[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 5 (Monday, January 8, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1271-1273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-306]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 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.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 5 / Monday, January 8, 2001 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 1271]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-70-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 equipped with Option No. OPT 70-35-001 (gaseous 
oxygen system). The proposed AD would require you to incorporate a 
modification that relocates the oil breather vent location. 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 oil 
from entering the gaseous oxygen system service compartment. Such oil 
contamination could result in a fire or explosion.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before February 10, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-70-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be 
inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
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. This information also may be examined 
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?

    The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit 
whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to 
include the rule's docket number and submit your comments in triplicate 
to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. The FAA will 
consider all comments received on or before the closing date. We may 
amend the proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual 
information that supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely 
helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed AD action and 
determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking action.

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 suggest a need to modify the rule. You may examine all comments 
we receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules 
Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each 
FAA contact with the public that concerns the substantive parts of the 
proposed AD.
    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 
whether the style of this document is clearer, 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.plainlanguage.gov.

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-70-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail 
the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The Direction Geneale 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 
equipped with Option No. OPT 70-35-001 (gaseous oxygen system). The 
DGAC communicates a report of oil entering the gaseous oxygen system 
service compartment on a Model TBM 700 airplane. In particular, oil was 
seeping out of the engine oil pump breather.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    Such oil contamination could result in a fire or explosion.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Socata has issued Service Bulletin No. SB 70-085 71, dated October 
2000.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Bulletin?

    The service bulletin includes procedures for incorporating 
Technical Instruction No. OPT70 K076-71 (Modification No. MOD70-119-71) 
``OIL PUMP BREATHER''. This modification relocates the oil breather 
vent location.

What Action Did DGAC Take?

    The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
French AD Number 2000-439(A), dated November 15, 2000, in order to 
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

[[Page 1272]]

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.
    Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, 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 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 
that are equipped with Option No. OPT 70-35-001 (gaseous oxygen 
system);
--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 relocate the oil breather 
vent location by incorporating Technical Instruction No. OPT70 K076-71 
(Modification No. MOD70-119-71) ``OIL PUMP BREATHER''.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would the Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that 80 Model TBM 700 airplanes are on the U.S. 
Registry. Of these 80 airplanes, 4 have a gaseous oxygen system and 
would be affected by the proposed AD.

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

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
modification:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Total cost per      Total cost on U.S.
               Labor cost                         Parts cost             airplane              operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 workhours  x  $60 = $240..............  Socata will provide parts             $240  $240  x  4 = $960.
                                           free of charge.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations proposed herein 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-70-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 157, 158, 163, 167, and 168, 
that are:
    (1) equipped with Option No. OPT 70-35-001 (gaseous oxygen 
system); and
    (2) 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 to prevent oil from entering the gaseous oxygen 
system service compartment. Such oil contamination could result in a 
fire or explosion.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Relocate the oil breather     Within the next     In accordance with
 vent location by incorporating    100 hours time-in-  Socata Service
 Technical Instruction No. OPT70   service (TIS)       Bulletin No. SB
 K076-71 (Modification No. MOD70-  after the           70-085 71, dated
 119-71 ``OIL PUMP BREATHER'').    effective date of   October 2000.
                                   this AD.
(2) Do not incorporate, on any    As of the           Not applicable.
 affected airplane, Option No.     effective date of
 OPT 70-35-001 (gaseous oxygen     this AD.
 system) without simultaneously
 incorporating the modification
 required by paragraph (d)(1) of
 this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 1273]]

    (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? 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.
    (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 obtain 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 examine 
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-
439(A), dated November 15, 2000.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 29, 2000.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 01-306 Filed 1-5-01; 8:45 am]
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