95-13126. Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE TBM 700 Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 7, 1995)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 29982-29983]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-13126]
    
    
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 94-CE-26-AD; Amendment 39-9249; AD 95-11-16]
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE TBM 700 
    Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
    applies to certain SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE (Socata) TBM 700 
    airplanes. This action requires installing pneumatic deicers on the 
    elevator horn leading edges. Ice accumulation on one of the affected 
    airplanes during flight testing in icing conditions prompted the 
    required action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
    prevent ice accumulation on the elevator horn, which could lead to loss 
    of control of the airplane.
    
    DATES: Effective July 19, 1995.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of July 19, 1995.
    
    ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
    from the SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Socata Product Support, Aeroport 
    Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930, 65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone 
    62.41.74.26; facsimile 62.41.74.32; or the Product Support Manager, 
    U.S. AEROSPATIALE, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053; 
    telephone (214) 641-3614; facsimile (214) 641-3527. This information 
    may also be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
    Assistant Chief Counsel, 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. Raymond A. Stoer, Program Officer, 
    Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle 
    East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; telephone 
    (322) 513.38.30; facsimile (322) 230.68.99; or Mr. Mike Kiesov, 
    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: 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 TBM 700 airplanes was published in the Federal 
    Register on January 20, 1995 (60 FR 4117). The action proposed to 
    require installing pneumatic deicers on the elevator horn leading 
    edges. Accomplishment of the proposed installation would be in 
    accordance with Socata Technical Instruction of Modification No. OPT70 
    K020-30, dated February 1993.
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
    the one comment received.
        Socata recommends that AD action is not justified because it 
    believes all owners/operators of the affected airplanes have installed 
    pneumatic deicers on the elevator horn leading edges. The FAA does not 
    concur that AD action is not justified even if all owners/operators may 
    have already complied. AD's are issued to assure that each affected 
    airplane is in compliance with the action, and that those airplanes 
    continue to be in compliance. Even if all owners/operators have 
    complied with this action, the AD will ensure that these airplanes 
    continue to have these pneumatic deicers installed and that any 
    airplanes added to the U.S. registry will have pneumatic deicers 
    installed. The AD is unchanged as a result of this comment.
        No comments were received on the FAA's determination of the cost to 
    the public.
        After careful review of all available information including the 
    comment discussed 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.
        The FAA estimates that 20 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
    affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 25 workhours per 
    airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
    rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost $3,710 per airplane. 
    Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
    operators is estimated to be $104,200. This figure is based upon the 
    assumption that no affected airplane/operator has accomplished the 
    required action. Socata has informed the FAA that it believes all 
    affected airplane owners/operators have already accomplished the 
    required installation. With this in mind, this action will impose no 
    cost impact upon U.S. operators.
        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 
    [[Page 29983]] 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
    106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
    
    
    Sec. 39.13  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new AD to read as follows:
    
    95-11-16  SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-9249; Docket No. 
    94-CE-26-AD.
    
        Applicability: TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 1 to 49, 
    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 use the authority 
    provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the 
    FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
    configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions 
    necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
    a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
    configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
    case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
    remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
    
        Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
    after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
        To prevent ice accumulation on the elevator horn, which could 
    lead to loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
        (a) Install pneumatic deicers on the elevator horn leading edges 
    in accordance with Socata Technical Instruction of Modification No. 
    OPT70 K020-30, dated February 1993. This installation is referenced 
    in Socata TBM Service Bulletin SB 70-020-30, dated February 1993.
        (b) 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.
        (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
    compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
    approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Office 
    (ACO), FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office, c/o American 
    Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. The request shall be forwarded 
    through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
    comments and then send it to the Manager, Brussels ACO.
    
        Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the Brussels ACO.
    
        (d) The installation required by this AD shall be done in 
    accordance with Socata Technical Instruction of Modification No. 
    OPT70 K020-30, dated February 1993. 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, Socata Product Support, Aeroport Tarbes-
    Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930, 65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; or the Product 
    Support Manager, U.S. AEROSPATIALE, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, 
    Texas 75053. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, 
    Office of the Assistant Chief 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.
        (e) This amendment (39-9249) becomes effective on July 19, 1995.
    
        Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 23, 1995.
    Henry A. Armstrong,
    Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 95-13126 Filed 6-6-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
7/19/1995
Published:
06/07/1995
Department:
Transportation Department
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
95-13126
Dates:
Effective July 19, 1995.
Pages:
29982-29983 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 94-CE-26-AD, Amendment 39-9249, AD 95-11-16
PDF File:
95-13126.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13