Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE Model TBM 700 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 183 (Friday, September 20, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59137-59139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-23513]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-15-AD; Amendment 39-12881; AD 2002-19-01]
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 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: 011 33 5 
62 41 73 00; 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: (954) 893-
1400; facsimile: (954) 964-4141. 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;

[[Page 59138]]

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 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:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Total cost per
              Labor cost                      Parts cost             airplane      Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $60 per hour = $60......  None....................             $60   $60 x 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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
            Labor cost                  Parts cost           airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 workhours x $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:

[[Page 59139]]

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:

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

    (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: (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. 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: 011 33 5 62 41 73 00; 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: (954) 893-1400; facsimile: (954) 
964-4141. 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.
[FR Doc. 02-23513 Filed 9-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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