[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 111 (Monday, June 9, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32495-32497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12818]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0627; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-033-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 rupture of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling system 
pulley drive assembly has reportedly been found. Such a failure 
could lead to the loss of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling 
systems and could also cause mechanical damage inside the powerplant 
compartment.

    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 July 9, 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.

[[Page 32496]]

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 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 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: 

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-2008-0627; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-033-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://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

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD No.: 2008-0067-E, dated April 3, 2008 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    A rupture of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling system 
pulley drive assembly has reportedly been found. Such a failure 
could lead to the loss of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling 
systems and could also cause mechanical damage inside the powerplant 
compartment.
    To address this condition, AD 2008-0063-E had been published to 
require a check of the pulley drive assembly for leakage and, as an 
interim action, removal of the compressor drive belt from the 
assembly, and adoption of a new operational procedure to keep the 
air-conditioning system deactivated.
    This AD retains the requirements of AD 2008-0063-E which is 
superseded, introduces a mandatory terminating action which consists 
in replacing the original pulley drive assembly by a new one of an 
improved design--corresponding to the EADS SOCATA modification MOD 
70-0231-21--that permits reinstallation of the compressor drive 
belt.

    The MCAI requires you to deactivate the air conditioning system, 
inspect the pulley drive assembly for leaks, and replace the pulley 
drive assembly (P/N) T700G215504900000 with the new P/N 
T700G215505710000 either immediately if leaks are found or at a certain 
time if no leaks are found.
    On April 30, 2008, we issued AD 2008-10-13, Amendment 39-15520 (73 
FR 26318; May 9, 2008). AD 2008-10-13 was issued as an interim action 
in order to address the need to deactivate the air conditioning system, 
inspect the pulley drive assembly for leaks, and replace the pulley 
drive assembly if leaks are found.
    The Administrative Procedure Act does not permit the FAA to 
``bootstrap'' a long-term requirement into an urgent safety of flight 
action where the rule becomes effective at the same time the public has 
the opportunity to comment. The short-term action and the long-term 
action were analyzed separately for justification to bypass prior 
public notice.
    We are issuing this proposed AD to address the mandatory long-term 
action of replacing the pulley drive assembly.

Relevant Service Information

    EADS SOCATA has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-156, 
Amendment 1, dated March 2008. 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 
will affect 21 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it 
would take about 10 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 $2,912 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $77,952, or $3,712 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

[[Page 32497]]

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 39-15520 (73 FR 
26318; May 9, 2008), and adding the following new AD:

EADS SOCATA: Docket No. FAA-2008-0627; Directorate Identifier 2008-
CE-033-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by July 9, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-10-13, Amendment 39-15520.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Models TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 
434 through 455, certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 24: Electric 
Power.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    A rupture of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling system 
pulley drive assembly has reportedly been found. Such a failure 
could lead to the loss of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling 
systems and could also cause mechanical damage inside the powerplant 
compartment.
    To address this condition, AD 2008-0063-E had been published to 
require a check of the pulley drive assembly for leakage and, as an 
interim action, removal of the compressor drive belt from the 
assembly, and adoption of a new operational procedure to keep the 
air-conditioning system deactivated.
    This AD retains the requirements of AD 2008-0063-E which is 
superseded, introduces a mandatory terminating action which consists 
in replacing the original pulley drive assembly by a new one of an 
improved design--corresponding to the EADS SOCATA modification MOD 
70-0231-21--that permits reinstallation of the compressor drive 
belt.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following before further flight 
after May 9, 2008 (the compliance date retained from AD 2008-10-13):
    (1) Position to ``OFF'' the air-conditioning ``AIR COND'' 
switch.
    (2) Inspect for oil leakage in the pulley drive assembly by 
following EADS SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) No. 70-156 Amendment 1, 
dated March 2008.
    (i) If any leak is found, before further flight after the 
inspection, replace the pulley drive assembly part number (P/N) 
T700G215504900000 with P/N T700G215505710000 following EADS SOCATA 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 70-156 Amendment 1, dated March 2008.
    (ii) If no leak is found, before further flight, remove the 
compressor drive belt from the pulley drive assembly following 
either EADS SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) No. 70-156, original issue; 
or EADS SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) No. 70-156, Amendment 1; both 
dated March 2008.
    (3) The air-conditioning ``AIR COND'' switch must be in the 
``OFF'' position and the compressor drive belt must remain removed 
until the pulley drive assembly part number (P/N) T700G215504900000 
is replaced with P/N T700G215505710000 following EADS SOCATA Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. 70-156 Amendment 1, dated March 2008. This 
replacement must be done before further flight if any leak is found 
and may be done at any time as terminating action to this AD.
    (g) Within the next 12 months after the effective date of this 
AD, unless already done, replace the pulley drive assembly P/N 
T700G215504900000 with P/N T700G215505710000 and reinstall the 
compressor drive belt, following EADS SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) 
No. 70-156 Amendment 1, dated March 2008.

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) Under 14 CFR 39.23, we are limiting the special flight 
permits for the check of equipment of this AD under the following 
condition: The air-conditioning ``AIR-COND'' switch is set to the 
``OFF'' position.

Related Information

    (j) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Emergency AD No.: 2008-0067-E, dated April 3, 2008, and EADS SOCATA 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 70-156 Amendment 1, dated March 2008, for 
related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 2, 2008.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-12818 Filed 6-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P