[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44556-44558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21406]



[[Page 44556]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-09-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA--Groupe Aerospatiale Models TB 
9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to all SOCATA--Groupe Aerospatiale (SOCATA) 
Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 airplanes that do not have 
factory Modification 165, any edition, incorporated on the front seats. 
The proposed AD would require you to modify the front seats. 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 eliminate the 
potential for the front seats to inadvertently unlock from their fixed 
positions. Such uncontrolled movement could prevent the pilot from 
making the necessary flight maneuvers to control the airplane.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before September 28, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-09-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: 011 33 5 
62 41 73 00; facsimile: 011 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 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 clear, 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. 2001-CE-09-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 all 
SOCATA Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 airplanes that do 
not have factory Modification 165 incorporated on the front seats. The 
DGAC reports cases where the seat pan interfered with the front seat 
locking mechanism. Interference with the seat locking mechanism could 
result in uncontrolled movement of the front seats.
    This condition does not affect airplanes with factory Modification 
165, any edition, incorporated. This modification consists of cutting a 
slot in the solid seat pan to eliminate the interference.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? If 
this condition is not corrected, the front seats could inadvertently 
unlock from their fixed position. Such uncontrolled movement could 
prevent the pilot from making the necessary flight maneuvers to control 
the airplane.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? SOCATA 
has issued Service Bulletin SB 10-115 25, dated December, 2000.
    What are the provisions of this service bulletin? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for modifying the front seat 
configuration.
    What action did the DGAC take? The DGAC classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued French AD 2001-005(A), dated January 
10, 2001, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in France.
    Was this in accordance with the bilateral airworthiness agreement? 
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are 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, 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 Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 
airplanes of the same type design;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service

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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 125 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 workhours  x  $60 per hour=$300..  $58 ($29 per seat, 2 seats   $358..................  $44,750
                                      per airplane).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    What are the differences between the French AD, the service 
bulletin and the proposed AD? French AD 2001-005(A) requires this 
action on airplanes registered in France at the next scheduled 
inspection. SOCATA Service Bulletin SB 10-115 25 also specifies the 
action at this time. We propose modification within 100 hours time-in-
service (TIS) after the effective date of the AD. We cannot enforce a 
compliance time of ``at the next scheduled inspection.'' We have 
determined that 100 hours TIS will give the owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes enough time to have the proposed actions done 
without compromising the safety of the airplanes.

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. 2001-CE-09-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 airplanes, all serial 
numbers, that:
    (1) do not incorporate factory Modification 165, any edition. 
Modification 165 consists of cutting a slot in the solid seat pan to 
eliminate interference with the locking mechanism; and
    (2) 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 to eliminate the potential for the front seats 
to inadvertently unlock from their fixed positions. Such 
uncontrolled movement could prevent the pilot from making the 
necessary flight maneuvers to control the airplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Modify the front seats..  Within the next 100   In accordance with
                               hours time-in-        the Accomplishment
                               service (TIS) after   instructions
                               the effective date    section of SOCATA
                               of the AD.            Service Bulletin SB
                                                     10-115 25, dated
                                                     December 2000, and
                                                     the applicable
                                                     maintenance manual.
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(2) Do not install any of     As of the effective   In accordance with
 the seats referenced in       date of this AD.      SOCATA Service
 SOCATA Service Bulletin SB                          Bulletin SB 10-115
 10-115 25, dated December                           25, dated December
 2000 (or FAA-approved                               2000.
 equivalent part numbers),
 without incorporating the
 modification reaquired by
 paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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,

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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; telephone: 011 33 
5 62 41 73 00; facsimile: 011 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. 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 2001-
005(A), dated January 10, 2001.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 20, 2001.
Dorenda Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-21406 Filed 8-23-01; 8:45 am]
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