[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30541-30544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-11215]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 7, 2002 / Rules and 
Regulations  

[[Page 30541]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-01-AD; Amendment 39-12744; AD 2002-09-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes 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 AD 
will retain the requirements of the current AD and will add the 
information communicated by the French airworthiness authority. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the flap attaching 
bolts/screws from becoming loose and separating from the airplane, 
which could cause rough or irregular control. Such rough or irregular 
control could lead to the loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 20, 2002.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of June 
20, 2002.

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: (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 view this information at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-01-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? Reports of occurrences on Socata 
Model TBM 700 airplanes where a screw of a flap attachment fitting was 
found partly unscrewed and another was missing caused us to issue AD 
2001-05-03, Amendment 39-12139 (66 FR 14308, March 12, 2001). The 
occurrences were the result of flap vibration. AD 2001-05-03 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.

    Accomplishment of these actions is required in accordance with 
Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-087 57, Amendment 1, dated 
November 2000, or Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-087, dated 
September 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.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in the flap attaching bolts/screws 
becoming loose and separating from the airplane, which could cause 
rough or irregular control. Such rough or irregular control could lead 
to the 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 February 11, 2002 (67 FR 6207). 
The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 2001-05-03 with a new AD that would 
require you to:
--Inspect the flap carriage attaching bolts and screws for damage and 
replace as necessary;
--Apply Loctite on the attaching bolt and screw threads of inboard, 
central, and outboard carriages;
--Increase the tightening torques;
--Replace central carriage attaching bolts; and
--Inspect the barrel nut for correct positioning, and corrective action 
as necessary.

    The NPRM also proposed to remove compliance in accordance with the 
procedures in Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-087 57, dated 
September 2000.
    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

[[Page 30542]]

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 75 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 modifications:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Parts     Total cost per     Total cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                             cost        airplane             operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $360..........................      $10   $360 + $10 = $370         $370  x  75 =
                                                                                                         $27.750
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The only difference between this 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 
inspection is minimal and does not increase the cost impact over that 
already required by AD 2001-05-03.

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 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:

  2002-09-11  SOCATA--Groupe Aerpspatiale: Amendment 39-12744; 
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 the flap attaching bolts/screws from 
becoming loose and separating from the airplane, which could cause 
rough or irregular control. Such rough or irregular control could 
lead to the loss of control of the airplane. 5
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

[[Page 30543]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Accomplish the following  Within the next 100   In accordance with
 on the flap carriages:        hours time-in-        the ACCOMPLISHMENT
(i) Inspect the inboard and    service (TIS) after   INSTRUCTIONS in
 carriage attaching bolts      June 20, 2002 (the    Socata Mandatory
 and screws for peening and/   effective date of     Service Bulliten SB
 or distortion, and replace    this AD), unless      70-087, Amendment
 screws and/or bolts, as       already               1, dated November
 necessary;                    accomplished.         2000, and the
(ii) Apply Loctite on the      Socata Mandatory      applicable
 attaching bolt and screw      Service Bulletin SB   maintenance manual.
 threads of the inboard and    70-087 57 Amendment
 the outboard carriages;       1, dated November
(iii) Increase tightening      2000, includes all
 torque of associated          procedures required
 hardware;                     in this AD. If yoy
(iv) Apply a red paint line    have already
 on the inboard and outboard   accomplished all
 carriages and the screw       procedures in the
 heads;                        service bulletin,
(v) Inspect the central        proceed to
 carriage barrel nut for       paragraph (s)(2) of
 correct positioning,          this AD.
 remove, inspect, and
 replace, as necessary;
(vi) Replace the central
 carriage attaching bolts
 with new bolts, part number
 (P/N) Z00.N5109337315 (or
 FAA-approved equivalent
 part);
(vii) Apply Loctite on the
 attaching bolt threads of
 the central carriage;
(viii) Increase tightening
 torque of associated
 hardware; and
(ix) Apply a red paint line
 on the on the central
 carriage and on the bolt
 heads.
(2) Inspect the alignment of  At intervals not to   In accordance with
 the red paint line on the     exceed 100 hours      the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 inboard, and central          TIS after             INSTRUCTIONS in
 carriages to determine if     compliance with the   Socata Mandatory
 the attaching screws and/or   actions required in   Service Bulletin SB
 bolts have become loose.      paragraph (d)(1) of   70-087 57,
                               this AD.              Amendment 1, dated
                                                     November 2000, and
                                                     the applicable
                                                     maintenance manual.
(3) If any inspection
 required in paragraph
 (d)(2) of this AD reveals
 that the inboard, the
 outboard, and/or the
 central carriage attaching
 screws and/or bolts have
 become loose, accomplish
 the following:
(i) Obtain a repair scheme
 from the manufacturer
 through the FAA at the
 address specified in
 paragraph (f) of this AD;
(ii) Incorporate this repair
 scheme; and
(iii) Continue to             Prior to further      In accordance with
 repetitively inspect as       flight after the      the repair scheme
 required in paragraph         inspection in which   obtained from
 (d)(2) of this AD, unless     the attaching         SOCATA Groupe
 the repair scheme directs     screws and/or bolts   AEROSPATIALE,
 AD. differently.              are found loose.      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.
                                                     Obtain this repair
                                                     scheme through the
                                                     FAA at the address
                                                     specified in
                                                     paragraph (f) of
                                                     this AD.
(4) Do not install any        As of April 27, 201   Not Applicable.
 central carriage attaching    (the effective date
 bolts that are not P/N        of AD 2001-05-03).
 Z00.N5109337315 (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:
    (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.
    (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 
Secs. 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

[[Page 30544]]

Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-087 57, Amendment 1, dated 
November 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 may 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 may view 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) 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 No. 
2000-409(A) R1, dated September 29, 2001.

    (j) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on June 20, 2002.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 29, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-11215 Filed 5-6-02; 8:45 am]
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