[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 226 (Tuesday, November 24, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64844-64845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31010]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-65-AD; Amendment 39-10890; AD 98-24-04]
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 repetitively inspecting (using visual 
methods) the web of the left and right flap carriage for cracks, and 
replacing any cracked flap carriage with one of improved design. The 
proposed 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 a flap carriage, which could result in loss of the flap 
function with consequent reduced and/or loss of airplane control.

DATES: Effective December 28, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 28, 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) 893-
1400; facsimile: (954) 964-4141. 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-65-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 September 18, 1998 (63 FR 49881). The 
NPRM proposed to require repetitively inspecting (using visual methods) 
the web of the left and right flap carriage for cracks, and replacing 
any cracked flap carriage with one of improved design. The proposed 
repetitive inspections would no longer be required on those flap 
carriages replaced with improved design parts.
    Accomplishment of the proposed inspections as specified in the NPRM 
would be required in accordance with SOCATA Service Bulletin SB 70-048 
57, Amendment 1, dated January 1995. The replacements, if necessary, 
would be accomplished in accordance with Chapter 57-50-03 of the 
applicable maintenance manual. The parts necessary are referenced in 
the service bulletin and are available from the manufacturer.
    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 44 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor rate 
is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the initial inspections

[[Page 64845]]

specified in this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,920, or 
$180 per airplane.
    These figures only take into account the costs of the initial 
inspection and do not take into account the costs of any repetitive 
inspections or the costs of replacing any flap carriage found cracked. 
The FAA has no way of determining the number of repetitive inspections 
each owner/operator will incur over the life of the affected airplanes; 
or the number of flap carriages that will be found cracked during the 
inspections and need to be replaced.

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:

98-24-04  SOCATA--GROUPE AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-10890; Docket 
No. 95-CE-65-AD.

    Applicability: Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 1 through 
92, 97, and 98, 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 detect and correct cracks in a flap carriage, which could 
result in loss of the flap function with consequent reduced and/or 
loss of airplane control, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
100 hours TIS, inspect (using visual methods) the web of the left 
and right flap carriages (both the inboard and outboard carriages) 
for cracks. Accomplish these inspections in accordance with SOCATA 
Service Bulletin SB 70-048 57, Amendment 1, dated January 1995.
    (b) If any cracked flap carriage is found during any inspection 
required by this AD, prior to further flight, replace it with a 
carriage of improved design. Accomplish this replacement in 
accordance with Chapter 57-50-03 of the applicable maintenance 
manual. The parts necessary are referenced in SOCATA Service 
Bulletin SB 70-048 57, Amendment 1, dated January 1995, and are 
available from Socata at the address referenced in paragraph (e) of 
this AD.
    (1) Repetitive inspections will no longer be required on those 
flap carriages replaced with improved design parts.
    (2) Flap carriages may be replaced with improved design parts at 
any time (but must immediately be replaced if found cracked), as 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections of this AD.
    (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 
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 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 SB 70-048 57, Amendment 1, dated January, 1995, 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) 
893-1400; 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.
    (f) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with SOCATA Service Bulletin SB 70-048 57, Amendment 1, 
dated January 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, 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 94-
110(B)R1, dated March 15, 1995.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on December 28, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 10, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-31010 Filed 11-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U