Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 117 (Monday, June 18, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36125-36127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12649]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0250; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-043-AD; 
Amendment 39-17063; AD 2012-10-14]
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 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 
installation of an incorrect part number during overhaul of the nose 
landing gear. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 23, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 23, 2012.

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 76 54; 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; email: [email protected]; Internet: 
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 March 9, 2012 (77 FR 
14314). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    A TBM 700 operator reported a case of rupture of the bolt 
attaching the actuator hinge axle on the NLG of the aeroplane. The 
results of the technical investigations carried out by SOCATA 
revealed that this rupture could have been caused by the 
installation of a bolt bearing incorrect Part Number (P/N) during 
overhaul of the NLG. Furthermore, the investigations led to identify 
the NLG part numbers identified by S/N which are potentially 
affected after repair or overhaul.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
partial disengagement of the actuator hinge axle on the NLG of the 
aeroplane, resulting in nose landing gear collapse, possibly 
resulting in structural damage to the aeroplane.
    To address this condition, SOCATA have developed Service 
Bulletin SB 70-194-32 which gives instructions for accomplishing 
repetitive checks of the bolt attaching actuator hinge axle on NLG 
and for replacing

[[Page 36126]]

the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle with a correct bolt P/N.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires accomplishment 
of repetitive checks of potentially affected NLGs and replacement of 
the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle with a serviceable bolt. 
This AD also prohibits installation on any aeroplane of a 
potentially affected NLG, unless the bolt attaching the actuator 
hinge axle has been replaced with a serviceable bolt and the NLG has 
been marked with a green varnish line.
    Following issuance of EASA AD 2011-0225-E, it has been 
determined that further NLG P/Ns and S/Ns are affected by this AD. 
SOCATA have developed an erratum to SB 70-194-32 amendment 2, which 
lists the new P/Ns and S/Ns as well affected by this AD.
    For the above reason, this AD, which supersedes EASA AD 2011-
0225-E, retaining its requirements, extends the list of NLG P/Ns and 
S/Ns affected by the AD requirements.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 14314, March 9, 
2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (77 FR 14314, March 9, 2012) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 14314, March 9, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 448 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would 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 would cost about $35 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $53,760, or $120 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some 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 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 the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

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, 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:

2012-10-14 SOCATA: Amendment 39-17063; Docket No. FAA-2012-0250; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-043-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 23, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes, all serial 
numbers (S/N), certificated in any category, equipped with one of 
the following landing gears:
    (1) Part number (P/N) D23766000 or D23766000-X, serial numbers 
(S/N) B001 through B373; B375; AR1000 through AR1023; AR1025 through 
AR1031; AR1033 through AR1036; AAB00000A through AAB13766Z; AAB00000 
through AAB13766; and EURXXX; or
    (2) P/N 21130-001-XY or 21130-000-XY, all S/N.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated 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 installation of 
an incorrect part number during overhaul of the nose landing gear. 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct installation of 
incorrect P/N NLG bolts, which if not corrected could result in NLG 
collapse with consequent structural damage to the airplane.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions using the 
Accomplishment Instructions of DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB 70-194-32, Amendment 2, dated November 2011, 
including Erratum, dated December 2011:
    (1) Although the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) MCAI 
allows the inspection of the NLG washer to be done by a pilot-owner, 
the U.S. regulatory system requires all actions of this AD to be 
done by a certified mechanic.

[[Page 36127]]

    (2) Within 5 flight cycles (FC) after July 23, 2012 (the 
effective date of this AD), inspect the installed NLG to determine 
if it is one of the affected P/Ns and S/Ns as listed in paragraph 
(c) of this AD.
    (i) If FC data is not available, the use of a one-to-one FC to 
flight hour conversion must be applied (example: 5 FC equal 5 hours 
time-in-service (TIS)).
    (ii) For the purpose of this AD, when an NLG P/N reference is 
followed by -X or -XY, the X or XY can be any numerical digit, and 
when an NLG S/N reference is EURXXX, the XXX can be any numerical 
digit.
    (3) If during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(2) of 
this AD, you determine the NLG installed is one of the affected P/Ns 
and S/Ns listed in paragraph (c) of the AD, inspect for free 
rotation the washer of the NLG. Repetitively thereafter inspect the 
washer of the NLG for free rotation before every flight until the 
replacement and landing gear marking required in paragraphs 
(f)(4)(i) and (f)(4)(ii) or paragraphs (f)(5)(i) and (f)(5)(ii) of 
this AD are done.
    (4) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (f)(3) of 
this AD, the washer of the NLG rotates freely, before further 
flight, do the following actions:
    (i) Replace the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle of the 
NLG with a serviceable bolt P/N 5101301111.
    (ii) Mark the landing gear with a green varnish line.
    (5) For the NLG P/Ns and S/Ns as listed in paragraph (c) of this 
AD, within 10 months after July 23, 2012 (the effective date of this 
AD), unless already done following a discrepancy identified during 
any inspection as required by paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, do the 
following actions:
    (i) Replace the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle of the 
NLG with a serviceable bolt P/N 5101301111 and;
    (ii) Mark the landing gear with a green varnish line.
    (6) Replacing of the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle of 
the NLG with a serviceable bolt P/N 5101301111 and marking the 
landing gear with a green varnish line terminates the repetitive 
inspections required by paragraph (f)(3) of this AD.
    (7) After July 23, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), do not 
install an NLG with P/N and S/N as listed in paragraph (c) of this 
AD, unless the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle of the NLG has 
been replaced and the NLG has been marked with a green varnish line 
following the requirements of this AD.

(g) 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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA AD No.: 2011-0235-E, dated December 13, 2011; 
DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-194-32, 
Amendment 2, dated November 2011; and Erratum to DAHER-SOCATA TBM 
Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70 194-32, Amendment 2, dated 
December 2011, for related information.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 70-194-32, Amendment 2, dated November 2011, including 
Erratum, dated December 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:
    (2) 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; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: www.socatanorthamerica.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the 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 May 17, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-12649 Filed 6-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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