Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 19, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7900-7902]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3614]



[[Page 7900]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-43-AD; Amendment 39-13051; AD 2003-04-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE Models TB 
9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 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) Models TB 9, TB 10, 
TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 airplanes. This AD requires you to 
repetitively inspect the aileron control gimbal joint for correct 
alignment and correct operation, and replace any misaligned or 
defective gimbal joint. 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 
failure of the aileron control gimbal joint. Such failure could lead to 
loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on April 7, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of April 
7, 2003.

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-43-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 
G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on all Socata Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 
21, and TB 200 airplanes. The DGAC reported an incident involving a 
Model TB 9 airplane. During flight, the pilot experienced loss of 
aileron control. Loss of aileron control resulted because the gimbal 
joint became disconnected from the aileron.
    The gimbal joint became disconnected from the aileron because the 
safety pin broke. The cause of the safety pin breaking is being 
investigated by the manufacturer. The result of the investigation may 
result in a future design change.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in failure of the aileron control gimbal 
joint. Such failure 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 all Socata Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, 
TB 21, and TB 200 airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 15, 2002 
(67 FR 69154). The NPRM proposed to require you to repetitively inspect 
the aileron control gimbal joint for correct alignment and correct 
operation, and replace any misaligned or defective gimbal joint.
    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.
    Is there a modification I can incorporate instead of repetitively 
inspecting the aileron control gimbal joint? The FAA has determined 
that long-term continued operational safety would be better assured by 
design changes that remove the source of the problem rather than by 
repetitive inspections or other special procedures. With this in mind, 
FAA will continue to work with Socata in collecting information and in 
performing fatigue analysis to determine whether a future design change 
may be necessary.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 346 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 
initial inspection:

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                                                               Total  cost
             Labor cost                    Parts cost         per  airplane     Total Cost  on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours x $60 per hour = $120..  No parts required for             $120  $120 x 346 = $41,520
                                      inspection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has no method of determining the number of repetitive 
inspections each owner/operator will incur over the life of each of the 
affected airplanes so the cost impact is based on the initial 
inspection.
    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
replacements 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 replacement:

[[Page 7901]]



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                   Labor cost                      Parts cost                Total cost per  airplane
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6 workhours x $60 per hour = $360..............            $469  $360 + $469 = $829
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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:

2003-04-03 SOCATA--Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-13051; Docket 
No. 2002-CE-43-AD.
    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 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 failure of the aileron control 
gimbal joint. Such failure could lead to 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) Inspect the aileron       Upon accumulating     In accordance with
 control gimbal joint for      300 hours time-in-    the Accomplishment
 correct alignment and         service (TIS) on      Instructions in
 correct operation.            the aileron control   Socata TB Aircraft
                               gimbal joint or       Mandatory Service
                               within the next 30    Bulletin SB 10-130
                               hours TIS after       27, dated April
                               April 7, 2003 (the    2002.
                               effective date of
                               this AD), whichever
                               occurs later.
                               Repetitively
                               inspect thereafter
                               at intervals not to
                               exceed 100 hours
                               TIS.
-----------------------------
(2) Replace misaligned or     Prior to further      In accordance with
 defective gimbal joints       flight after the      the Accomplishment
 found during any inspection   inspection where a    Instructions in
 required in paragraph         misaligned or         Socata TB Aircraft
 (d)(1) of this AD.            defective gimbal      Mandatory Service
                               joint was found.      Bulletin SB 10-130
                               The inspection        27, dated April
                               requirements of       2002, and the
                               paragraph (d)(1)      applicable
                               start over after      maintenance manual.
                               each replacement.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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, Standards Office, 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, Standards Office.

    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 TB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 10-130 27, 
dated April 2002. 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 2002-
225(A), dated May 15, 2002.

    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on April 7, 2003.


[[Page 7902]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 6, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-3614 Filed 2-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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