Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 228 (Friday, November 27, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 73955-73957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29876]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3642; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-028-AD; 
Amendment 39-18335; AD 2015-24-03]
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 SOCATA 
Model TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 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 corrosion of the horizontal stabilizer. We are issuing 
this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 4, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of January 4, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3642; 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 NORTH 
AMERICA, North Perry Airport, 601 NE 10 Street, Pompano Beach, Florida 
33060; phone: (954) 366-3331; Internet: http://www.socatanorthamerica.com/default.htm. You may view this 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. It is also available on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. 
FAA-2015-3642.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert J. 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 by adding an AD that would apply to SOCATA Models TB 9, TB 10, 
TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on August 28, 2015 (80 FR 52215). The NPRM proposed to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products and was based on 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an 
aviation authority of another country. The MCAI states:

    During accomplishment of SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) SB10-152-
55 at original issue, some operators reported finding heavy 
corrosion of the horizontal stabilizer (HS) spar.
    The results of the technical investigation have identified that 
the corrosion was caused by humidity ingress in the HS on aeroplanes 
subject to severe environmental conditions.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
buckling and permanent HS distortion, possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, SOCATA issued SB 10-152-55 
Revision 1 to provide instructions for inspection and corrective 
action.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive 
inspections of the affected area of the HS and, depending on 
findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-3642-0001.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request

    Anthony Pynes commented that that he does not believe the 
methodology used and the foundational data available supports the need 
for this AD, and thus he believes that this AD is not necessary.
    We do not agree. The FAA, in working with the State of Design 
airworthiness authority (EASA), determined that the actions of this AD 
on the horizontal stabilizer of the affected airplanes are necessary to 
correct an unsafe condition. Included in this is the risk in 
establishing such actions at the required compliance times. No changes 
to the AD have been made based on this comment.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, 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 (80 FR 52215, August 28, 2015) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 52215, August 28, 2015).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed DAHER-SOCATA TB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 
10-152, Amendment 1, dated April 2015. The service information 
describes procedures for inspection for corrosion on the horizontal 
stabilizer spar and repair, if necessary. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
the ADDRESSES section of the AD.

[[Page 73956]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 195 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $33,150, or $170 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 15 to 38 work-hours and require parts costing $250 to $400 
depending on the type of repair, for a cost of $2,325 to $4,280 per 
product. The cost may vary depending on the extent of damage found. We 
have no way of determining the number of products that may need these 
actions.

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3642; 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:

2015-24-03 SOCATA: Amendment 39-18335; Docket No. FAA-2015-3642; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-028-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 4, 
2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to SOCATA Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and 
TB 200 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers, certificated in 
any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 55: Stabilizers.

(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 corrosion of the 
horizontal stabilizer. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
corrosion of the horizontal stabilizer (HS) spar, which could result 
in buckling and permanent HS distortion, possibly resulting in 
reduced control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through 
(f)(5) of this AD:
    (1) Within 13 months after January 4, 2016 (the effective date 
of this AD) and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
72 months, do a special detailed inspection of the HS spar following 
the instructions of DAHER-SOCATA TB Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 10-152, Amendment 1, dated April 2015.
    (2) If no discrepancy is detected during any inspections 
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, protect the HS spar 
following the instructions of DAHER-SOCATA TB Aircraft Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB 10-152, Amendment 1, dated April 2015.
    (3) If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection 
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, do 
the applicable corrective action(s) following the instructions of 
DAHER-SOCATA TB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 10-152, 
Amendment 1, dated April 2015.
    (4) Accomplishment of protection or corrective actions on an 
airplane as required by paragraph (f)(2) or (f)(3) of this AD, as 
applicable, does not constitute terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections as required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD 
for that airplane.
    (5) Inspections and corrective actions on an airplane done 
before January 4, 2016 (the effective date of this AD) following the 
instructions of DAHER-SOCATA TB Aircraft Recommended Service 
Bulletin SB 10-152, dated May 2013, are acceptable to comply with 
the requirements of this AD for that airplane. After January 4, 2016 
(the effective date of this AD), repetitive inspections and 
applicable corrective actions, as required by this AD, must be done 
as required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD following the 
instructions of DAHER-SOCATA TB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 
SB 10-152, Amendment 1, dated April 2015.

(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

[[Page 73957]]

(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2015-0130, dated July 7, 2015; and DAHER-SOCATA TB Aircraft 
Recommended Service Bulletin SB 10-152, dated May 2013, for related 
information. The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet 
at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-3642-
0001.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) DAHER-SOCATA TB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 10-
152, Amendment 1, dated April 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For SOCATA service information identified in this AD, 
contact SOCATA NORTH AMERICA, North Perry Airport, 601 NE 10 Street, 
Pompano Beach, Florida 33060; phone: (954) 366-3331; Internet: 
http://www.socatanorthamerica.com/default.htm.
    (4) You may review this 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. In addition, you can access this service 
information on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-3642.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 17, 2015.
Melvin Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-29876 Filed 11-25-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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