[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 226 (Tuesday, November 24, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64844-64845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31010]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-CE-65-AD; Amendment 39-10890; AD 98-24-04]
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 repetitively inspecting (using visual
methods) the web of the left and right flap carriage for cracks, and
replacing any cracked flap carriage with one of improved design. The
proposed 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 detect and correct
cracks in a flap carriage, which could result in loss of the flap
function with consequent reduced and/or loss of airplane control.
DATES: Effective December 28, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 28, 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) 964-4141. This information may also be examined
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-65-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 September 18, 1998 (63 FR 49881). The
NPRM proposed to require repetitively inspecting (using visual methods)
the web of the left and right flap carriage for cracks, and replacing
any cracked flap carriage with one of improved design. The proposed
repetitive inspections would no longer be required on those flap
carriages replaced with improved design parts.
Accomplishment of the proposed inspections as specified in the NPRM
would be required in accordance with SOCATA Service Bulletin SB 70-048
57, Amendment 1, dated January 1995. The replacements, if necessary,
would be accomplished in accordance with Chapter 57-50-03 of the
applicable maintenance manual. The parts necessary are referenced in
the service bulletin and are available from the manufacturer.
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. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
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
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
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 44 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 workhours 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 the initial inspections
[[Page 64845]]
specified in this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,920, or
$180 per airplane.
These figures only take into account the costs of the initial
inspection and do not take into account the costs of any repetitive
inspections or the costs of replacing any flap carriage found cracked.
The FAA has no way of determining the number of repetitive inspections
each owner/operator will incur over the life of the affected airplanes;
or the number of flap carriages that will be found cracked during the
inspections and need to be replaced.
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:
98-24-04 SOCATA--GROUPE AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-10890; Docket
No. 95-CE-65-AD.
Applicability: Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 1 through
92, 97, and 98, 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 (d) 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To detect and correct cracks in a flap carriage, which could
result in loss of the flap function with consequent reduced and/or
loss of airplane control, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the
effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed
100 hours TIS, inspect (using visual methods) the web of the left
and right flap carriages (both the inboard and outboard carriages)
for cracks. Accomplish these inspections in accordance with SOCATA
Service Bulletin SB 70-048 57, Amendment 1, dated January 1995.
(b) If any cracked flap carriage is found during any inspection
required by this AD, prior to further flight, replace it with a
carriage of improved design. Accomplish this replacement in
accordance with Chapter 57-50-03 of the applicable maintenance
manual. The parts necessary are referenced in SOCATA Service
Bulletin SB 70-048 57, Amendment 1, dated January 1995, and are
available from Socata at the address referenced in paragraph (e) of
this AD.
(1) Repetitive inspections will no longer be required on those
flap carriages replaced with improved design parts.
(2) Flap carriages may be replaced with improved design parts at
any time (but must immediately be replaced if found cracked), as
terminating action for the repetitive inspections of this AD.
(c) 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.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
initial or repetitive compliance times 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.
(e) Questions or technical information related to SOCATA Service
Bulletin SB 70-048 57, Amendment 1, dated January, 1995, should be
directed to 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) 964-4141. 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.
(f) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with SOCATA Service Bulletin SB 70-048 57, Amendment 1,
dated January 1995. 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 94-
110(B)R1, dated March 15, 1995.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on December 28, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 10, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-31010 Filed 11-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
