AD 2016-04-04 Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LLC Airplanes

This AD applies to M7 Aerospace LLC Models SA26-AT, SA226-T(B), SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and SA227-TT airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

Unless already done, within the next 30 days after April 8, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), do the actions in paragraph (g) of this AD, as applicable, including all subparagraphs.

Incorporate the applicable M7 Aerospace LLC AFM revisions as listed in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(12) of this AD: (1) For Model SA26-AT Dash One airplanes: Insert section III, pages III-1 through III-6, revised May 14, 2015; and pages III-7 through III-8, FAA Approved May 14, 2015; into the Merlin Model SA-26AT Dash One AFM, Revision. (2) For Model SA26-AT Dash Two airplanes: Insert section III, pages III-1 through III-6, revised May 14, 2015; and pages III-7 through III-8, FAA Approved May 14, 2015; into the Merlin Model SA-26AT Dash Two AFM, Revision. (3) For Model SA226-T airplanes: Insert section III, pages III-2 though III-25, revised November 14, 2014, and page III-26, FAA approved November 14, 2014, into the Swearingen Merlin SA226-T AFM, Reissue A, dated June 28, 1976. (4) For Model SA226-AT airplanes: Insert section III, pages III-2 through III-24, revised November 14, 2014, and pages III-25 through III-30, FAA approved November 14, 2014, into the Merlin SA226-AT AFM, Reissue B, dated May 6, 1977. (5) For Model SA226-T(B) airplanes: Insert section 3, pages 3-2, through page 3-20, revised November 14, 2014; and pages 3-21 through 3-24, issued November 14, 2014; into the Merlin IIB SA226-T(B) AFM, Reissue B, dated November 2, 1979. (6) For Model SA226-TC airplanes: Insert section III, pages III-2 through page III-24, revised November 14, 2014; and pages III-25 through III-32, FAA Approved November 14, 2014; into the Swearingen Metro SA226-TC AFM, Reissue A, dated December 1, 1976. (7) For Model SA227-AT airplanes: (i) Model 4AT: Insert section 3, pages 3-4 through 3-30, revised November 14, 2014; and pages 3-31 through 3-34, FAA Approved November 14, 2014; into the Model SA227-AT (4AT) Merlin IVC POH/AFM, Reissue A, dated November 30, 1988; (ii) Model 6AT: Insert section 3, pages 3-4 through 3-30, revised November 14, 2014; and pages 3-31 through 3-36, FAA Approved November 14, 2014 into the SA227-AT (6AT) Merlin IVC POH/AFM, dated May 13, 1987. (iii) Model 7AT: Insert section 3, pages 3-4 through 3-30, revised December 9, 2014, and pages 3-31 through 3-34, FAA Approved December 9, 2014, into the SA227-AT (7AT) Merlin IVC POH/AFM, Reissue B, dated November 30, 1988. (iv) Model 8AT: Insert section 3, pages 3-4 through 3-30, revised December 9, 2014; and pages 3-31 through 3-34, FAA Approved December 9, 2014; into the SA227-AT (8AT) Merlin IVC POH/AFM, dated May 13, 1987. (8) For Model SA227-TT Fairchild 300 airplanes: Insert section 3, pages 3-3 through 3-30, revised December 9, 2014; and pages 3-31 through 3-34, FAA Approved December 9, 2014; into the SA227-TT Fairchild 300 POH/AFM, Reissue A, dated August 7, 1981. (9) For Model SA227-TT Fairchild 312 airplanes: Insert section 3, page 3-3 and pages 3-5 through 3-30, revised December 9, 2014; and pages 3-31 through 3-32, FAA Approved December 9, 2014; into the Model SA227-TT Fairchild 300 (312) 12,500 LBS POH/AFM, dated October 4, 1981. (10) For Model SA227-TT Fairchild Merlin IIIC airplanes: Insert section 3, pages 3-3 through 3-24, revised December 9, 2014, and pages 3-25 through 3-32, issued December 9, 2014; into the SA227-TT Merlin IIIC POH/AFM, Reissue A, dated August 7, 1981. (11) For Model SA227-AC (C-26A) airplanes: (i) Model 4AC: Insert section 3, pages 3-3 through 3-30, revised November 14, 2014; into the Fairchild Aircraft Model SA227-AC Metro III AFM, Reissue B, dated November 7, 1990. (ii) Model 4MC: Insert section 3, pages 3-4 through 3-30, revised November 14, 2014; and pages 3-31 through 3-36, FAA Approved November 14, 2014, into the Fairchild Aircraft Model SA227-AC Metro III AFM, Reissue A, dated May 22, 1989. (iii) Model 7AC: Insert section 3, pages 3-3 through 3-30, revised December 9, 2014; and pages 3-31 through 3-34, FAA Approved December 9, 2014, into the Fairchild Aircraft Model SA227-AC Metro III AFM, Reissue B, dated April 2, 1986. (iv) Model 7MC: Insert section 3, pages 3-4 through 3-30, revised December 9, 2014; and pages 3-31 through 3-34, FAA Approved December 9, 2014, into the Fairchild Aircraft Model SA227-AC Metro III AFM, Reissue A, dated May 22, 1989. (v) Model 8AC: Insert section 3, pages 3-4 through 3-30, revised December 9, 2014; and pages 3-31 through 3-34, FAA Approved December 9, 2014, into the Fairchild Aircraft Model SA227-AC Metro III AFM, Reissue A, dated May 22, 1989. (vi) Model 6AC: Insert section 3, pages 3-4 through 3-20, revised November 14, 2014; into the Fairchild Aircraft Model SA227-AC Metro III AFM, Reissue A, dated May 22, 1989. (12) For Model SA227-BC (6BC) airplanes: Insert section 3, pages 3-4 through 3-30, revised December 9, 2014; and pages 3-31 through 3-36, FAA Approved December 9, 2014, into the Fairchild Aircraft Model SA227-BC AFM, dated September 25, 1989. (13) For Model SA227-DC (C-26B) airplanes: (i) Model (6DC): Insert section 3, pages 3-3 through 3-26, revised December 9, 2014; and pages 3-27 through 3-32, FAA Approved December 9, 2014, into the Fairchild Aircraft Model SA227-DC AFM, dated August 23, 1991. (ii) Model (8DC): Insert section 3, pages 3-3 through 3-31, revised December 9, 2014; and pages 3-32 through 3-34, FAA Approved December 9, 2014; into the Fairchild Aircraft Model SA227-DC AFM. (14) For Model SA227-CC (6CC) airplanes: Insert section 3, pages 3-3 through 3-24, revised December 9, 2014; and pages 3-25 through 3-30, FAA Approved December 9, 2014; into the Fairchild Aircraft Model SA227-CC AFM, dated December 11, 1992.

This AD was prompted by information that a pilot's sole reliance on the negative torque system (NTS) for reducing drag in the event of engine power loss may result in the pilot's failure to initiate the Engine Failure Inflight checklist and feather the propellers in time. This could lead the pilot to not fully feather the propeller with consequent loss of control. We are issuing this AD to add information to the airplane flight manual (AFM) and/or Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) that reliance on the NTS to reduce drag during an engine failure could lead the pilot to not fully feather the propeller with consequent loss of control.

None.