Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 1, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67341-67343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27949]



[[Page 67341]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0868; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-027-AD; 
Amendment 39-16854; AD 2011-23-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    A TBM700 operator reported an occurrence where, as a result of 
handling the standby compass lighting bulb cover in flight, both 
essential bus bars (ESS BUS 1 and ESS BUS 2) failed, leading to loss 
of a number of instruments and navigation systems.
    The technical investigations carried out by SOCATA have shown 
that the cause of this occurrence was that the electrical protection 
of some TBM 700 aeroplanes is insufficient to allow in-flight 
handling of the standby compass lighting cover when energized.
    This condition, if not corrected, may compromise the ability of 
the pilot to safely operate the aeroplane under certain flight 
conditions due to the increase of workload.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 6, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of December 6, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 
20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact SOCATA--
Direction des Services, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, France; telephone: +33 
(0)5 62 41 73 00; fax: +33 (0)5 62 41 7654; or in the United States 
contact SOCATA North America, Inc., North Perry Airport, 7501 South 
Airport Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 893-1400; 
fax: (954) 964-4141; Internet: http://www.socatanorthamerica.com. You 
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 16, 2011 (75 
FR 50706). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    A TBM700 operator reported an occurrence where, as a result of 
handling the standby compass lighting bulb cover in flight, both 
essential bus bars (ESS BUS 1 and ESS BUS 2) failed, leading to loss 
of a number of instruments and navigation systems.
    The technical investigations carried out by SOCATA have shown 
that the cause of this occurrence was that the electrical protection 
of some TBM 700 aeroplanes is insufficient to allow in-flight 
handling of the standby compass lighting cover when energized.
    This condition, if not corrected, may compromise the ability of 
the pilot to safely operate the aeroplane under certain flight 
conditions due to the increase of workload.
    To address this unsafe condition, SOCATA have developed a 
modification which consists of installing a protection fuse on the 
wire at the standby compass connector, introduced by SOCATA Service 
Bulletin (SB) 70-192-34.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires installation 
of a protection of the electrical wire at the standby compass 
connector.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received.

Request To Correct Fax Number

    Jeanne Da Costa of DAHER SOCATA stated that there is a 
typographical error in the fax number for the SOCATA office located in 
France. Currently, the fax number listed under the ADDRESSES section 
and in the Related Information section is +33 (0)5 62 41 7-54. The 
commenter states that the correct fax number is +33 (0)5 62 41 7654 and 
requests the correction be made in the final rule AD action.
    We agree with the commenter and have revised the final rule AD 
action to incorporate the correct fax number.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these 
changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or 
increase the scope of the AD.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 124 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $350 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $53,940 or $435 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more

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detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM (75 FR 50706, August 16, 
2011), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received and other 
information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 
647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in 
the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2011-23-03 SOCATA: Amendment 39-16854; Docket No. FAA-2011-0868; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-027-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 6, 
2011.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial 
numbers 148, 434 through 572, 574, and 576, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 34: Navigation.

(e) Reason

    The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    A TBM700 operator reported an occurrence where, as a result of 
handling the standby compass lighting bulb cover in flight, both 
essential bus bars (ESS BUS 1 and ESS BUS 2) failed, leading to loss 
of a number of instruments and navigation systems.
    The technical investigations carried out by SOCATA have shown 
that the cause of this occurrence was that the electrical protection 
of some TBM 700 aeroplanes is insufficient to allow in-flight 
handling of the standby compass lighting cover when energized.
    This condition, if not corrected, may compromise the ability of 
the pilot to safely operate the aeroplane under certain flight 
conditions due to the increase of workload.
    To address this unsafe condition, SOCATA have developed a 
modification which consists of installing a protection fuse on the 
wire at the standby compass connector, introduced by SOCATA Service 
Bulletin (SB) 70-192-34.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires installation 
of a protection of the electrical wire at the standby compass 
connector.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, within 6 months after December 6, 2011 (the 
effective date of this AD), install a protection fuse on the wire at 
the standby compass connector following the Accomplishment 
Instructions in DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 
SB 70-192-34, dated April 2011.

(g) FAA AD Differences

    Note:  This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on any 
airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2011-0130, dated July 8, 2011; and DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft 
Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-192-34, dated April 2011, for 
related information.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 70-192-34, dated April 2011, to do the actions required 
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) under 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 on December 6, 2011.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
SOCATA--Direction des

[[Page 67343]]

Services, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, France; telephone: +33 (0)5 62 41 73 
00; fax: +33 (0)5 62 41 7654; or in the United States contact SOCATA 
North America, Inc., North Perry Airport, 7501 South Airport Road, 
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 893-1400; fax: (954) 
964-4141; Internet: http://www.socatanorthamerica.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the referenced service information 
at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 24, 2011.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-27949 Filed 10-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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