[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 157 (Monday, August 15, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50405-50407]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20165]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0530 Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-012-AD;
Amendment 39-16770; AD 2011-17-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for SOCATA
Model TBM 700 airplanes. This 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:
A TBM 700 operator reported a case of elevator trim tab actuator
jamming once the trim tab arrived to stop.
The investigations conducted by the trim tab actuator
manufacturer have shown that there was a discrepancy with PRECILEC
manufacturing process of elevator trim tab actuator which caused
this event. It has been determined as well that this discrepancy is
limited to a batch of Serial Numbers (S/N).
If not detected and corrected, a jammed trim tab could lead to
unusual control forces, resulting in lower controllability,
particularly if combined with adverse flight conditions at landing.
We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 19, 2011.
On September 19, 2011, the Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed
in this AD.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document 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.
For service information identified in this AD, contact SOCATA--
Direction des Services--65921 Tarbes Cedex 9--France; telephone +33 (0)
62 41 7300, fax +33 (0) 62 41 76 54, or for North America: SOCATA NORTH
AMERICA, 7501 South Airport Road, North Perry Airport (HWO), Pembroke
Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 893-1400; fax: (954) 964-4141;
e-mail: [email protected]; Internet: http://mysocata.com. You
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
(816) 329-4148.
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; e-mail:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on May 25, 2011 (76 FR
30295). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
A TBM 700 operator reported a case of elevator trim tab actuator
jamming once the trim tab arrived to stop.
The investigations conducted by the trim tab actuator
manufacturer have shown that there was a discrepancy with PRECILEC
manufacturing process of elevator trim tab actuator which caused
this event. It has been determined as well that this discrepancy is
limited to a batch of Serial Numbers (S/N).
If not detected and corrected, a jammed trim tab could lead to
unusual control forces, resulting in lower controllability,
particularly if combined with adverse flight conditions at landing.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires the inspection
of the elevators trim tab actuator P/N 6071017251 for identification
of S/N and, in case of findings, the replacement of the affected
ones with serviceable units.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
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.
We might also have required 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 AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 377 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product to
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S.
operators to be $32,045, or $85 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 7 work-hours and require parts costing $0, for a cost of
$595 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products
that may need these actions.
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
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
[[Page 50406]]
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 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.
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 the NPRM, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
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:
2011-17-06 SOCATA: Amendment 39-16770; Docket No. FAA-2011-0530;
Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-012-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective
September 19, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial
numbers 1 through 530, certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight
Controls.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
A TBM 700 operator reported a case of elevator trim tab actuator
jamming once the trim tab arrived to stop.
The investigations conducted by the trim tab actuator
manufacturer have shown that there was a discrepancy with PRECILEC
manufacturing process of elevator trim tab actuator which caused
this event. It has been determined as well that this discrepancy is
limited to a batch of Serial Numbers (S/N).
If not detected and corrected, a jammed trim tab could lead to
unusual control forces, resulting in lower controllability,
particularly if combined with adverse flight conditions at landing.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires the inspection
of the elevators trim tab actuator P/N 6071017251 for identification
of S/N and, in case of findings, the replacement of the affected
ones with serviceable units.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within 12 months after September 19, 2011 (the effective
date of this AD), identify the serial number (S/N) of Left Hand and
Right Hand PRECILEC elevator trim tab actuators following DAHER-
SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-190-27, dated January 2011.
(2) If, as a result of the inspection required by paragraph
(f)(1) of this AD you find any affected elevator trim tab actuator
as listed in DAHER-SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-190-27,
dated January 2011, installed on an airplane, before further flight,
replace it with a serviceable part following DAHER-SOCATA Mandatory
Service Bulletin SB 70-190-27, dated January 2011.
(3) After September 19, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), do
not install on an airplane any PRECILEC elevator trim tab actuator
part number 6071017251 with an S/N listed in DAHER-SOCATA Mandatory
Service Bulletin SB 70-190-27, dated January 2011, unless it has
been repaired in accordance with DAHER-SOCATA Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB 70-190-27, dated January 2011.
Note 1: Trim tab actuators repaired by a service center are
identified with screw green colored locking varnish as shown in
figure 2 of DAHER-SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-190-27,
dated January 2011.
FAA AD Differences
Note 2: 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; e-mail:
[email protected]. 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, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn:
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.:
2011-0060, dated March 29, 2011 (Correction: March 30, 2011); and
DAHER-SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-190-27, dated January
2011, for related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use DAHER-SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-
190-27,
[[Page 50407]]
dated January 2011, 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
SOCATA--Direction des Services--65921 Tarbes Cedex 9--France;
telephone +33 (0) 62 41 7300, fax +33 (0) 62 41 76 54, or for North
America: SOCATA NORTH AMERICA, 7501 South Airport Road, North Perry
Airport (HWO), Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 893-
1400; fax: (954) 964-4141; e-mail: [email protected];
Internet: http://mysocata.com.
(3) You may review copies of the referenced service information
at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference for this AD 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 28, 2011.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-20165 Filed 8-12-11; 8:45 am]
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