Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE Model TBM 700 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 48 (Monday, March 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14308-14309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5274]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-61-AD; Amendment 39-12139; AD 2001-05-03]
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 you to apply Loctite on attaching bolt/
screw threads of inboard, central, and outboard carriages; increase 
tightening torques of associated hardware; and replace central carriage 
attaching bolts. 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 
loose, or the loss of, flap attaching bolts/screws, which could cause 
rough or irregular control. Such rough or irregular control could lead 
to the loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on April 27, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of April 
27, 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-61-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 two 
occurrences on Socata model TBM 700 airplanes where, following a 
flight, a screw of a flap attachment fitting was found partly unscrewed 
and another was missing. These occurrences are the result of flap 
vibration.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? Loose 
or the loss of flap attaching bolts/screws could result in rough or 
irregular control. Such rough or irregular control could lead to 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 certain Socata Model TBM 700 
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on January 2, 2001 (66 FR 64). The 
NPRM proposed to require you to apply Loctite on attaching bolt/screw 
threads of inboard, central, and outboard carriages; increase 
tightening torques of associated hardware; and replace central carriage 
attaching bolts.
    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.
    Socata has revised Service Bulletin No. SB 70-087 57, dated 
September 2000 (Amendment 1, dated November 2000), to incorporate minor 
procedural changes. This AD requires no further action if the original 
service bulletin is accomplished.

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 the addition of 
the revised service information and minor editorial corrections. We 
determined that this addition and 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 75 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:

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          Labor cost              Parts cost        Total cost per airplane       Total cost on U.S.  operators
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6 workhours  x  $60 per hour              $10   $360 + $10 = $370                $370  x  75 = $27,750
 = $360.
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[[Page 14309]]

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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
2001-05-03  Socata--Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-12139; Docket 
No. 2000-CE-61-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 1 through 164, and 166 
through 173, 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 loose, or the loss of, flap 
attaching bolts/screws, which could cause rough or irregular 
control. Such rough or irregular control could lead to the 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) Apply Loctite on          Within the next 25    In accordance with
 attaching bolt/screw          hours time-in-        the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 threads of inboard,           service (TIS) after   INSTRUCTIONS in
 central, and outboard         April 27, 2001 (the   Socata Service
 carriages; increase           effective date of     Bulletin SB 70-087,
 tightening torques of         this AD), if not      Amendment 1, dated
 associated hardward; and      already done.         November 2000, and
 replace central carriage                            applicable
 attaching bolts with new                            maintenance manual.
 bolts, part number                                  No further action
 Z00.N5109337315.                                    is required if
                                                     accomplished in
                                                     accordance with
                                                     Socata Service
                                                     Bulletin SB 70-087,
                                                     dated September
                                                     2000, and the
                                                     applicable
                                                     maintenance manual.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Do not install any        As of April 27, 2001  Not Applicable.
 central carriage attaching    (the effective date
 bolts that are not part       of this AD).
 number Z00.N5109337315 (or
 FAA-approved equivalent
 part number).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 64106; 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 No. SB 70-087 57, Amendment 1, dated 
November 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 27, 2001.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 2000-
375(A), dated September 20, 2000.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 26, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-5274 Filed 3-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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