[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 134 (Friday, July 12, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46130-46132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17600]


 ========================================================================
 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. 67, No. 134 / Friday, July 12, 2002 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 46130]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-15-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 all SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE (Socata) Model 
TBM 700 airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to perform a test 
on the flight control system and adjust the control roll stop if 
jamming occurs during the test. This proposed AD is the result of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
airworthiness authority for France. The actions specified by this 
proposed AD are intended to prevent the flight control wheels from 
traveling beyond normal roll control limits, which could result in the 
control wheel becoming jammed. Such a condition could lead to reduced 
or loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before August 14, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-15-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 also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2002-CE-15-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    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: 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) 893-
1400; facsimile: (954) 964-4141. You may also view this information 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 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 mailed comments, 
you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, 
write ``Comments to Docket No. 2002-CE-15-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 Model TBM 700 airplanes. The 
DGAC reports that, during a ground test of the flight control system on 
one of the affected airplanes, the pilot control wheel became jammed 
when performing dual actions (e.g., full up and full left) because the 
control wheel was turned beyond normal roll control travel limits. This 
was a result of a misadjustment of the roll control.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    If this condition is not corrected, it could result in the flight 
control wheels traveling beyond normal roll control limits, which could 
result in the control wheel becoming jammed. This could lead to reduced 
or loss of control of the airplane.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Socata has issued Service Bulletin SB 70-095 27, dated November 
2001.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    The service bulletin includes procedures for:

--Inspecting the flight control system to determine if jamming occurs; 
and
--Adjusting the roll control stop to correct this condition.

What Action Did the DGAC Take?

    The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
French AD 2001-582(A), dated November 28, 2001, in order to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

[[Page 46131]]

Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?

    This airplane model is 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 
This 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 airplanes 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 require you to incorporate the actions in 
the previously-referenced service bulletin.

What Are the Differences Between This Proposed AD, the Service 
Information, and the DGAC AD?

    The DGAC AD requires inspection, and, if necessary, adjustment 
prior to further flight after the effective date of the AD. We propose 
a requirement that you inspect, and, if necessary, adjust within 100 
hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this proposed 
AD.
    We do not have justification to require this action prior to 
further flight. We use compliance times such as this when we have 
identified an urgent safety of flight situation. We believe that 100 
hours TIS will give the owners or operators of the affected airplanes 
enough time to have the proposed actions accomplished without 
compromising the safety of the airplanes.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 133 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

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

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed initial 
inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Total cost
               Labor cost                        Parts cost              per       Total cost on  U.S. operators
                                                                       airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 per hour = $60......  None......................          $60  $60  x  133 = $7,980.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
modification that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that may need such modification:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Total cost
             Labor cost                    Parts cost            per
                                                               airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 workhours  x  $60 per hour=$180..  None..................         $180
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. 2002-CE-15-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model TBM 700 airplanes, all serial numbers, 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 flight control wheels from 
traveling beyond normal roll control limits, which could result in 
the control wheel becoming jammed. Such a condition could lead to 
reduced or 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:

[[Page 46132]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Perform a test of the pilot   WIthin the next     In accordance with
 and right-hand (RH) station       100 hours time-in-  Socata TBM
 control wheels to determine if    service after the   Aircraft
 either control wheels become      effective date of   Mandatory Service
 jammed.                           this AD and         Bulletin SB 70-
                                   thereafter every    095 27, dated
                                   time the flight     November 2001.
                                   control system
                                   undergoes
                                   maintenance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Adjust the roll control       Prior to further    In accordance with
 stops if jamming occurs on        flight after        Socata TBM
 either the pilot control wheel    jamming is found    Aircraft
 or the RH station control wheel   during any test     Mandatory Service
 during any test required in       required by         Bulletin SB 70-
 pargraph (d)(1) of this AD.       paragraph (d)(1)    095 27, dated
                                   of this AD.         November 2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 Standards Office 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 Standards Office Manager.

    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. No passengers are 
allowed for this flight.
    (h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may get 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) 
893-1400; facsimile: (954) 964-4141. You may view 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-
582(A), dated November 28, 2001.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 8, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-17600 Filed 7-11-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P