[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 24, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78394-78397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32336]



[[Page 78394]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-49-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Socata--Groupe Aerospatiale Models MS 
892A-150, MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 893E, MS 894A, MS 894E, Rallye 150T, 
and Rallye 150ST Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 2002-05-04, which applies to certain Socata Models MS 892A-150, MS 
892E-150, MS 893A, MS 893E, MS 894A, MS 894E, Rallye 150T, and Rallye 
150ST airplanes. AD 2002-05-04 requires you to repetitively inspect any 
engine mount assembly that is not part number 892-51-0-035-0 (or FAA-
approved equivalent part number) for cracks; repair cracks that do not 
exceed a certain length; and replace the engine mount when the cracks 
exceed a certain length and cracks are found on an engine mount that 
already has been repaired twice. This proposed AD is the result of the 
French airworthiness authority's determination that airplanes equipped 
with an engine mount assembly part number 892-51-0-035-0 also display 
the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would retain the repetitive 
inspection and repair requirements of AD 2002-05-04, change the 
applicability section, remove the terminating action, and require 
replacement of all part number 892-51-0-035-0 engine mount assemblies. 
The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the engine mount assembly. Such failure could result in loss 
of control of the airplane.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this rule on or before January 31, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-49-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-49-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) 894-
1160; 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 this proposed rule. You may view all 
comments we receive before and after the closing date of this proposed 
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-49-AD.'' We will date stamp and 
mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

    Fatigue cracks found on the engine mount assemblies of certain 
Socata Models MS 892A-150, MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 893E, MS 894A, MS 
894E, Rallye 150T, and Rallye 150ST airplanes caused us to issue AD 
2002-05-04, Amendment 39-12672 (67 FR 10831, March 11, 2002). This AD 
requires the following on affected airplane models and serial numbers 
that are certificated in any category and do not have a part number 
892-51-0-035-0 engine mount assembly (or FAA-approved equivalent part 
number) installed:

--Repetitively inspecting any engine mount assembly that is not part 
number 892-51-0-035-0 (or FAA-approved equivalent part number) for 
cracks;
--Repairing cracks that do not exceed a certain length;
--Replacing the engine mount when the cracks exceed a certain length 
and cracks are found on an engine mount that already has two repairs; 
and
--Terminating repetitive inspections after installing a part number 
892-51-0-035-0 engine mount assembly, (or FAA-approved equivalent part 
number).

    AD 2002-05-04 superseded AD 77-15-06, Amendment 39-2975, which 
required accomplishing the following:

--Inspecting the engine mount assembly for cracks at repetitive 
intervals;
--Repairing any cracks found; and
--Modifying the brackets on airplanes with right angle engine mounts.

    AD 2002-05-04 incorporated new manufacturer service information to 
address the unsafe condition, added additional airplane models to the 
applicability; and changed the initial compliance time for all 
airplanes.
    Accomplishment of these actions is required in accordance with 
Socata Service Bulletin SB 156-71, dated May 2001.

What Has Happened Since AD 2002-05-04 To Initiate This Action?

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
which is the

[[Page 78395]]

airworthiness authority for France, recently notified FAA of the need 
to change AD 2002-05-04. The DGAC reports that affected airplanes 
equipped with an engine mount assembly part number 892-51-0-035-0 are 
also affected by fatigue cracking and should be included in the 
applicability section of AD 2002-05-04. Installing part number 892-51-
0-035-0 is no longer considered a terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections and should be removed from all affected airplanes.

What Action Did the DGAC Take?

    The DGAC classified Socata Service Bulletin SB 156-71, dated May 
2001, as mandatory and issued French AD 2001-400(A), dated September 
19, 2001; and French AD 1978-205(A) R1, dated September 19, 2001; in 
order to ensure 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, 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 certain Socata Models MS 892A-150, MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 
893E, MS 894A, MS 894E, Rallye 150T, and Rallye 150ST airplanes of the 
same type design that are on the U.S. registry;
--The inspection and repair actions specified in AD 2002-05-04 should 
be accomplished on certain 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 2002-05-04 with a new AD that 
would:

--Retain the repetitive inspection and repair requirements of AD 2002-
05-04;
--Remove the terminating action;
--Change the applicability section; and
--Require replacement of all part number 892-51-0-035-0 engine mount 
assemblies with an FAA-approved equivalent part number.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 81 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 each proposed 
inspection(s):

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Total cost per
            Labor cost                   Parts cost           airplane         Total cost  on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $60 = $60............  No parts required...             $60   $60 x 81 = $4,860
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Total cost  per
           Labor cost                  Parts cost            airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 workhours x $60 = $180.......  No parts required.....            $180
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
replacement. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that 
may need such replacement:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Labor cost                        Parts cost                   Total cost  per  airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 workhours x $60 = $1,200............  Approximately $3,360......  $1,200 + $3,360 = $4,560
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Is the Difference Between the Cost Impact of This Proposed AD and 
the Cost Impact of AD 2002-05-04?

    The differences between this proposed AD and AD 2002-05-04 are the 
correction to the applicability section, removal of the terminating 
action, and the addition of replacing all part number 892-51-0-035-0 
engine mount assemblies. We have determined that this proposed AD 
action does increase the cost impact over that already required by AD 
2002-05-04.

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

[[Page 78396]]

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) 
2002-05-04, Amendment 39-12672 (67 FR 10831, March 11, 2002), and by 
adding a new AD to read as follows:

Socata--Groupe Aerospatiale: Docket No. 2002-CE-49-AD; Supersedes AD 
2002-05-04, Amendment 39-12672.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated 
in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MS 892A-150...........................  All serial numbers.
MS 892E-150...........................  All serial numbers.
MS 893A...............................  All serial numbers.
MS 893E...............................  All serial numbers.
MS 894A...............................  1005 through 2204 equipped with
                                         kit OPT8098 9037.
MS 894E...............................  1005 through 2204 equipped with
                                         kit OPT8098 9037.
Rallye 150T...........................  All serial numbers.
Rallye 150ST..........................  All serial numbers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of 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 detect and correct cracks in the engine 
mount assembly. Such a condition could cause the engine mount 
assembly to fail, which 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Replace any part number 892-  Within the next 50  In accordance with
 51-0-035-0 engine mount           hours time-in-      the applicable
 assembly with an FAA-approved     service (TIS)       maintenance
 assembly that is not part         after the           manual.
 number 892-51-0-035-0.            effective date of
                                   this AD.
(2) Inspect the engine mount      Initially inspect   In accordance with
 assembly for cracks.              at whichever of     the
                                   the following       Accomplishment
                                   occurs later:       Instructions
                                   after               section of Socata
                                   accumulating 50     Service Bulletin
                                   hours TIS after     SB 156-71, dated
                                   engine mount        May 2001.
                                   assembly
                                   installation;
                                   within the next
                                   20 hours TIS
                                   after the
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD; or at
                                   the next
                                   inspection
                                   required by AD
                                   2002-05-04.
                                   Repetitively
                                   inspect
                                   thereafter at
                                   intervals not to
                                   exceed 50 hours
                                   TIS.
(3) If any crack is found during  Prior to further    In accordance with
 any inspection required by        flight after the    the
 paragraph (d)(2) of this AD       inspection in       Accomplishment
 that is less than 0.24 inches     which the crack     Instructions
 (6 mm) in length, repair the      is found.           section of Socata
 engine mount assembly. If two                         Service Bulletin
 repairs on the engine mount                           SB 156-71, dated
 have already been performed,                          May 2001.
 repair in accordance with
 paragraph (d)(4) of this AD.
(4) If any crack is found during  Prior to further    In accordance with
 any inspection required by this   flight after the    the repair scheme
 AD that is 0.24 inches (6 mm)     inspection in       obtained from
 or longer in length, or if any    which the crack     Socata Groupe
 crack is found and two repairs    is found.           Aerospatiale,
 on the engine mount have                              Customer Support,
 already been performed:.                              Aerodrome Tarbes-
(i) Obtain a repair scheme from                        Ossun-Lourdes, BP
 the manufacturer through the                          930-F65009 Tarbes
 FAA at the address specified in                       Cedex, France; or
 paragraph (g) of this AD; and.                        the Product
(ii) Incorporate this repair                           Support Manager,
 scheme..                                              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.
(5) Do not install on any         As of the           Not applicable.
 airplane engine mount assembly    effective date of
 part number 892-51-0-035-0.       this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance 
with AD 2002-05-04, 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.


[[Page 78397]]


    (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) 964-4141. 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 2002-05-04, Amendment 39-12672.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 2001-
400(A), dated September 19, 2001; and French AD 1978-205(A) R1, 
dated September 19, 2001.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 17, 2002.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-32336 Filed 12-23-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P