[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 28 (Monday, February 11, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6207-6210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-3164]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-01-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 2001-05-03, which applies to certain SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE 
(Socata) Model TBM 700 airplanes. AD 2001-05-03 currently requires you 
to apply Loctite on attaching bolt/screw threads of inboard, central, 
and outboard carriages; increase tightening torques of associated 
hardware; and replace central carriage attaching bolts. The French 
airworthiness authority has determined that certain service information 
referenced in AD 2001-05-03 be removed and additional inspection of the 
flap carriage attaching bolts, screws, and barrel nut be included. 
Therefore, this proposed AD would retain the requirements of the 
current AD and would add the information communicated by the French 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this proposed AD are 
intended to prevent loose, or the loss of, flap attaching bolts/screws, 
which could cause rough or irregular control. Such rough or irregular 
control could lead to the loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this rule on or before March 15, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-01-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get service information that applies to this 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) 893-
1400; facsimile: (954) 964-4191. You may also view this information at 
the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA,

[[Page 6208]]

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 This 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 to the 
address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this 
proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that 
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we 
need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention to?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that 
might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view 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 
contact we have with the public that concerns the substantive parts of 
this proposed AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you 
must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write 
``Comments to Docket No. 2002-CE-01-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail 
the postcard back to you.

Discussion

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

    Reports of two occurrences on Socata Model TBM 700 airplanes where, 
following a flight, a screw of a flap attachment fitting was found 
partly unscrewed and another was missing, as a result of flap 
vibration, caused us to issue AD 2001-05-03, Amendment 39-12139 (66 FR 
14308, March 12, 2001). This AD requires the following on Socata Model 
TBM 700 airplanes:
    --Apply Loctite on attaching bolt/screw threads of inboard, 
central, and outboard carriages;
    --Increase tightening torques of associated hardware; and
    --Replace central carriage attaching bolts.
    You must accomplish these actions in accordance with Socata 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 70-087 57, Amendment 1, dated 
November 2000.

What Has Happened Since AD 2001-05-03 To Initiate This Action?

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified FAA of the need 
to change AD 2001-05-03. The DGAC reports the procedures in the 
original issue of Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-087, dated 
September, 2000, do not correct the unsafe condition. The DGAC 
indicates that reference to this service information should be removed 
from the AD. In addition, the DGAC is requiring the barrel nut be 
inspected for correct installation, with corrective action as 
necessary, on certain Socata Model TBM 700 airplanes registered in 
France.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 70-087 57, Amendment 1, 
dated November 2000, applies to this subject and was part of AD 2001-
05-03.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Bulletin?

    The service bulletin includes procedures for:
    --Inspecting the flap carriage attaching bolts and screws for 
damage and replacing as necessary;
    --Applying Loctite on the attaching bolt and screw threads of 
inboard, central, and outboard carriages;
    --Increasing the tightening torques;
    --Replacing central carriage attaching bolts; and
    --Inspecting the barrel nut for correct positioning, and corrective 
action as necessary.

What Action Did the DGAC Take?

    The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
French AD Number 2000-409(A) R1, dated September 29, 2001, to ensure 
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

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, 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 of the same type design that are 
on the U.S. registry;
    --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 This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would supersede AD 2001-05-03 with a new AD that 
would require you to incorporate the actions in the previously-
referenced service bulletin and not allow credit for compliance with an 
earlier edition service bulletin.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would the Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that the proposed AD affects 75 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 
modifications:

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           Labor cost             Parts cost       Total cost per airplane        Total cost on U.S. operators
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6 workhours  x  $60 per hour =           $10  $360 + $10 = $370                 $370  x  75 = $27,750
 $360.
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[[Page 6209]]

    The only difference between this proposed AD and AD 2001-05-03 is 
the addition of the inspection of the flap carriage attachment bolts, 
screws, and barrel nut. The FAA has determined that the cost of this 
proposed inspection is minimal and does not increase the cost impact 
over that already required by AD 2001-05-03.

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 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 14 
CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2001-05-03, Amendment 39-12139 (66 FR 14308, March 12, 2001), and by 
adding a new AD to read as follows:

Socata--Groupe Aerospatiale: Docket No. 2002-CE-01-AD; Supersedes AD 
2001-05-03, Amendment 39-12139.
    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 1 through 164 and 166 
through 173, that are certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent loose, or the loss of, flap 
attaching bolts/screws, which could cause rough or irregular 
control. Such rough or irregular control could lead to the 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:

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                 Actions                               Compliance                        Procedures
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(1) Accomplish the following on the flap   Within the next 100 hours time-in- In accordance with the
 carriages:.                                service (TIS) after the            ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS in
(i) Inspect the inboard and outboard        effective date of this AD and      Socata Mandatory Service
 carriage attaching bolts and screws for    thereafter at intervals not to     Bulletin SB 70-087 57,
 peening and/or distortion, and replace     exceed 100 hours TIS.              Amendment 1, dated November
 screws and/or bolts, as necessary;.                                           2000, and the applicable
(ii) Apply Loctite on the attaching bolt                                       maintenance manual.
 and screw threads of the inboard and the
 outboard carriages;.
(iii) Increase tightening torque of
 associated hardware;.
(iv) Inspect the central carriage barrel
 nut for correct positioning, remove,
 inspect, and replace, as necessary;.
(v) Replace the central carriage
 attaching bolts with new bolts, part
 number (P/N) Z00.N5109337315;.
(vi) Apply Loctite on the attaching bolt
 threads of the central carriage; and.
(vii) Increase tightening torque of
 associated hardware.
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(2) If, during compliance with AD 2001-05- Not Applicable...................  In accordance with the
 03, you accomplished all procedures in                                        ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS in
 Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-                                      Socata Mandatory Service
 087 57, Amendment 1, dated November                                           Bulletin SB 70-087 57,
 2000, no further action is required.                                          Amendment 1, dated November
                                                                               2000, and the applicable
                                                                               maintenance manual.
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(3) Do not install any central carriage    As of April 27, 2001 (the          Not Applicable.
 attaching bolts that are not part number   effective date of AD 2001-05-
 Z00.N5109337315 (or FAA-approved           03).
 equivalent part number).
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    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way?
    (1) You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust 
the compliance time if:
    (i) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (ii) The Manager, Standards Office, 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, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate.

[[Page 6210]]

    (2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance 
with AD 2001-05-03, which is superseded by this AD, are not approved 
as alternative methods of compliance with this AD.

    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.
    (i) Does this AD action affect any existing AD actions? This 
amendment supersedes AD 2001-05-03, Amendment 39-12139.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 2000-
409(A) R1, dated September 29, 2001.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 4, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-3164 Filed 2-8-02; 8:45 am]
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