[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 45 (Friday, March 7, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11015-11019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5387]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-05-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE Models TB 
9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, TB 200, TMB 700, Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T, 
Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to all SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE (SOCATA) 
Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, TB 200, TMB 700, Rallye 100S, Rallye 
150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require you to replace certain safety belts and 
restraint systems. 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 failure of the safety belts and restraint systems 
caused by inadvertent opening of this equipment, which could result in 
bodily injury to the occupant during turbulence or landing.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before April 29, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-05-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. 2003-CE-05-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

[[Page 11016]]

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 the proposed rule. You may view all 
comments we receive before and after the closing date of the 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. 2003-CE-05-AD.'' We will date stamp and 
mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), 
which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently notified FAA 
that an unsafe condition may exist on all SOCATA Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 
20, TB 21, TB 200, TMB 700, Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST, 
Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C airplanes. The DGAC reports inadvertent 
opening of the Anjou Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./L'Aiglon Types 343, 
343-1, 343-1, 343M, 343AM, 343B, 343BM, 343C, 343CM, and 343D safety 
belts and restraint systems.
    Further investigation into this subject found that a Model TBM 700 
airplane was involved in a fatal accident on March 25, 2002. The report 
on this accident indicated that the pilot's seat belt buckle was broken 
and that all seat belts in the aircraft would snap open when given a 
sharp jerk. The belts involved were all Type 343-1 belts. The report 
also noted that belts tested in several other TBM 700 airplanes at a 
nearby hangar were found to snap open when given the quick-jerk test.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    Failure of the safety belts and restraint systems caused by 
inadvertent opening of this equipment could result in bodily injury to 
the occupant during turbulence or landing.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    SOCATA has issued the following service letters for the affected 
airplanes:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Models                           Service letter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and   SL 10-057, dated June 2002.
 TB 200.
TMB 700........................  SL 70-027, dated June 2002.
Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T,        SL 023, dated June 2002.
 Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235E, and
 Rallye 235C.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    The service letters include procedures for:

--Repetitive visual inspections of the seat belt assembly; and
--Replacement of the seat belt assembly.

What Action Did the DGAC Take?

    The DGAC classified these service letters as mandatory and, in 
order to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France, issued the following French ADs:

--AD Number 2002-104(AB), dated February 20, 2002; and
--AD Number 2002-105(AB), dated February 20, 2002.

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 
Sec.  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 Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, TB 200, TMB 
700, Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 
235C 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 replace the Anjou 
Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./L'Aiglon Types 343, 343-1, 343-1, 343M, 
343AM, 343B, 343BM, 343C, 343CM, and 343D safety belts and restraint 
systems.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 617 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry:

[[Page 11017]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Models                             How  many
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 2..........................        420
--------------------------------------------------------------
TBM 700......................................................        158
Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235E, and              39
 Rallye 235C.................................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 seat 
belt assembly replacement for Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 
200 airplanes:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Total cost per
             Labor cost                    Parts cost            airplane        Total cost  on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours x $60 per hour = $120    4 seats x $83 (each               $452   $452 x 420 = $189,840
 for all 4 seats.                     seat belt assembly) =
                                      $332.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed seat 
belt assembly replacement for Model TBM 700 airplanes:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Total cost per
             Labor cost                    Parts cost            airplane       Total cost  on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 workhours x $60 per hour = $180    6 seats x $135 (each              $990   $990 x 158 = $156,420
 for all 6 seats.                     seat belt assembly) =
                                      $810.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed seat 
belt assembly replacement for Models Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T, Rallye 
150ST, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C airplanes:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Total cost  per
             Labor cost                    Parts cost            airplane        Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours x $60 per hour = $120    4 seats x $33 (each               $252   $252 x 39 = $9,828
 for all 4 seats.                     seat belt assembly) =
                                      $132.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. 2003-CE-05-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, TB 200, TMB 700, Rallye 100S, 
Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C 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 failure of the safety belts and 
restraint systems caused by inadvertent opening of this equipment, 
which could result in bodily injury to the occupant during 
turbulence or landing.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

[[Page 11018]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) For Models TB 9, TB 10,   Within the next 100   In accordance with
 TB 20, TB 21, TB 200,         hours time-in-        EADS SOCATA Service
 replace the Anjou             service (TIS) after   Letter SL 10-057,
 Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./   the effective date    dated June 2002,
 L'Aiglon Types 343, 343-1,    of this AD, unless    and the applicable
 343-1, 343M, 343AM, 343B,     already               airplane
 343BM, 343C, 343CM, and       accomplished.         maintenance manual.
 343D safety belts and
 restraint systems, as
 follows.
(i) Replace safety type belt
 (2 points) with SOCATA part
 number (P/N)
 Z00.N6003987223 or FAA-
 approved equivalent P/N..
(ii) Replace safety type
 belt (3 points) with SOCATA
 P/N Z00.N6003987224 or FAA-
 approved equivalent P/N..
-----------------------------
(2) For Model TMB 700,        Within the next 100   In accordance with
 replace the Anjou             hours time-in-        EADS SOCATA Service
 Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./   service (TIS) after   Letter SL 70-027,
 L'Aiglon Types 343, 343-1,    the effective date    dated June 2002,
 343-1, 343M, 343AM, 343B,     of this AD, unless    and the applicable
 343BM, 343C, 343CM, and       already               maintenance manual.
 343D safety belts and         accomplished.
 restraint systems, as
 follows.
(i) Replace safety type belt
 P/N T700A2510007103 (gray
 or beige color) with SOCATA
 P/N T700A251000710900
 (gray) or P/N
 T700A251000711600 (beige),
 or FAA-approved equivalent
 P/Ns..
(ii) Replace safety type
 belt P/N T700A2510007104
 (gray or beige color) with
 SOCATA P/N
 T700A251000711000 (gray) or
 P/N T700A251000711700
 (beige), or FAA-approved
 equivalent P/Ns..
(iii) Replace safety type
 belt P/N T700A2510007105
 (gray or beige color) with
 SOCATA P/N
 T700A251000710800 (gray) or
 P/N T700A251000711500
 (beige), or FAA-approved
 equivalent P/Ns..
-----------------------------
(3) For Models Rallye 100S,   Within the next 100   In accordance with
 Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST,    hours time-in-        EADS SOCATA Service
 Rallye 235E, and Rallye       service (TIS) after   Letter SL 023,
 235C, replace the Anjou       the effective date    dated June 2002,
 Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./   of this AD, unless    and the applicable
 L'Aiglon Types 343, 343-1,    already               airplane
 343-1, 343M, 343AM, 343B,     accomplished.         maintenance manual.
 343BM, 343C, 343CM, and
 343D safety belts and
 restraint systems with
 SOCATA P/N Z00.N6003987223
 or FAA-approved equivalent
 P/N.
-----------------------------
(4) On any affected models,   As of the effective   Not applicable.
 do not install any Anjou      date of this AD.
 Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./
 L'Aiglon Types 343, 343-1,
 343-1, 343M, 343AM, 343B,
 343BM, 343C, 343CM, and
 343D safety belts and
 restraint systems.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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.
    (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) 
894-1160; 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 the following 
French ADs:
    AD Number 2002-104(AB), dated February 20, 2002; and
    AD Number 2002-105(AB), dated February 20, 2002.



[[Page 11019]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 28, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-5387 Filed 3-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P