SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, “FAA-2006-26071; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-51-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

We received information from Mooney Airplane Company, Inc., that during the manufacturing process of Models M20M Serial Numbers 27-0317 through 27-0355 and Models M20R Serial Numbers 29-0290 through 29-0448, the firewall insulation and upholstery covering attached to the interior surface of the firewall, located behind the instrument panel, may be compressed between the fuselage tubular frame and the stainless steel firewall at the upper left and upper right engine mount points. This may prevent the engine mount attaching hardware from maintaining torque to engineering design.

This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure to maintain proper fastener torque, leading to reduced engine mount load carrying capability and possible engine mount failure.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Mooney Airplane Company, Inc. Service Bulletin M20-292, dated September 22, 2006. The service information describes procedures for:

• Retorquing the upper left and upper right engine mounting hardware;
• Removing the upper left and upper right engine mount attaching hardware;
• Cutting out and removing the upholstery and insulation between the fuselage tubular frame and the firewall; and
• Replacing the upper left and upper right engine mount attaching hardware with the new parts kit.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD would require you to retorque the upper left and upper right engine mounting hardware as an interim action. This proposed AD would also require you to remove the upper left and upper right engine mount attaching hardware, cut out and remove the upholstery and insulation between the fuselage tubular frame and the firewall, and replace the upper left and upper right engine mount attaching hardware with the new parts kit. ( printed page 65063)

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 198 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs for the proposed procedures:

Note:

Mooney will provide warranty credit for parts and labor as specified in the Mooney Airplane Company, Inc. Service Bulletin M20-292, dated September 22, 2006.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.

We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, “General requirements.” Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed regulation:

1. Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866;

2. Is not a “significant rule” under the 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: