[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 183 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49252-49254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23989]
[[Page 49252]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-CE-67-AD; Amendment 39-9766; AD 95-19-18]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE TBM 700
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE (Socata) TBM 700
airplanes. This action requires installing four rivets on the right
side of the rudder and drilling drainage holes at the areas of the
elevators and rudder. Reports of water accumulating in the areas of the
elevators and rudder and a report of a bonding defect between the skin
and rudder rear spar on the affected airplanes prompted this action.
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the wing skin
and the rear spar from becoming unbonded or water accumulating in
either the elevators or rudder, which could result in loss of control
of the airplane.
DATES: Effective November 8, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of November 8, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from the SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Socata Product Support, Aeroport
Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930, 65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone
62.41.74.26; facsimile 62.41.74.32; or the Product Support Manager,
U.S. AEROSPATIALE, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053;
telephone (214) 641-3614; facsimile (214) 641-3527. This information
may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),
Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 95-CE-67-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. William J. Timberlake, Program Officer, Brussels Aircraft
Certification Division, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office, c/
o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; telephone (32 2)
513.38.30; facsimile (32 2) 230.68.99; or Mr. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut Street, suite
900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426- 6934; facsimile
(816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to This Action
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Socata TBM
700 airplanes registered in the United States was published in the
Federal Register on April 9, 1996 (61 FR 15738). The action proposed to
require installing four rivets on the right side of the rudder and
drilling drainage holes at the specified areas of the elevators and
rudder. Accomplishment of the proposed installation as specified in the
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) would be in accordance with Socata
Service Bulletin (SB) TBM 70-027 and Socata SB TBM 70- 028, both dated
September 1993.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the four comments received from one commenter.
Comment Issue No. 1: Divide the Proposal Into Two Different AD's
Socata suggests that the actions specified by the NPRM would be
clearer if they were broken out into two separate AD's. The reasons
that Socata gives are:
the Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which
is the airworthiness authority for France, issued two separate AD's;
there are two separate Socata service bulletins: Socata SB
TBM 70-027 and Socata SB TBM 70-028, both dated September 1993; and
justification, causes, and effects of each action proposed
in the NPRM are different.
The FAA concurs that the DGAC issued two separate AD's and that
there are two service bulletins. However, the FAA does not concur that
the justification, causes, and effects of each action proposed in the
NPRM are entirely different. Socata SB TBM 70-027 requires installing
four rivets on the rudder. If this is not accomplished and debonding
occurs, then moisture can accumulate in the rudder. Thus, Socata SB TBM
70-028 contains procedures for drilling drainage holes in the elevator
and rudder to reduce corrosion effects caused by moisture accumulation
that could lead to control surface imbalance. The FAA has determined
that one AD is justified because accomplishment of the actions
specified in both service bulletins will help prevent control surface
imbalance and the compliance times are exactly the same (thus
preventing the owner/operator from having to schedule the
accomplishment of two separate AD actions). No changes have been made
to the AD as a result of this comment.
Comment Issue No. 2: Need More Justification for Stating That the
Existing Conditions Could Cause Loss of Control of the Airplane
Socata states that, if the FAA believes that the conditions
specified in the NPRM, ``* * * if not detected and corrected, could
result in loss of control of the airplane'', then the FAA should be
more precise in stating how this is correct. Also, concerning the
bonding defect between the skin and the rear spar (Socata SB TBM 70-
027), Socata states that loss of control of the airplane is improbable
with the assumption that the safe life of the rudder will be affected
over time without corrective action.
The FAA believes that the conditions, if not detected and
corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane. The
objective of Socata SB 70-028 is to provide control surface drainage
(elevator and rudder). Moisture that accumulates in the control
surfaces can freeze when the aircraft climbs to a high altitude, which
then could result in control surface imbalance. This effect can cause
flutter, which can result in loss of control of the airplane. As
earlier explained (Comment Issue No. 1), the accomplishment of the
actions specified in both Socata SB TBM 70-027 and Socata SB TBM 70-028
will help prevent these control surface imbalances. No changes to the
AD have been made as a result of this comment.
Comment Issue No. 3: Problems With the Absence of Elevator and Rudder
Drainage Holes
Socata states that different problems could occur with the absence
of drainage holes in the elevator and rudder. These problems are:
--Corrosion for airplanes which could stay at parking for a long time
where water would stagnate,
--if the water freezes, it may slightly affect the controls balance.
No specific changes to the AD or recommendations for additional or
different AD action were presented by the commenter regarding this
issue. No changes to the AD have been made as a result of this comment.
[[Page 49253]]
Comment Issue No. 4: Workhours for Accomplishing Actions are
Incorrect
Socata states that the workhours for accomplishing the actions
specified in the NPRM are incorrect. For example:
--For installing the rivets, one workhour is required instead of two as
specified in the NPRM; and
--For drilling the drainage holes, 1.5 hours is needed instead of two
as specified in the NPRM.
The FAA concurs. However, FAA policy is to round fractional numbers
concerning workhours to the next whole number. Therefore, the workhours
for installing rivets will be changed in the AD to reflect 1 workhour;
however, the workhours for drilling the drainage holes will remain at 2
workhours.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, including the referenced service information,
the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require
the adoption of the rule as proposed except for the change to the
economic information and minor editorial corrections. The FAA has
determined that the change and minor corrections will not change the
meaning of the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the
public than was already proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 31 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by the required rivet installation and 35 airplanes will be
affected by the required drainage hole drillings, that it will take 1
workhour to install the rivets and 2 workhours to drill the drainage
holes, and that the average labor cost is $60 per hour. No cost is
attributed to parts that would be necessary to accomplish the required
actions since these parts are available through common operator stock
and an approximate cost cannot be traced. Based on these figures, the
total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$1,860 or $60 per airplane for the rivet installation and $4,200 or
$120 per airplane for the drainage hole drilling. Since parts are not
sold through the manufacturer, the FAA has no method of determining the
number of parts already distributed, and thus bases this cost impact
upon the assumption that no owner/operator of the affected airplanes
has accomplished the required actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
96-19-18 Socata Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-9766; Docket No.
95-CE-67-AD.
Applicability: TBM 700 airplanes (serial numbers 1 through 19,
21, 22, 25 through 34, 38, 39, 46, 49, 50, 52, 53, 57, 59 through
63, 67, 68, 70 through 78, 80, and 82 through 85), certificated in
any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
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 (d) 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 the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent the wing skin and the rear spar from becoming
unbonded or water accumulating in either the elevators or rudder,
which could result in loss of control of the airplane, accomplish
the following:
(a) For any TBM 700 airplane with a serial number in the
following range: 1 through 19, 21, 22, 25 through 34, 38, 39, 46,
49, 50, 52, 53, 57, 59, 61 through 63, 67, 68, and 71 through 75;
install four rivets on the right side of the rudder in accordance
with the DESCRIPTION section of Socata Service Bulletin (SB) TBM 70-
027, dated September 1993.
(b) For any TBM 700 airplane with a serial number in the
following range: 2 through 19, 21, 22, 24 through 34, 38, 39, 46,
49, 50, 52, 53, 57, 59 through 63, 67, 68, 70 through 78, 80, and 82
through 85; drill drainage holes in the area of the elevators and
rudder in accordance with the DESCRIPTION section of Socata SB TBM
70-028, dated September 1993.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Division,
FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office, c/o American Embassy,
B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. The request shall be forwarded through an
appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then
send it to the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Division.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Brussels Aircraft Certification Division.
(e) The rivet installation required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Socata Service Bulletin TBM 70-027, dated September
1993. The drainage hole drilling required by this AD shall be done
in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin TBM 70-028, dated
September 1993. This incorporation by reference was approved by the
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from the SOCATA Groupe
AEROSPATIALE, Socata Product Support, Aeroport Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes,
BP 930, 65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; or the Product Support Manager,
U.S. AEROSPATIALE, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053.
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,
Missouri, or
[[Page 49254]]
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(f) This amendment (39-9766) becomes effective on November 8,
1996.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 12, 1996.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-23989 Filed 9-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U