[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 223 (Monday, November 19, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57855-57856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28331]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-11-AD; Amendment 39-12503; AD 2001-23-06]
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 you to inspect for defective Amendment A 
fuel tank air vent valves and replace with parts of improved design. 
This 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 prevent in-flight damage to the 
wing skins caused by abnormal venting conditions of the wing fuel tank, 
which could result in severe handling problems or reduced structural 
capability. Continued operation with such structural deformation or 
handling problems could result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 27, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
December 27, 2001.

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: 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 view this information at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-11-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:

Discussion

    What events have caused this 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 that Amendment 
A fuel tank air vent valve floats may block the air vent valve in the 
closed position making the valve defective. This condition is the 
result of a change in the manufacturing of the fuel tank air vent 
valve.
    The DGAC reports one occurrence on a Socata Model TBM 700 airplane 
of abnormal venting conditions of the wing fuel tank due to a fuel tank 
air vent valve float blocking the air vent valve in the closed 
position.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in severe handling problems or reduced 
structural capability. Continued operation with such structural 
deformation or handling problems could result in loss of control of the 
airplane.
    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 certain Socata Model TBM 700 
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 24, 2001 (66 FR 44558). 
The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the fuel tank air vent 
valve to determine the Amendment level of the part and replace the 
defective Amendment A fuel tank air vent valve with a part of improved 
design (Amendment B).
    Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested 
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not 
receive any comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of 
the cost to the public.

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 have determined that these minor corrections:
    --Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting 
the unsafe condition; and
    --Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 38 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 the 
inspection:

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                                                                               Total cost per     Total cost on
                Labor cost                            Parts cost                  airplane       U.S. operators
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2 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $120......  No parts required for the                     $120             $4,560
                                            inspection.
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    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the replacement:

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                                                                                 Total cost per
                Labor cost                              Parts cost                  airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $120.......  No cost for part.................              $120
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[[Page 57856]]

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:

2001-23-06 Socata--Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-12503; Docket 
No. 2001-CE-11-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following Model TBM 700 airplanes that are certificated in any 
category:

Serial Numbers

114, 117, 118, 121 through 173, 175 through 177, 179 through 184, 
186, and 187

    (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 in-flight damage to the wing skins 
caused by abnormal venting conditions of the wing fuel tank, which 
could result in severe handling problems or reduced structural 
capability. Continued operation with such structural deformation 
could result in loss of control of the airplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
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(1) Inspect the upper         Inspect within the    In accordance with
 surface of the fuel tank      next 50 hours time-   paragraph (B) of
 air vent valve for            in-service (TIS)      the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 modification stamp ``Amdt     after December 27,    INSTRUCTIONS in
 A''. (i) If the fuel tank     2001 (the effective   Socata Service
 air vent valve is stamped     date of this AD).     Bulletin SB 70-090,
 ``Amdt A'' on the uper        Accomplish the        dated December
 surface, install a fuel       installation or       2000, and the
 tank air vent valve that      reinstallation        applicable
 incorporates Amendment B      prior to further      maintenance manual.
 modifications. (ii) If        flight after the
 modification stamp ``Amdt     inspection required
 A'' is not on the upper       in paragraph (d)(1)
 surface of the fuel tank      of this AD, unless
 air vent valve, reinstall     already
 the valve and no further      accomplished.
 action is required by
 paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Do not install any fuel   As of December 27,    Not applicable.
 tank air vent valve that      2001 (the effective
 does not have Amendment B     date of this AD).
 incorporated (or FAA-
 approved equivalent part).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Socata Service Bulletin SB-70-090-28, dated December 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, or the 
Product Support Manager, SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale, North Perry 
Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023. 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 27, 2001.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 2001-
004(A), dated January 10, 2001.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 5, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-28331 Filed 11-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P