[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 241 (Thursday, December 14, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78122-78124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31892]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 241 / Thursday, December 14, 2000 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 78122]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-69-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA--Groupe Aerospatiale Model TBM 
700 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain SOCATA--Groupe Aerospatiale (SOCATA) 
Model TBM 700 airplanes. The proposed AD would require you to install a 
thermal protection sleeve on the propeller governor flexible cable. The 
proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France. 
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent loss 
of propeller control because of hardening or blocking of the control 
cable, which could result in the inability to control propeller pitch 
and inability to feather the propeller. Such failure could lead to loss 
of airplane control.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule by January 19, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send three copies of your comments to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-69-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. You may read comments at this location between 8 
a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
    You may get service information that applies to the proposed 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 read this information at the 
Rules Docket at the address above.

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:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on the Proposed AD?

    We invite your comments on the proposed rule. You may send whatever 
written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to include the 
rule's docket number and send your comments in triplicate to the 
address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date specified above, before acting on 
the proposed rule. We may change the proposals contained in this action 
in light of the comments received.

Are there Any Specific Portions of the Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention To?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule that 
might require a change to the proposed rule. You may look at all 
comments we receive. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that 
summarizes each FAA contact with the public that concerns the 
substantive parts of this proposal.
    We are re-examining the writing style we currently use in 
regulatory documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of 
June 1, 1998. That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate 
more clearly with the public. We are interested in your comments on the 
ease of understanding this document, and any other suggestions you 
might have to improve the clarity of FAA communications that affect 
you. You can get more information about the Presidential memorandum and 
the plain language initiative at http://www.faa.gov/language/.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want us to acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you 
must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write 
``Comments to Docket No. 2000-CE-69-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail 
the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes. 
The DGAC reports five occurrences on civilian and military Socata model 
TBM 700 airplanes where there was damage to the internal sleeve of the 
flexible propeller control cable. This damage was because of thermal 
conduction generated by the turboprop left hand exhaust nozzle.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
loss of propeller control because of hardening or blocking of the 
control cable. This could result in the inability to control propeller 
pitch and inability to feather the propeller. Such failure could lead 
to loss of airplane control.

Is There Service Information That Applies to this Subject?

    SOCATA has issued Service Bulletin SB 70-084, dated September 2000.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Bulletin?

    The service bulletin includes procedures for the installation of a 
thermal protection sleeve on the propeller governor flexible cable.

What Action Did the DGAC Take?

    The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
French AD Number 2000-430(A), dated November 15, 2000, to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

[[Page 78123]]

Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Following this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept FAA informed of 
the situation described above.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of the 
Proposed AD

What Has FAA Decided?

    The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC; reviewed all 
available information, including the service information referenced 
above; and determined that:

--the unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes of the same type 
design;
--the actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

What Would the Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in 
the previously referenced service bulletin.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would the Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that the proposed AD affects 80 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

What Would Be the Cost Impact of the Proposed AD on Owners or Operators 
of the Affected Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed modification:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Total Cost Per     Total Cost on U.S.
   Labor Cost      Parts Cost         Airplane            Operators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours  x            $40    $120 + $40 = $160        $160  x  80 =
 $60 per hour =                                                 $12,800
 $120.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compliance Time of the Proposed AD

What Would Be the Compliance Time of the Proposed AD?

    The compliance time of this proposed AD would be within the next 
100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of the 
proposed AD or within the next 3 calendar months after the effective 
date of this proposed AD, whichever occurs first.

Why Is the Compliance Time of the Proposed AD Presented in Both Hours 
TIS and Calendar Time?

    The affected airplanes are used in general aviation operations. 
Those operators may accumulate 100 hours TIS on the airplane in less 
than 3 months and many owners have numerous affected airplanes. We have 
determined that the dual compliance time:

--gives all owners/operators of the affected airplanes adequate time to 
schedule and do the actions in this proposed AD; and
--ensures that the unsafe condition referenced in this AD will be 
corrected within a reasonable time period without inadvertently 
grounding any of the affected airplanes.

What Are the Differences Between the French AD and the Proposed AD?

    The French AD requires the modification at the next scheduled 
inspection and at the latest before December 21, 2000. We propose a 
requirement that you install the thermal protection sleeve within the 
next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), or within the next three calendar 
months, whichever occurs first.
    We cannot legally enforce a compliance time of at the next 
scheduled inspection. We believe that a compliance time of 100 hours 
TIS or within the next three months, whichever occurs first, will give 
the owners or operators of the affected airplanes enough time to have 
the proposed actions accomplished without compromising the safety of 
the airplanes.

Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations proposed would 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 
proposed rule would not have federalism implications under Executive 
Order 13132.

Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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) if 
promulgated, 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 draft regulatory 
evaluation prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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 airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

SOCATA--Groupe Aerospatiale: Docket No. 2000-CE-69-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 1 thru 156, and 158 thru 
163; that are certificated in any category.
    (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

[[Page 78124]]

to prevent loss of propeller control because of hardening or 
blocking of the control cable, which could result in the inability 
to control propeller pitch and inability to feather the propeller. 
Such failure could lead to loss of airplane control.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must do the following, unless already 
accomplished:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install a thermal protection      Within the next     Do this
 sleee on the propeller control    100 hours time-in-  installation
 cable.                            service (TIS)       following the
                                   after the           ACCOMPLISHMENT
                                   effective date of   INSTRUCTIONS of
                                   this AD or within   Socata Service
                                   the next 3          Bulletin SB 70-
                                   calendar months     084, dated
                                   after the           September 2000,
                                   effective date of   and the
                                   this AD,            applicable
                                   whichever occurs    maintenance
                                   first, unless       manual.
                                   already done.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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. Send 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? 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) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD 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. You may look at 
these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 2000-
430(A), dated November 15, 2000.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 7, 2000.
Larry E. Werth,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-31892 Filed 12-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U