[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 28, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68764-68766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9429]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26180; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-59-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; EADS SOCATA Model TBM 700 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as the discovery of propeller control cables with a defective 
crimping. Two cable ends were found uncrimped at the factory after an 
engine run-up test, and one cable end was also found uncrimped on the 
first 100 hour aircraft maintenance check. The proposed AD would 
require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 28, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     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.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSes section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert J. Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. The streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI

[[Page 68765]]

safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce safety 
risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certified products.
    This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service 
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to 
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from 
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language 
principles.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-
26180; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-59-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those 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 we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile, which is 
the aviation authority for France, has issued French AD No. F-2004-175, 
dated November 10, 2004, (referred to after this as ``MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states 
the discovery of propeller control cables with a defective crimping. 
Two cable ends were found uncrimped at the factory after an engine run-
up test, and one cable was also found uncrimped on the first 100-hour 
time-in-service aircraft maintenance check. If not corrected, an 
incorrect crimping of the propeller control lever cable could generate 
a decrease of the propeller revolutions per minute which could result 
in loss of power. As for the fuel control manual override, this 
condition has no consequence on operation. The MCAI requires you to 
check the batch number and/or replace the control cables. You may 
obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    EADS SOCATA has issued EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Alert 
Service Bulletin SB 70-123, ATA No. 76, dated October 2004. The actions 
described in this service information are intended to correct the 
unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreements with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
described in a separate paragraph of the proposed AD. These 
requirements, if ultimately adopted, will take precedence over the 
actions copied from the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 20 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 9 work-hours per product to comply with the 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required 
parts would cost about $2,200 per product. Where the service 
information lists required parts cost that are covered under warranty, 
we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. As we do 
not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may 
incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $58,400, 
or $2,920 per product.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue roles 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 regulations 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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    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 Regulator Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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 FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 68766]]

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.  13.13 by adding the following new AD:

EADS SOCATA: Docket No. FAA-2006-26180; Directorate Identifier 2006-
CE-59-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by December 28, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 
285 through 304 and 307, certificated in any category.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states the discovery of propeller control cables with a defective 
crimping. Two cable ends were found uncrimped at the factory after 
an engine run-up test, and one cable end was also found uncrimped on 
the first 100-hour time-in-service aircraft maintenance check. If 
not corrected, as incorrect crimping of the propeller control lever 
cable could generate a decrease of the propeller revolutions per 
minute which could result in loss of power.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, within the next 50 hours time-in-
service (TIS), inspect for the batch number identification and 
replace defective control cables as necessary in accordance with the 
paragraph B. of the ``ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS'' of EADS SOCATA 
TBM Aircraft Mandatory Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-123, ATA No. 76, 
dated October 2004.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows:
    (a) The requirement of paragraph 3.1 for the operational 
procedure was based on the urgency in November 2004. However, in 
November 2006, this action is not necessary.
    (2) For the requirement of paragraph 3.2, the seriousness of the 
condition warrants a compliance time of 50 hours TIS instead of 25 
hours TIS.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (f) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Albert J. Mercado, Aerospace Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119, fax: (816) 
329-4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR part 39.19.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et.seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (g) Refer to MCAI Director G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l' Aviation 
Civile Airworthiness Directive No. F-2004-175, dated November 10, 
2004, and EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Alert Service Bulletin 
SB 70-123, ATA No. 76, dated October 2004, for related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 20, 2006.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-9429 Filed 11-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M