[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 197 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54565-54567]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26968]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-58-AD; Amendment 39-10824; AD 98-21-15]
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

[[Page 54566]]

applies to certain SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE (SOCATA) Model TBM 700 
airplanes. This AD requires modifying the oxygen generators. 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 failure of the oxygen generators 
caused by misalignment of the firing pin, which could result in crew 
incapacitation and loss of the airplane.

DATES: Effective November 20, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-
Ossun-Lourdes, BP 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) 894-
1160; facsimile: (954) 964-4191. This information may also be examined 
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-58-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 TBM 
700 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on July 16, 1998 (63 FR 38351). The NPRM 
proposed to require modifying the oxygen generator by replacing the 
firing pin and adding a washer. This modification should ensure that 
the firing pin stays aligned and strikes the oxygen generator in the 
correct manner. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in 
the NPRM would be in accordance with SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin 
No. 70-046-35, dated May 1998.
    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 60 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts are available at minimal costs. Based 
on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $7,200, or $120 per airplane.

Differences Between the French AD, the Service Bulletin, and this 
AD

    French AD No. T98-195(A), dated June 3, 1998, and SOCATA Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. 70-046-35, dated May 1998, both specify modifying 
the oxygen generator at the next scheduled maintenance inspection. The 
foreign AD and the service information differ in that the DGAC mandates 
that this action be accomplished on airplanes of French registry no 
later than August 31, 1998, and the service bulletin specifies that the 
action be accomplished no later than 3 months from the date of the 
service bulletin. This AD will require the modification be accomplished 
within 45 days after the effective date of the AD.
    The modification required by this AD does not differ from the DGAC 
AD or the SOCATA service bulletin.

Compliance Time of This AD

    The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time 
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). The FAA has determined that a 
calendar time compliance is the most desirable method because the 
unsafe condition described by this AD occurs regardless of the hours 
time-in-service. The oxygen generator failure could occur on any flight 
where it may be relied upon to provide the crew and passengers with 
oxygen. To ensure that the above-referenced condition is corrected on 
all of the affected airplanes within a reasonable period of time 
without inadvertently grounding any airplanes, the FAA is utilizing a 
compliance time based upon calendar time instead of 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.

[[Page 54567]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

98-21-15  SOCATA--Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10824; Docket 
No. 98-CE-58-AD.

    Applicability: Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 1 through 
125, 127, 128, and 130 through 133, 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 45 days after the effective date of 
this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the oxygen generators caused by 
misalignment of the firing pin, which could result in crew 
incapacitation and loss of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the oxygen generator by replacing the firing pin and 
adding a washer in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
section of SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 70-046-35, dated 
May 1998.
    (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 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 70-046-35, dated May 1998, should be 
directed to SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome 
Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, BP 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) 894-1160; facsimile: (954) 964-4191. 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 modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 70-046-35, 
dated May 1998. 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, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, BP 
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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD No. 
T98-195(A), dated June 3, 1998.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 20, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 30, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26968 Filed 10-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P