[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 216 (Thursday, November 8, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63098-63100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21782]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0158; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-081-AD; 
Amendment 39-15253; AD 2007-23-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; EADS SOCATA Model TBM 700 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    This Airworthiness Directive (AD) results from one report of 
main landing gear wheel attaching nut partly unscrewed on a TBM 850 
what has generated a loss of braking and which could lead to a wheel 
loss. The investigation revealed that this incident was due to a 
wheel axle machining issue, concerning a few production batches.

This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 28, 2007.
    On November 28, 2007, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.
    We must receive comments on this AD by December 10, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) 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; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The Direction g[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'aviation civile (DGAC), 
which is the aviation authority for France, has issued Emergency AD No. 
CN UF-2007-015--EADS SOCATA--TBM 700, dated September 20, 2007 
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    This Airworthiness Directive (AD) results from one report of 
main landing gear wheel attaching nut partly unscrewed on a TBM 850 
what has generated a loss of braking and which could lead to wheel 
loss. The investigation revealed that this incident was due to a 
wheel axle machining issue, concerning a few production batches.

    The MCAI requires you to inspect the main landing gear (MLG) wheel 
axles to determine that batch number. If the batch number is one 
affected by this AD, you are required to inspect the axle for 
conformity and replace the lockwasher if necessary.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    EADS SOCATA has issued TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 
Number SB 70-151, Amendment 1, dated September 2007. 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 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 agreement 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 issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between This 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.

[[Page 63099]]

    We might have also required 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 AD. These requirements take 
precedence over those copied from the MCAI.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule, because the 
non-conformity of the MLG wheel axles could cause the MLG attaching nut 
to unscrew, which could result in loss of braking ability and/or the 
wheel could detach from the airplane. Therefore, we determined that 
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment 
effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-0158; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-CE-081-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
    (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) 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2007-23-07 EADS SOCATA: Amendment 39-15253; Docket No. FAA-2007-
0158; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-081-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 
28, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Models TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 
205, 240, and 244 through 408, that:
    (1) Are certificated in any category; and
    (2) Have main landing gear (MLG) wheel axles with the following 
batch numbers installed: D67690 CZ49133, D67690 CZ52790, D67690 
CZ58448, D67690 CZ62189, D67690 CZ64034, D67690 CZ66207, D67690 
CZ68039, D67690 CZ70959, D67690 CZ72081, D67690 CZ72975, D67690 
CZ77612, or D67690 CZ78218.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    This Airworthiness Directive (AD) results from one report of 
main landing gear wheel attaching nut partly unscrewed on a TBM 850 
what has generated a loss of braking and which could lead to wheel 
loss. The investigation revealed that this incident was due to a 
wheel axle machining issue, concerning a few production batches.
    The MCAI requires you to inspect the main landing gear (MLG) 
wheel axles to determine the batch number. If the batch number is 
one affected by this AD, you are required to inspect the axle for 
conformity and replace the lockwasher if necessary.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect the MLG wheel axles to determine the batch number in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in EADS SOCATA TBM 
Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin Number SB 70-151, Amendment 1, 
dated September 2007.
    (2) Before further flight after the inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, if the MLG wheel axle shows a batch 
number listed in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD, inspect the axle for 
conformity in accordance with Messier-Dowty Technical Instruction 
No. CS/ 1020/07, Issue 1, dated September 11, 2007, as referenced in 
EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin Number SB 70-
151, Amendment 1, dated September 2007.
    (i) No further action is required if the axle is in conformance.
    (ii) Before further flight for non-conforming axles, replace the 
original lockwasher with a new lockwasher, part number (P/N) 
SKW40716-118R, and mark the axle using indelible ink with the 
inscription ``SB70-151-32'' in accordance with Messier-Dowty 
Technical Instruction No. CS/ 1020/07, Issue 1, dated September 11, 
2007, as referenced in EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin Number SB 70-151, Amendment 1, dated September 2007.
    (3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any MLG 
wheel axle with a batch number specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
AD unless it is inspected in accordance with Messier-Dowty Technical 
Instruction No. CS/

[[Page 63100]]

1020/07, Issue 1, dated September 11, 2007, as referenced in EADS 
SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin Number SB 70-151, 
Amendment 1, dated September 2007, and a new lockwasher is installed 
if necessary.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090. Before using 
any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify 
your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight 
Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (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

    (h) Refer to Direction g[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'aviation 
civile (DGAC) Emergency AD No. CN UF-2007-015--EADS SOCATA--TBM 700, 
dated September 20, 2007; EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin Number SB 70-151, Amendment 1, dated September 2007, for 
related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin Number SB 70-151, Amendment 1, dated September 2007, and 
Messier-Dowty Technical Instruction No. CS/ 1020/07, Issue 1, dated 
September 11, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, unless 
the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact EADS 
SOCATA, Direction des Services, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, France.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on October 30, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-21782 Filed 11-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P