[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 75 (Monday, April 20, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19384-19385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10180]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-42-AD; Amendment 39-10476; AD 98-08-27]
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 modifying the airplane's left-hand (LH)
front side lower panel. 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
interference between the side trim of the LH front side lower panel and
the roll control compass on the LH wheel assembly, which could result
in loss of directional control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective May 31, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 31, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Support Client/Customer Support,
Aerodrome Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 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 may also be
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-42-
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 February 5, 1998 (63 FR 5898). The NPRM
proposed to require modifying the airplane's left-hand (LH) front side
lower panel. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the
NPRM would be in accordance with SOCATA Service Bulletin No. SB 70-061-
25, dated June, 1995.
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 40 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $15 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $10,200 or $255 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:
98-08-27 Socata--Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10476; Docket
No. 97-CE-42-AD.
Applicability: Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 24, 26,
27, 29 through 32, 34,
[[Page 19385]]
36 through 106, and all serial numbers equipped with modification
MOD 70-019-25 or Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2786CE,
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
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent interference between the side trim of the left-hand
(LH) side lower panel and the roll control compass on the LH wheel
assembly, which could result in loss of directional control of the
airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Modify the LH front side lower panel in accordance with part
``B. MODIFICATION'' of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of
SOCATA Service Bulletin No. SB 70-061-25, dated June, 1995.
(b) The instructions in this AD take precedence over part ``A.
CHECK: DURING EACH PREFLIGHT INSPECTION'' of the ACCOMPLISHMENT
INSTRUCTIONS section in SOCATA Service Bulletin No. SB 70-061-25,
dated June, 1995.
(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, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane
Certification Service, 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.
(e) Questions or technical information related to SOCATA Service
Bulletin No. SB 70-061-25, dated June, 1995, should be directed to
SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Support Client/Customer Support,
Aerodrome Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 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 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 modification required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with SOCATA Service Bulletin No. SB 70-061-25, dated
June, 1995. 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, Support Client/Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-
Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930, F65009 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.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on May 31, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 9, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10180 Filed 4-17-98; 8:45 am]
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