[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 39 (Friday, February 27, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9926-9928]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4243]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-70-AD; Amendment 39-10358; AD 98-04-47]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE Models TB9, 
TB10, and TB200 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) Models TB9, 
TB10, and TB200 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the main landing 
gear (MLG) support ribs for cracks, replacing MLG support ribs that 
have cracks beyond a certain level, and incorporating a certain MLG 
support rib reinforcement kit. 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 MLG failure caused by cracks in the support ribs, which could 
result in loss of control of the airplane during landing operations.

DATES: Effective April 3, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 3, 1998.

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, 
SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road, 
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 964-

[[Page 9927]]

 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. 95-CE-70-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 Models 
TB9, TB10, and TB200 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as 
a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 24, 1997 (62 FR 
67300). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the MLG support ribs 
for cracks, replacing any MLG support ribs that have cracks beyond a 
certain level, and incorporating a certain MLG support rib 
reinforcement kit if cracks beyond a certain level are not found. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 10-085, Amdt. 2, 
dated April 1996. Accomplishment of the kit modifications, as 
applicable, would be in accordance with either the technical 
instructions included with the kit or the maintenance manual.
    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 and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 146 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of this inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $8,760, or $60 per airplane.
    The required modification will take approximately 1 workhour to 
incorporate the applicable kits on each wing (total of 2 workhours), 
and the average labor rate is approximately $60 per hour. Parts cost 
approximately $1,200 per airplane ($300 per kit; 2 kits per wing  x  2 
wings per airplane). Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
this modification on U.S. operators is estimated to be $192,720, or 
$1,320 per airplane.

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:

98-04-47  Socata--Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10358; Docket 
No. 95-CE-70-AD.

    Applicability: Models TB9, TB10, and TB200 airplanes, serial 
numbers 1 through 9999, 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent main landing gear (MLG) failure caused by cracks in 
the support ribs, which could result in loss of control of the 
airplane during landing operations, accomplish the following:

    Note 2: The compliance times of this AD are presented in 
landings instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). If the number of 
landings is unknown, hours TIS may be used by multiplying the number 
of hours TIS by 1.5.
    Note 3: The paragraph structure of this AD is as follows:
    Level 1: (a), (b), (c), etc.
    Level 2: (1), (2), (3), etc.
    Level 3: (i), (ii), (iii), etc.
    Level 2 and Level 3 structures are designations of the Level 1 
paragraph they immediately follow.

    (a) For TB9, serial numbers (S/N) 1 through 1442 and 1444 
through 1574; and TB10, S/N 1 through 803; 805; 806; 809 through 
815; 820; 821; and 822, airplanes that are not equipped with either 
wing rib reinforcement kit No. OPT10910800 (TB9 and TB10 airplanes) 
or do not have reinforced ribs (TB10 airplanes), part number (P/N) 
TB10 11008001 and P/N TB10 11008002, accomplish the following:
    (1) Upon accumulating 1,500 landings on the MLG support ribs or 
within the next 75 landings after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, inspect the MLG support ribs for cracks at 
all four locations (two per wing) in accordance with the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS

[[Page 9928]]

section of Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 10-085, Amdt. 2, dated 
April 1996.
    (2) If any cracks are found that are out of the tolerances 
specified in the maintenance manual, prior to further flight, 
replace the ribs with reinforced ribs, P/N TB10 11008001 and P/N 
TB10 11008002. Accomplish the replacement in accordance with the 
maintenance manual.
    (3) If any cracks are found that are within the tolerances 
specified in the maintenance manual, prior to further flight, 
incorporate wing rib reinforcement kit No. OPT10 910800 in 
accordance with the maintenance manual.
    (4) If no cracks are found, upon accumulating 3,000 landings on 
the MLG support ribs or within the next 100 landings after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, incorporate wing 
rib reinforcement kit No. OPT10 910800 in accordance with the 
maintenance manual.
    (b) For Models TB10 and TB200 airplanes, S/N 804; 807; 808; 816 
through 819; 823 through 1701; 1707 through 1733; and 1737 to 1761, 
accomplish the following:
    (1) Upon accumulating 6,000 landings on the MLG support ribs or 
within the next 75 landings after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, inspect the MLG support ribs for cracks at 
all four locations (two per wing) in accordance with the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Socata Service Bulletin No. 
SB 10-085, Amdt. 2, dated April 1996.
    (2) At the applicable compliance time presented below, 
incorporate wing rib reinforcement kit No. OPT10 920100 in 
accordance with the Technical Instruction of Modification, OPT10 
9201-57, Reinforcement of the Main Landing Gear Support Ribs, which 
incorporates the following pages:


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         Pages               Revision level                Date         
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1 and 2...............  Amendment 1.............  Apr. 1996.            
3 through 27..........  Original Issue..........  Nov. 1995.            
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    (i) Prior to further flight if any cracks are found.
    (ii) Upon accumulating 7,500 landings on the MLG support ribs or 
within the next 100 landings after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, if no cracks are found.
    (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 times 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to the service 
information referenced in this AD should be directed to 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 service information may be examined 
at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri.
    (f) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 10-085, Amdt. 2, 
dated April 1996. The modification required by this AD should be 
done in accordance with the Technical Instruction of Modification, 
OPT10 9201-57, Reinforcement of the Main Landing Gear Support Ribs, 
which incorporates the following pages:


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         Pages               Revision level                Date         
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1 and 2...............  Amendment 1.............  Apr. 1996.            
3 through 27..........  Original Issue..........  Nov. 1995.            
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    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 the Product Support Manager, SOCATA--
Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North 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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 94-
265(A)R4, dated June 19, 1996.

    (g) This amendment (39-10358) becomes effective on April 3, 
1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 11, 1998.
Carolanne L. Cabrini,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4243 Filed 2-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P