Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA-Groupe Aerospatiale Model TBM 700 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 40 (Wednesday, February 28, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12729-12731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4399]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-69-AD; Amendment 39-12126; AD 2001-04-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA-Groupe Aerospatiale Model TBM 
700 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

[[Page 12730]]


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 you to install a thermal protection sleeve 
on the propeller governor flexible cable. 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 loss of propeller control because of hardening 
or blocking of the control cable, which could result in the inability 
to control propeller pitch and inability to feather the propeller. Such 
failure could lead to loss of airplane control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on April 13, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of April 
13, 2001.

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: (33) 
(0)5.62.41.73.00; facsimile: (33) (0)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) 894-
1160; facsimile: (954) 964-4191. You may examine this information at 
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-69-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: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

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 
certain Socata Model TBM 700 airplanes. The DGAC reports five 
occurrences on civilian and military Socata Model TBM 700 airplanes 
where there was damage to the internal sleeve of the flexible propeller 
control cable. This damage was because of thermal conduction generated 
by the turboprop left hand exhaust nozzle.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of propeller 
control because of hardening or blocking of the control cable. This 
could result in the inability to control propeller pitch and inability 
to feather the propeller. Such failure could lead to loss of airplane 
control.
    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 certain SOCATA Model TBM 700 
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 14, 2000 (65 FR 
78122). The NPRM proposed to require you to install a thermal 
protection sleeve on the propeller governor flexible cable.
    Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were 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.

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 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

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 80 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 
modification:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost        Total cost per airplane         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $120..  $40....................  $120 + $40 = $160......  $160  x  80 = $12,800.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compliance Time of This AD

    What will be the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of 
this AD will be within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
the effective date of this AD or within the next 3 calendar months 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    Why is the compliance time of this AD presented in both hours TIS 
and calendar time? The affected airplanes are used in general aviation 
operations. Those operators may accumulate 100 hours TIS on the 
airplane in less than 3 months and many owners have numerous affected 
airplanes. We have determined that the dual compliance time:

--Gives all owners/operators of the affected airplanes adequate time to 
schedule and do the actions in this AD; and
--Ensures that the unsafe condition referenced in this AD will be 
corrected within a reasonable time period without inadvertently 
grounding any of the affected airplanes.

    What are the differences between the French AD and this AD? The 
French AD requires the modification at the next scheduled inspection 
and at the latest before December 21, 2000. We are requiring that you 
install the thermal protection sleeve within the next 100 hours time-
in-service (TIS), or within the next 3 calendar months, whichever 
occurs first.
    We cannot legally enforce a compliance time of at the next 
scheduled inspection. We believe that a compliance time of 100 hours 
TIS or within the next 3 months, whichever occurs first, will give the 
owners or operators of the affected airplanes enough time to have the 
actions accomplished without compromising the safety of the airplanes.

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

[[Page 12731]]

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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

2001-04-07  Socata-Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-12126; Docket 
No. 2000-CE-69-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 1 through 156, and 158 thru 
163, that are certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent loss of propeller control because of 
hardening or blocking of the control cable, which could result in 
the inability to control propeller pitch and inability to feather 
the propeller. Such failure could lead to loss of airplane control.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install a thermal protection  Within the next 100   In accordance with
 sleeve on the propeller       hours time-in-        Accomplishment
 governor flexible cable.      service (TIS) after   Instructions of
                               April 13, 2001 (the   Socata Service
                               effective date of     Bulletin SB 70-084,
                               this AD) or within    dated September
                               the next 3 calendar   2000, and the
                               months after April    applicable
                               13, 2001, whichever   maintenance manual.
                               occurs first,
                               unless already
                               accomplished.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 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 
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

    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 64016; telephone: (816) 329-4146; 
facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
    (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.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Socata Service Bulletin SB 70-084, dated September 2000. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by 
reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get 
copies 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. You can 
look at 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.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on April 13, 2001.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 2000-
430(A), dated November 15, 2000.



    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 14, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-4399 Filed 2-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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