-09: Stabilizers

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 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] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD) 2012-03-52, Amendment 39-16958 (77 FR 12179, February 29, 2012) and adding the following new AD: 2012-05-09 Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. (Mooney): Amendment 39- 16981; Docket No. FAA-2012-0275; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-009- AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective March 20, 2012. (b) Affected ADs This AD supersedes AD 2012-03-52, Amendment 39-16958 (77 FR 12179, February 29, 2012). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. (Mooney) Models M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, M20R, M20S, and M20TN airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55; Stabilizers. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of an incident on a Mooney Model M20TN airplane regarding failure of the tail pitch trim assembly and the potential for this condition to exist on other airplane models, which could result in loss of control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Inspection Within the next 10 hours time-in-service March 20, 2012 (after the effective date of this AD), inspect the trim fitting, hinge, and filler plate of the tail pitch trim assembly for correct positioning and proper attachment; and also inspect that the Huck Bolt fasteners are properly secured following Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. Service Bulletin No. M20-313A, dated February 29, 2012. (h) Corrective Action If during the inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD you find incorrect positioning or improper attachment of the trim fitting, hinge, and filler plate of the tail pitch trim assembly; and/or you find loose or improperly installed Huck Bolt fasteners, before further flight, repair and correct the discrepancies following Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. Service Bulletin No. M20- 314A, dated February 29, 2012. (i) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service Information (1) This paragraph provides credit for inspections required in paragraph (g) of this AD if already done before March 20, 2012 (the effective date of this AD) following Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. Service Bulletin No. M20-313, dated February 7, 2012. (2) This paragraph provides credit for repairs required in paragraph (h) of this ADif already done before March 20, 2012 (the effective date of this AD) following Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. Service Bulletin No. M20-314, dated February 10, 2012. (j) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits are prohibited for this AD. (k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Fort Worth ACO, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (l) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-150 (c/o MIDO-43), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio, Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 308-3365; facsimile: (210) 308-3370; email: andrew.mcanaul@faa.gov. (m) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) You must use the following service information to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51: (i) Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. Service Bulletin No. M20-313A, dated February 29, 2012; and (ii) Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. Service Bulletin No. M20- 314A, dated February 29, 2012. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Mooney Aviation Company, Inc., 165 Al Mooney Road North, Kerrville, Texas 78028; telephone: (830) 896-6000; email: technicalsupport@mooney.com; Internet: www.mooney.com. (3) You may review copies of thereferenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. (4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr_locations.html.