[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P