[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 241 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71279-71281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24321]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0349; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-094-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 that would supersede an existing AD. This 
proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) originated 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:

    A non-respect of the pilot door adjustment procedure could have 
damaged the stop fitting and could result in a consequent 
depressurization of the airplane.

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 January 16, 
2008.

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, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.
    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) 647-5527) 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: 

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-2007-0349; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-094-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite

[[Page 71280]]

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://regulations.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

    On February 6, 2007, we issued AD 2007-04-08, Amendment 39-14939 
(72 FR 7559 February 16, 2007). That AD required actions intended to 
address an unsafe condition on the products listed above.
    Since we issued AD 2007-04-08, EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB 70-131, Amendment 1, dated June 2007, was issued, 
which adds a procedure in the replacement of the stop fittings.
    The Direction g[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'aviation civile (DGAC), 
which is the aviation authority for France, has issued AD No. F-2007-
016, October 10, 2007 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    A non-respect of the pilot door adjustment procedure could have 
damaged the stop fitting and could result in a consequent 
depressurization of the airplane.

This proposed AD requires you to inspect the pilot door locking stop 
fittings for correct length and replace any incorrect length pilot door 
locking stop fittings found.
    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 SB 
70-131, Amendment 1, dated June 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 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 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 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 
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 157 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 4.5 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $15 per product. Based on 
these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators to be $58,875, or $375 per product.

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 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 Regulatory 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:

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 removing Amendment 39-14939 (72 FR 
7559, February 16, 2007), and adding the following new AD:

EADS SOCATA: Docket No. FAA-2007-0349; Directorate Identifier 2007-
CE-094-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by January 16, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) AD 2007-04-08, Amendment 39-14939.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 
126 through 322, that are:
    (1) equipped with a pilot door; and
    (2) certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 53: 
Fuselage.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

[[Page 71281]]

    A non-respect of the pilot door adjustment procedure could have 
damaged the stop fitting and could result in a consequent 
depressurization of the airplane.

This AD requires you to inspect the pilot door locking stop fittings 
for correct length and replace any incorrect length pilot door 
locking stop fittings found.

Requirements Retained From AD 2007-04-08

    (f) Unless already done, inspect the pilot door locking stop-
fittings for correct length within 30 days after March 23, 2007 (the 
effective date of AD 2007-04-08). Do the inspection following EADS 
SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-131, dated July 
2005, or EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-
131, Amendment 1, dated June 2007.

New Requirements of This AD: Actions and Compliance

    (g) Do the following actions, unless already done:
    (1) Any incorrect length pilot door locking stop-fittings 
replaced following the inspection required in paragraph (f) of this 
AD in accordance with AD 2007-04-08, using the original issue of 
EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-131, dated 
July 2005, must be replaced again within the next 12 months after 
the effective date of this AD. Do the replacement using EADS SOCATA 
TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-131, Amendment 1, 
dated June 2007.
    (2) Any incorrect length pilot door locking stop-fittings found 
during the inspection required in paragraph (f) of this AD and not 
previously replaced in accordance with AD 2007-04-08, must be 
replaced before further flight. Do the replacement using EADS SOCATA 
TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-131, Amendment 1, 
dated June 2007.

FAA AD Differences

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

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (h) 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.

Special Flight Permit

    (i) If you have ordered parts and they are not available, then 
you may fly unpressurized until parts become available or for a 
period not to exceed 90 days after the inspection required in 
paragraph (f) of this AD, whichever occurs first. You must also 
fabricate and install a placard as described below. Completing the 
action of paragraph (g)(2) of this AD terminates the placard 
requirement.
    (1) Fabricate (using letters at least 1/8 inch in height) a 
warning placard that states ``This airplane is prohibited from 
pressurized flight.''
    (2) Install the placard in full view of the pilot. The owner/
operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized 
by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) 
may install the placard as required in paragraph (h) of this AD.

Related Information

    (j) Refer to MCAI Direction generale de l'aviation civile (DGAC) 
AD No. F-2007-016, October 10, 2007; and EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft 
Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-131, Amendment 1, dated June 2007, 
for related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 11, 2007.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-24321 Filed 12-14-07; 8:45 am]
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