AD 2008-24-02 Airworthiness Directives; Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. M-4, M-5, M-6, and M-7 Series and Model M-8-235 Airplanes

Makes named: maule. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any category:   Model Serial Nos. Bee Dee M-4 All serial numbers. M-4 All serial numbers. M-4-180C All serial numbers. M-4-180V 47001T through 47014T. M-4-210 All serial numbers. M-4-210C All serial numbers. M-4-210S All serial numbers. M-4-220C All serial numbers. M-4-220S All serial numbers. M-4C All serial numbers. M-4S All serial numbers. M-4T All serial numbers. M-5-180C All serial numbers. M-5-200 All serial numbers. M-5-210C All serial numbers. M-5-210TC All serial numbers. M-5-220C All serial numbers. M-5-235C All serial numbers. M-6-180 8020C, 8043C, 8065C through 8067C. M-6-235 7249C, 7356C, 7379C through 7444C, 7446C through 7450C, 7452C through 7459C, 7461C through 7466C, 7468C, 7469C, 7471C through 7475C, 7488C through 7514C, 7516C through 7522C. M-7-235 4001C through 4132C, 12001C, 12002C. M-7-235A 24001C. M-7-235B 23001C through 23105C. M-7-235C 25001C through 25106C. M-7-260 26001C through 26021C. M-7-260C 30001C through 30040C. M-7-420A 35001C. M-7-420AC 29001C, 29003C through 29007C. M-8-235 15001C through 15006C. MT-7-235 18001C through 18097C, 18099C, 18100C. MT-7-260 27001C through 27014C. MT-7-420 51001C, 51002C. MX-7-160 19001C through 19046C. MX-7-160C 34001C. MX-7-180 11001C through 11097C. MX-7-180A 20001C through 20064C. MX-7-180AC 33001C through 33010C. MX-7-180B 22001C through 22025C, 22027C. MX-7-180C 28001C through 28027C. MX-7-235 10001C through 10122C. MX-7-420 13001C through 13003C. MXT-7-160 17001C through 17008C. MXT-7-180 14000C through 14125C. MXT-7-180A 21001C through 21096C.

To address this problem, you must do the following, unless already done:   Actions Compliance Procedures (1) Using yellow enamel paint, color code the following: (i) the top of the rear elevator control horn; (ii) the elevator control cable end attached to the top of the rear control horn; (iii) the bottom of the forward elevator control horn; and (iv) the elevator control cable end attached to the bottom of the forward control horn Before the next time the elevator control cable is disconnected for any reason or within the next 12 calendar months after December 30, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first. Follow Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 30, dated March 4, 2008. (2) Insert the following text into the rigging procedure section of your FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g. maintenance manual): “CAUTION—BEFORE FLIGHT WHENEVER ELEVATOR CABLES ARE RECONNECTED OR NEW CABLES INSTALLED: Always check operation of elevators after a cable reconnect by pulling back on the control and ascertain that the elevators are in the UP position.” Before the next time the elevator control cable is disconnected for any reason or within the next 12 calendar months after December 30, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first. Follow Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 30, dated March 4, 2008. You may insert a copy of this AD or you may insert the text located on the bottom of page 3 of Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 30, dated March 4, 2008, into the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., 1 maintenance manual). Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (f) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to Attn: Gerald Avella, Aerospace Engineer, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6066; fax: (770) 703-6097; e-mail: gerald.avella@faa.gov . Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. Material Incorporated by Reference (g) You must use Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 30, dated March 4, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc., 2099 Georgia Highway 133 South, Moultrie, Georgia 31788; telephone: (229) 985-2045; fax: (229) 985-2048; e-mail: engineering@mauleairinc.com ; Internet: http://www.mauleairinc.com . (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html . Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 10, 2008. James E. Jackson, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-27364 Filed 11-24-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from two reports of accidents where reversed elevator control rigging was a factor. We are issuing this AD to reduce the likelihood of a mechanic rigging the elevator controls backwards, which could result in elevator movement in the opposite direction from control input. This failure could lead to loss of control.