[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7080-7082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3513]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-76-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale Model TBM 
700 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale Model TBM 
700 airplanes. The proposed action would require inspecting the 
elevator trim tab for cracks, and replacing any elevator trim tab part 
found to have cracks. The proposed AD is the result of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness 
authority for France. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent cracks in the elevator trim tab fitting, which, if 
not detected and corrected, could result in separation of the elevator 
trim tab and loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 16, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-76-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-
Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930--F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone (33) 
62.41.73.00; facsimile (33) 62.41.76.54; 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 also may be examined at the 
Rules Docket at the address above.

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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned 
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 97-CE-76-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-76-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale TBM 700 
airplanes. The DGAC reports that cracks in the elevator trim tab were 
found during routine maintenance inspections.

[[Page 7081]]

Investigation on the cause of the cracking showed that a particular 
batch of elevator trim tab fittings were defective from the 
manufacturer. Continued progression of the cracks in these elevator 
trim tab fittings could reduce the structural soundness of the elevator 
trim tab. This condition, if not corrected, could result in separation 
of the elevator trim tab from the airplane and cause loss of control of 
the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    SOCATA has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 70-079-55, dated 
April 1996, which specifies procedures for inspecting for cracks in the 
elevator trim tab fittings and replacing any cracked part.
    The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
French AD 96-118(B), dated June 19, 1996, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

The FAA's Determination

    The SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplane is manufactured in France and is 
type certificated for operation in the United States under the 
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant 
to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA 
informed of the situation described above.
    The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC, reviewed all 
available information including the service information referenced 
above, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this 
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other SOCATA Model TBM 700 series airplanes of the 
same type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would 
require inspecting the elevator trim tab fittings for cracks using a 
dye penetrant method, and replacing any cracked part. Accomplishment of 
the proposed inspection and replacement would be in accordance with 
SOCATA TBM Aircraft Service Bulletin No. SB 70-079-55, dated April 
1996.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 16 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 
workhour per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,160 
or $260 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would 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) if promulgated, 
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 draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale: Docket No. 97-CE-76-AD.

    Applicability: Model TBM 700 airplanes (all serial numbers), 
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 (e) 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 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent cracks in the elevator trim tab fitting, which, if 
not detected and corrected, could result in separation of the 
elevator trim tab and loss of control of the airplane, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Inspect the left-and right-hand elevator trim tab fittings 
for cracks using a dye penetrant aerosol method in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions section in SOCATA TBM Aircraft 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 70-079-55, dated April, 1996.
    (b) If cracks are found, prior to further flight, replace the 
cracked part with one of improved design in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions section in SOCATA TBM Aircraft SB No. 
70-079-55, dated April, 1996.
    (c) No person may install an elevator trim tab fitting 
manufactured between January 1, 1993 and February 29, 1996, on any 
of the affected airplanes.
    (d) 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.
    (e) 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.

    (f) Questions or technical information related to Service 
Bulletin No. 70-079-55, issued April 1996, should be directed to 
SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-
Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930--F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone (33) 
62.41.73.00; facsimile 62.41.76.54; 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 service information may be examined 
at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the

[[Page 7082]]

Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 96-
118(B), dated June 19, 1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 4, 1998.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3513 Filed 2-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U