02-23513. Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE Model TBM 700 Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all SOCATA—Groupe AEROSPATIALE (Socata) Model TBM 700 airplanes. This AD requires you to perform a test on the flight control system and adjust the control roll stop if jamming occurs during the test. 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 the flight control wheels from traveling beyond normal roll control limits, which could result in the control wheel becoming jammed. Such a condition could lead to reduced or loss of control of the airplane.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective on October 29, 2002.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of October 29, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

You may get the service information referenced in this AD from SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930—F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: 011 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: [phone]; facsimile: [phone]. You may view this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-15-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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:

Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Socata Model TBM 700 airplanes. The DGAC reports that, during a ground test of the flight control system on one of the affected airplanes, the pilot control wheel became jammed when performing dual actions (e.g., full up and full left) because the control wheel was turned beyond normal roll control travel limits. This was a result of a misadjustment of the roll control.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

If this condition is not corrected, it could result in the flight control wheels traveling beyond normal roll control limits, which could result in the control wheel becoming jammed. This could lead to reduced or loss of control of the airplane.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all Socata Model TBM 700 airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on July 12, 2002 (67 FR 46130). The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the flight control system to determine if jamming occurs and adjust the roll control stop to correct this condition.

What Are the Differences Between This AD, the Service Information, and the DGAC AD?

The DGAC AD requires inspection and, if necessary, adjustment prior to further flight after the effective date of the AD. We require that you inspect and, if necessary, adjust within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD.

We do not have justification to require this action prior to further flight. We use compliance times such as this when we have identified an urgent safety of flight situation. We believe that 100 hours TIS will give the owners or operators of the affected airplanes enough time to have the actions required by this AD accomplished without compromising the safety of the airplanes.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

—Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and

—Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

We estimate that this AD affects 133 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected Airplanes?

We estimate the following costs to accomplish the inspection:

Labor cost	Parts cost	Total cost per airplane	Total cost on U.S. operators
1 workhour × $60 per hour = $60	None	$60	$60 × 133 = $7,980.

We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary modification that will be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need such modification:

Labor cost	Parts cost	Total cost per airplane
3 workhours × $60 per hour = $180	None	$180.

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

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, under 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. FAA amends § 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2002-19-01 SOCATA—Groupe AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-12881; Docket No. 2002-CE-15-AD.

(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects Model TBM 700 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any category.

(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must comply with this AD.

(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the flight control wheels from traveling beyond normal roll control limits, which could result in the control wheel becoming jammed. Such a condition could lead to reduced or loss of control of the airplane.

(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

Actions	Compliance	Procedures
(1) Perform a test of the pilot and right-hand (RH) station control wheels to determine if either control wheel becomes jammed	Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after October 29, 2002 (the effective date of this AD) and thereafter every time the flight control system undergoes maintenance	In accordance with Socata TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-095 27, November 2001.
(2) Adjust the roll control stops if jamming occurs on either the pilot control wheel or the RH station control wheel during any test required in paragraph (d)(1) of this AD	Prior to further flight after jamming is found during any test required by paragraph (d)(1) of this AD	In accordance with Socata TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-095 27, dated November 2001.

(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:

(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of safety; and

(2) The Standards Office Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Standards Office Manager.

Note 1:

This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph (a) of this AD, 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific actions you propose to address it.

(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved alternative methods of compliance? Contact Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone].

(g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where you can accomplish the requirements of this AD. No passengers are allowed for this flight.

(h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance with Socata TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-095 27, dated November 2001. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get copies from SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930—F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: 011 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: [phone]; facsimile: [phone]. You may view copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

Note 2:

The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 2001-582(A), dated November 28, 2001.

(i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment becomes effective on October 29, 2002.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 6, 2002.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.