[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 129 (Thursday, July 7, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39204-39206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13333]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21464; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-32-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE (SOCATA) Model TBM 700 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to inspect the fuselage 
skin in the VHF1 antenna mounting area for cracks and loose rivets. 
This proposed AD would also require you to modify the area if you find 
cracks or loose rivets. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness 
authority for France. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and 
correct cracks in the fuselage skin, which could result in loss of 
aircraft pressurization. Loss of aircraft pressurization could lead to 
flight crew incapacitation.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by August 19, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed 
AD:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-001.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    To get the service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact EADS SOCATA Tarbes, Direction des Services, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 
9, France; telephone: 33 (0)5 62.41.73.00; facsimile: 33 (0)5 
62.41.76.54; or SOCATA AIRCRAFT, North Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke 
Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023.
    To view the comments to this proposed AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. 
This is docket number FAA-2005-21464; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
32-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter L. Rouse, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4135; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any 
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. 
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include the 
docket number, ``FAA-2005-21464; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-32-AD'' 
at the beginning of your comments. We will post all comments we 
receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal 
information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed 
rulemaking. Using the search function of our docket Web site, anyone 
can find and read the comments received into any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
This is docket number FAA-2005-21464; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
32-AD. You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and 
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will 
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.

Docket Information

    Where can I go to view the docket information? You may view the AD 
docket that contains the proposal, any comments received, and any final 
disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m. (eastern standard time), Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-647-5227) is located on 
the plaza level of the Department of Transportation NASSIF Building at 
the street address stated in ADDRESSES. You may also view the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

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, notified FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes. The DGAC 
reports cracks in the fuselage skin by the passenger door on the 
affected airplanes. These airplanes have a VHF1 antenna mounted under 
the fuselage between frame C12 and C13 or C13 and C13bis.
    Investigations reveal that antenna vibrations are causing the 
cracks.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If not detected 
and corrected, cracks in the fuselage skin could cause loss of aircraft 
pressurization. Loss of pressurization could lead to flight crew 
incapacitation.

[[Page 39205]]

    Is there service information that applies to this subject? SOCATA 
has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin TBM Aircraft, SB 70-103, 
Amendment 1, ATA No. 53, dated September 2003; and Recommended Service 
Bulletin TBM Aircraft, SB 70-111, ATA No. 53, dated October 2003.
    What are the provisions of this service information? These service 
bulletins include procedures for:

--Mandatory Service Bulletin TBM Aircraft, SB 70-103, Amendment 1, ATA 
No. 53, dated September 2003: inspecting the fuselage skin where the 
VHF1 antenna mounts under the fuselage between frame C12 and C13 or C13 
and C13bis, for cracks and loose rivets.
--Recommended Service Bulletin TBM Aircraft, SB 70-111, ATA No. 53, 
dated October 2003: reinforcing the VHF1 antenna bracket between frame 
C12 and C13 and the VHF1 antenna bracket between C13 and C13bis and 
procedures for modifying the antenna and fuselage interface.

    What action did the DGAC take? The DGAC classified these service 
bulletins as mandatory and issued French AD Number F-2003-367 R1, 
Distribution A, Issue date: February 4, 2004, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    Did the DGAC inform the United States under the bilateral 
airworthiness agreement? These SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes 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.
    Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept us 
informed of the situation described above.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? We have examined the DGAC's findings, 
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is 
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes of the same type 
design that are registered in the United States, we are proposing AD 
action to detect and correct cracks in the fuselage skin, which could 
result in loss of aircraft pressurization. Loss of aircraft 
pressurization could lead to flight crew incapacitation.
    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service 
bulletins.
    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On 
July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 
47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation 
now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material 
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is 
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD 
actions.

Costs of Compliance

    How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 185 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 
do the proposed inspection:

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                                                                  Total cost
              Labor cost                      Parts cost             per         Total cost on U.S. operators
                                                                   airplane
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1 work hour x $65 per hour = $65.....  Not applicable..........          $65  $65 x 185 = $12,025.
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    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed modification.

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                                                         Total cost per
             Labor cost                  Parts cost         airplane
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4 work hours x $65 per hour = $260..             $181              $441
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

Regulatory Findings

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have determined 
that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under 
Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD 
and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket FAA-2005-21464; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-32-AD'' in 
your request.

[[Page 39206]]

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 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE: Docket No. FAA-2005-21464; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-32-AD.

When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?

    (a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD) by August 19, 2005.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the following Model TBM 700 airplanes, 
serial numbers 1 through 255; 257 through 267; and 270, that are:
    (1) equipped with a VHF1 antenna mounted under the fuselage 
between frame C12 and C13 or C13 and C13bis; and
    (2) certificated in any category.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France. 
The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and correct 
cracks in the fuselage skin, which could result in loss of aircraft 
pressurization. Loss of aircraft pressurization could lead to flight 
crew incapacitation.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

    Note: The EADS SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin TBM Aircraft, 
SB 70-103, Amendment 1, ATA No. 53, dated September 2003, allows the 
pilot to perform the visual inspection of the fuselage skin in the 
VHF1 antenna mount area for cracks and loose rivets. The Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.3) only allow the pilot to perform 
preventive maintenance as described in 14 CFR part 43, App. A, 
paragraph (c). These visual inspections are not considered 
preventive maintenance under 14 CFR part 43, App. A, paragraph (c). 
Therefore, an appropriately-rated mechanic must perform all actions 
of this AD.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
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(1) Inspect the fuselage      Within the next 50    Follow EADS SOCATA
 skin in the VHF1 antenna      hours time-in-        Mandatory Service
 mount area between frame      service (TIS) after   Bulletin TBM
 C12 and C13 or C13 and        the effective date    Aircraft, SB 70-
 C13bis, for cracks and        of this AD.           103, Amendment 1,
 loose rivets.                 Repetitively          ATA No. 53, dated
                               inspect thereafter    September 2003.
                               at intervals not to
                               exceed 50 hours TIS
                               until the
                               modification in
                               paragraph (e)(2) of
                               this AD is done.
                               Modifying the VHF1
                               antenna bracket and
                               interface area
                               terminates the
                               repetitive
                               inspection
                               requirement of this
                               AD.
(2) Modify the VHF1 antenna   At whichever of the   Follow EADS SOCATA
 bracket and the antenna/      following that        Recommended Service
 fuselage interface.           occurs first:         Bulletin TBM
                              (i) Before further     Aircraft, SB 70-
                               flight anytime a      111, ATA No. 53,
                               crack or loose        dated October 2003,
                               rivet is found        and the applicable
                               during any            maintenance manual.
                               inspection required
                               in paragraph (e)(1)
                               of this AD..
                              (ii) Within 100
                               hours TIS or 12
                               months after the
                               effective date of
                               this AD, whichever
                               occurs later..
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May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small 
Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved 
alternative methods of compliance, contact Peter L. Rouse, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4135; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (g) French AD Number F-2003-367 R1, Distribution A, Issue date: 
February 4, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?

    (h) To get copies of the documents referenced in this AD, 
contact EADS SOCATA Tarbes, Direction des Services, 65921 Tarbes 
Cedex 9, France; telephone: 33 (0)5 62.41.73.00; facsimile: 33 (0)5 
62.41.76.54; or SOCATA AIRCRAFT, North Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke 
Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023. To view the AD docket, go to 
the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 
400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, 
DC, or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. This is docket number 
FAA-2005-21464; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-32-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 28, 2005.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-13333 Filed 7-6-05; 8:45 am]
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