[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]
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