[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 171 (Thursday, September 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46868-46870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23394]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-64-AD; Amendment 39-10729; AD 98-18-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE Models TB20 
and TB21 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 TB20 and 
TB21 airplanes. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the main 
landing gear (MLG) attachment bearing (using a dye penetrant method) 
for cracks, and if cracks are found, replacing the bearing. 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 detect and correct cracks in the MLG 
attachment bearing, which could result in collapse of the main landing 
gear during taxi and landing operations.

DATES: Effective October 24, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 24, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from the SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Socata Product Support, Aerodrome 
Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930--F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone: 
33.5.62.41.76.52; facsimile: 33.5.62.41.76.54; 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. 95-CE-64-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 
TB20 and TB21 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on June 26, 1998 (63 FR 34830). 
The NPRM proposed to require repetitively inspecting (using a dye 
penetrant method) for cracks on the MLG attachment bearing. If cracks 
are found, the NPRM proposed to require replacing the cracked 
attachment bearing. Accomplishment of the proposed actions as specified 
in the NPRM would be in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 
10-080 57, Amdt. 2, dated November 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

[[Page 46869]]

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 199 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    Accomplishing the inspection will take approximately 4 workhours 
per airplane, and the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the inspection on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $47,760, or $240 per airplane.
    The replacement will take approximately 1 workhour to replace the 
bearing, if necessary, at an average labor rate of $60 per hour. Parts 
cost approximately $800 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the modification on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$171,140, or $860 per airplane.
    The FAA has no way to determine the number of repetitive 
inspections that will be incurred over the life of the 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:

98-18-13  Socata--Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10729; Docket 
No. 95-CE-64-AD.

    Applicability: Models TB20 and TB21 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 (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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To detect and correct cracks in the main landing gear (MLG) 
attachment bearing, which could result in collapse of the MLG during 
taxi and 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.

    (a) Upon the accumulation of 6,000 landings, upon the 
accumulation of 4,000 hours total TIS, or within the next 100 hours 
TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
inspect (with a dye penetrant method) the main landing gear (MLG) 
attachment bearing for cracks in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions in SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB 10-080 57, Amdt. 
2, dated November 1995;
    (1) If no cracks are found, continue to inspect the MLG 
attachment bearing for cracks at intervals not to exceed 1,500 
landings or 1,000 hours TIS, whichever occurs later, until cracks 
are found, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in the 
SOCATA SB No. SB 10-080 57, Amdt. 2, dated November 1995;
    (2) If cracks are found in the MLG attachment bearing during any 
inspection required by this AD, prior to further flight, replace the 
MLG attachment bearing in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions in the SOCATA SB No. SB 10-080 57, Amdt. 2, dated 
November 1995; and,
    (3) Upon the accumulation of 6,000 landings or 4,000 hours TIS 
after the date of any MLG attachment bearing replacement, whichever 
occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 
landings or 1,000 hours TIS, inspect the MLG attachment bearing for 
cracks as specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (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 
initial or repetitive 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 3: 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 10-080 57, Amdt. 2, dated November 1995, should be 
directed the SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Socata Product Support, 
Aerodrome Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930--F65009 Tarbes Cedex, 
France; telephone: 33.5.62.41.76.52; facsimile: 33.5.62.41.76.54; or 
the Product Support Manager, SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North 
Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; 
telephone: (954) 893-1160; facsimile: (954) 964-4141. 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 64106.
    (e) The inspections and replacement required by this AD shall be 
done in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 10-080 57, 
Amdt. 2, dated November 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, 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

[[Page 46870]]

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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 94-
266(A)R2, dated December 6, 1995.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 24, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 25, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-23394 Filed 9-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P