[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 14, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68065-68067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28439]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-34-AD; Amendment 39-11964; AD 2000-22-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE Models MS 
880B, MS 885, MS 892A-150, MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 893E, MS 894A, MS 
894E, Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235C, and Rallye 
235E 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 all SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE (Socata) Models MS 880B, MS 
885, MS 892A-150, MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 893E, MS 894A, MS 894E, 
Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235C, and Rallye 235E 
airplanes. This AD requires you to repetitively inspect, and, if 
necessary, replace elevator clevis and rudder governor control clevis 
that are too thin. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for France. The actions specified in this AD are intended to correct 
rudder and elevator control clevis that are too thin because of 
abnormal wear, with consequent failure of the rudder and elevator 
clevis. Such failure could lead to loss of directional or pitch 
control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 29, 2000.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
December 29, 2000.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-
Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930--F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone: (33) 
(0)5.62.41.73.00; facsimile: (33) (0)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. You may examine this information at 
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-34-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, 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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 68066]]

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on all Socata Models MS 880B, MS 885, MS 
892A-150, MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 893E, MS 894A, MS 894E, Rallye 100S, 
Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235C, and Rallye 235E airplanes. The 
DGAC reports one failure of the rudder clevis in a Rallye airplane in 
flight. Abnormal wear of the part resulted in the failure.

What Happens if You Do Not Correct the Condition?

    This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the 
rudder and elevator clevis and consequent loss of directional or pitch 
control.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

    We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all 
Socata Models MS 880B, MS 885, MS 892A-150, MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 
893E, MS 894A, MS 894E, Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 
235C, and Rallye 235E airplanes. This proposal was published in the 
Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 
11, 2000 (65 FR 54820). The NPRM proposed to require you to 
repetitively inspect the elevator and rudder governor control clevis, 
and, if necessary, replace any clevis that is too thin.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

    Interested persons were 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

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. We 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

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

    We estimate that this AD affects 81 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected 
Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish each inspection and 
possible replacement and lubrication:

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                                                                                           Total cost on U.S.
            Labor cost                     Parts cost          Total cost per airplane     airplane operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 workhours $60 per hour = $240..  $24 per airplane if        $264 per airplane.......  $264  x  81 = $21,384.
                                    clevis replacement is
                                    necessary.
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    These actions are repetitive. We have no way of determining how 
many of these repetitive actions each owner/operator may incur over the 
life of each airplane.

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    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, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2000-22-17  Socata--Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-11964; Docket 
No. 2000-CE-34-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following airplane models, all serial numbers, certificated in any 
category:

MS 880B
MS 892E-150
MS 894A
Rallye 150T
Rallye 235E
MS 885
MS 893A
MS 894E
Rallye 150ST
MS 892A-150
MS 893E
Rallye 100S
Rallye 235C

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to correct rudder clevis and elevator control 
clevis that are too thin because of abnormal wear, and the 
consequent failure of the rudder and elevator clevis. Such failure 
could lead to loss of directional or pitch control.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following actions:

[[Page 68067]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions              Compliance times         Procedures
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(1) Inspect the elevator and  Within the next 100   Do this inspection
 rudder control clevis for     hours time-in-        in accordance with
 abnormal wear. Measure        service (TIS) after   the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 clevis thickness. The         December 29, 2000     INSTRUCTIONS of
 thickness at the bent         (the effective date   Socata Mandatory
 section should be at least    of this AD), and      Service Bulletin SB
 0.043 inch (in)/1.1           thereafter at         155-27, dated April
 millimeter (mm).              intervals not to      2000.
                               exceed 600 hours
                               TIS.
(2) If, during inspection,    Before further        Do this section in
 the elevator or rudder        flight after the      accordance with the
 control clevis measures a     inspection where      ACCOMPLISHMENT
 thickness less than 0.043     abnormal wear was     INSTRUCTIONS of
 in/1.1 mm, replace the        found.                Socata Mandatory
 clevis.                                             Service Bulletin SB
                                                     155-27, dated April
                                                     2000.
(3) Lubricate the clevis....  Within the next 100   Do this action in
                               hours TIS after       accordance with the
                               December 29, 2000     ACCOMPLISHMENT
                               (the effective date   INSTRUCTIONS of
                               with the of this      Socata Mandatory
                               AD), and thereafter   Service Bulletin SB
                               at intervals not to   155-27, dated April
                               exceed 100 hours      2000.
                               TIS.
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    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your 
alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? You can contact Karl Schletzbaum, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64016; telephone: (816) 329-4146; 
facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 155-27, dated April, 2000. 
The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by 
reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get 
copies from SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome 
Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930--F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; 
telephone: (33) (0)5.62.41.73.00. You can look at copies at the FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on December 29, 2000.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD number 
2000-174(A), dated May 3, 2000.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 30, 2000.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-28439 Filed 11-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P