[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30375-30377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14615]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-76-AD; Amendment 39-10559; AD 98-12-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale Model TBM
700 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale (SOCATA) Model TBM 700
airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the elevator trim tab fittings
for cracks, and replacing any elevator trim tab found to have cracks.
This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent cracks in the elevator
trim tab fittings, which could result in separation of the elevator
trim tab and loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective July 17, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 17, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-
Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930-F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone: 33-5-62-
41-76-52; facsimile: 33-5-62-41-76-54; or the Product Support Manager,
SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road,
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 893-1400; facsimile:
(954) 893-1402. This information may also be examined at the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-76-AD, Room 1558, 601 E.
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington,
DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut Street, suite
900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6934; facsimile:
(816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain SOCATA Model
TBM 700 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 12, 1998 (63 FR 7080). The NPRM
proposed to require inspecting the elevator trim tab fittings for
cracks using a dye penetrant method, and replacing any cracked elevator
trim tab. Accomplishment of the proposed inspection and replacement
would be in accordance with SOCATA TBM Aircraft Service Bulletin No. SB
70-079-55, dated April, 1996.
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given the
three comments received from one commenter.
Comment No. 1: Number of Airplanes Affected
SOCATA Group Aerospatiale (SOCATA), which is the manufacturer of
the affected airplanes, states that the applicability of the proposed
action is wrong. The proposed action will not affect all of the Model
TBM 700 airplanes, and that the only airplanes affected are those
airplanes with serial numbers 83, and 93 through 109. SOCATA also
states that its most current records show that there are only seven
affected TBM 700 airplanes on the U.S. Registry instead of the 16
affected airplanes that the FAA estimates, which would reduce the cost
impact projected in the NPRM.
The FAA concurs. Since publication of the proposed action, this
information has become available to the FAA by way of the manufacturer.
The final rule will be changed to reflect the above serial
[[Page 30376]]
numbers in the applicability section. The final rule will also be
changed with respect to the cost impact estimate, thereby reducing the
total cost impact on the owners/operators in the U.S. fleet.
Comment No. 2: Change in Cost of Parts
The manufacturer states that the cost of the elevator trim tab has
changed from $200 to $2,100 because the trim tab fitting is built into
a larger assembly. Removing just the cracked fitting from the elevator
trim tab is impossible. Therefore, if cracks are found, the entire
elevator trim tab assembly must be replaced.
The FAA concurs. The final rule will reflect the change in the cost
of the elevator trim tab assembly and the cost impact paragraph to
reflect more accurate numbers. If no cracks are found in the elevator
trim tab fitting, it is unlikely that cracks will occur at a later
time.
Comment No. 3: Wrong Telephone and Facsimile Numbers
SOCATA advises that the telephone and facsimile numbers published
in the NPRM are wrong and should be changed accordingly. The FAA
concurs and will change the telephone and facsimile numbers in the
final rule.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
the changes mentioned above and minor editorial corrections. The FAA
has determined that these corrections will not change the meaning of
the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 7 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per
airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor rate
is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $420, or $60 per
airplane, for the inspection only.
If cracks are found during the required inspection, parts cost
approximately $2,100 per airplane. The FAA is unable to determine which
of the affected airplanes inspected would have cracks; therefore, the
cost of the parts would only be incurred by an owner/operator if cracks
were found during the required inspection. The manufacturer has
informed the FAA that one elevator trim tab assembly has been shipped
to an owner/operator of one of the affected airplanes. The FAA is
assuming that the assembly was installed. This would reduce the cost
impact for the required inspection by $60, from $420 to $360.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
98-12-02 SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10559; Docket No.
97-CE-76-AD.
Applicability: Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 83, and
93 through 109, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent cracks in the elevator trim tab fitting, which could
result in separation of the elevator trim tab and loss of control of
the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect the left- and right-hand elevator trim tab fittings
for cracks using a dye penetrant aerosol method in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions section in SOCATA TBM Aircraft
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 70-079-55, dated April, 1996.
(b) If cracks are found, prior to further flight, replace the
cracked part with one of improved design in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions section in SOCATA TBM Aircraft SB No.
70-079-55, dated April, 1996.
(c) No person may install an elevator trim tab assembly
manufactured between January 1, 1993 and February 29, 1996, on any
SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplane.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1201
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane
Directorate.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(f) Questions or technical information related to SOCATA TBM
Aircraft SB No. 70-079-55, dated April, 1996, should be
[[Page 30377]]
directed to SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome
Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930--F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone
(33) 62.41.73.00; facsimile 62.41.76.54; or the Product Support
Manager, SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North Perry Airport, 7501
Pembroke Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone (954) 964-
6877; facsimile: (954) 964-1668. This service information may be
examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(g) The inspection and replacement required by this AD shall be
done in accordance with SOCATA TBM Aircraft SB No. 70-079-55, dated
April, 1996. This incorporation by reference was approved by the
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from SOCATA Groupe
AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, BP
930--F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; or the Product Support Manager,
SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke
Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023. Copies may be inspected at the
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601
E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700,
Washington, DC.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on July 17, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 22, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14615 Filed 6-3-98; 8:45 am]
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