[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6636-6637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3231]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-43-AD; Amendment 39-10317; AD 98-04-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE Model 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) Model TBM 700
airplanes. This AD requires replacing the starter generator mounting
adapter with a part of improved design. This AD is the result of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the
airworthiness authority for France. The actions specified by this AD
are intended to prevent loss of the starter generator caused by failure
of the starter generator mounting adapter, which could result in loss
of electrical power.
DATES: Effective March 24, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 24, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from 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,
SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road,
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 964-6877; facsimile:
(954) 964-1668. This information may also be examined at the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-43-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. Karl Schletzbaum, 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 the Issuance of This AD
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 Model
TBM 700 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 7, 1997 (62 FR 60184). The NPRM
proposed to require replacing the starter generator mounting adapter
with a part of improved design by incorporating Socata Kit No.
OPT70K0058-24. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in
the NPRM would be required in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin
No. SB 70-072, dated January 1996.
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD
[[Page 6637]]
and will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already
proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 55 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD.
This replacement will take approximately 2 workhours per airplane
to accomplish, at an average labor rate of approximately $60 an hour.
Parts to accomplish this AD will be provided by the manufacturer at no
cost to the owners/operators of the affected airplanes. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $6,600, or $120 per airplane.
Differences Between the French AD, the Service Bulletin, and This
AD
French AD 95-242(B)R1, dated February 28, 1996, and Socata Service
Bulletin No. SB 70-072, dated January 1996, both give the owners/
operators of certain Model TBM 700 airplanes the option of replacing
the starter generator mounting adapter immediately or inspecting this
adapter for cracks every 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) up to 100 hours
TIS, at which time the replacement is mandatory. This allows the
owners/operators the option of having their airplanes inspected up to
three times before mandatory replacement, provided no cracked adapters
were found, which, if found cracked, would require immediate
replacement.
The FAA has determined that, since the parts for the replacement
are free; the parts are available; and the action takes less than 2
workhours to accomplish, 25 hours TIS will be adequate time to
incorporate the replacement. This AD will require replacing the starter
generator mounting adapter within 25 hours TIS, and will not allow the
option of repetitively inspecting every 25 hours TIS up to 100 hours
TIS.
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:
98-04-04 Socata-Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10317; Docket No.
97-CE-43-AD.
Applicability: Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 1 through
109, 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 (c) 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 25 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent loss of the starter generator caused by failure of
the starter generator mounting adapter, which could result in loss
of electrical power, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the starter generator mounting adapter with a part
of improved design by incorporating Socata Kit No. OPT70K0058-24.
This replacement shall be accomplished in accordance with the
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Socata Service Bulletin No.
SB 70-072, dated January 1996.
(b) 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.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1201
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane
Directorate.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) Questions or technical information related to Socata Service
Bulletin No. SB 70-072, dated January 1996, should be directed to
SOCATA-Groupe Aerospatiale, Socata Product Support, Aeroport Tarbes-
Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930, 65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; or Perry
Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023;
telephone: (954) 964-6877; facsimile: (954) 964-1688. This service
information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,
Missouri.
(e) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Socata
Service Bulletin No. SB 70-072, dated January 1996. 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 SOCATA-Groupe Aerospatiale, Socata
Product Support, Aeroport Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930, 65009
Tarbes Cedex, France; or Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road, Pembroke
Pines, Florida 33023. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 95-
242(B)R1, dated February 28, 1996.
(f) This amendment (39-10317) becomes effective on March 24,
1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 2, 1998.
Carolanne L. Cabrini,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3231 Filed 2-9-98; 8:45 am]
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