Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21711-21713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08262]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-0068; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-037-AD; 
Amendment 39-18484; AD 2016-08-08]
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 superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 92-06-10 for 
SOCATA Models MS 880B, MS 885, MS 892A-150, MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 
893E, MS 894A, MS 894E, Rallye 100S, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 150T, Rallye 
235E, and Rallye 235C 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 fatigue failure of the nose landing gear wheel axle. We 
are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 18, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 18, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
0068; or in person at the Docket 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; phone: +33 (0) 5 
62 41 73 00; fax: +33 (0) 5 62 41 76 54; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: http://www.tbm.aero/. For the United States, 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-2016-0068.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, 
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 MS 880B, MS 
885, MS 894A, MS 893A, MS 892A-150, MS 892E-150, MS 893E, MS 894E, 
Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C 
airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 
15, 2016 (81 FR 2134), and proposed to supersede AD 92-06-10, Amendment 
39-8190 (57 FR 8063; March 6, 1992) (``92-06-10'').
    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 that:

    A nose landing gear (NLG) wheel axle rupture occurred in 
service. The results of the technical investigation revealed that 
this failure was due to premature wear.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
cracks in the axle and detachment of axle and wheel, possibly 
resulting in failure of the NLG with consequent damage to the 
aeroplane and injury to occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, DGAC France issued 
AD 91-163(A) (later revised twice) to require repetitive detailed 
inspections (DET) of the NLG wheel axle and replacement of the NLG 
wheel axle attachment screws in accordance with the instructions of 
SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) 150-32.
    Since DGAC France AD 91-163(A)R2 was issued, new findings led to 
an adjustment of the inspection interval. Consequently, SOCATA 
issued SB 150-32, now at Revision 3.

    The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2016-0068-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (81 FR 2134, January 15, 
2016) 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 (81 FR 2134, January 15, 2016) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (81 FR 2134, January 15, 2016).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Daher-Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 150-32, 
Revision 3, dated September 2015. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for inspection of the nose gear wheel axle. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 77 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 10 work-hours 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 $500 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $103,950, or $1,350 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take

[[Page 21712]]

about 3 work-hours and require parts costing $1,450, for a cost of 
$1,705 per product. 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-2016-
0068; 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 removing Amendment 39-8190 (57 FR 
8063; March 6, 1992) and adding the following new AD:

2016-08-08 SOCATA: Amendment 39-18484; Docket No. FAA-2016-0068; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-037-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 18, 
2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 92-06-10 Amendment 39-8190 (57 FR 8063; 
March 6, 1992) (``AD 92-06-10'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to SOCATA Models MS 880B, MS 885, MS 892A-150, 
MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 893E, MS 894A, MS 894E, Rallye 100S, Rallye 
150ST, Rallye 150T, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C airplanes, all 
serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(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 fatigue failure 
of the nose landing gear wheel axle. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct chafing and cracking of the nose gear wheel axle, 
which could lead to failure of the nose landing gear with consequent 
damage to the airplane and/or occupants.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(5) of this AD, 
including all subparagraphs. If the initial actions of paragraphs 
(f)(1), (f)(2), (f)(3), and (f)(4) of this AD have already been done 
before the effective date of this AD, then do the repetitive actions 
of these paragraphs at the specified times.
    (1) Do a detailed visual inspection of the intersection between 
the axle radius and the nose landing gear fork area for chafing at 
whichever occurs later in paragraph (f)(1)(i) or (f)(1)(ii) of this 
AD and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) following Daher-Socata Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 150-32, Revision 3, dated September 2015:
    (i) Upon accumulating 200 hours TIS since the airplane's first 
flight or 200 hours TIS since the last inspection required by AD 92-
06-10; or
    (ii) Within the next 50 hours TIS after May 18, 2016 (the 
effective date of this AD) or within 500 hours TIS since the last 
inspection required by AD 92-06-10, whichever occurs first.
    (2) Do a dye penetrant inspection on the nose wheel axle for 
cracks, distortion, and nicks or wear at whichever occurs later in 
paragraph (f)(2)(i) or (f)(2)(ii) of this AD and repetitively 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) following Daher-Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 150-32, 
Revision 3, dated September 2015:
    (i) Upon accumulating 200 hours TIS since the airplane's first 
flight or 200 hours TIS since the last inspection required by AD 92-
06-10; or
    (ii) Within the next 50 hours TIS after May 18, 2016 (the 
effective date of this AD) or within 500 hours TIS since the last 
inspection required by AD 92-06-10, whichever occurs first.
    (3) If any cracks or damage is found in any inspection required 
by paragraphs (f)(1) or (f)(2) in this AD, contact SOCATA for FAA-
approved repair or replacement instructions approved specifically 
for this AD and, before further flight, implement those 
instructions. Use the contact information found in paragraph (j) of 
this AD to contact SOCATA.
    (4) Replace the nose landing gear wheel axle attachment screws 
with new screws at whichever occurs later in paragraph (f)(4)(i) or 
(f)(4)(ii) of this AD following Daher-Socata Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 150-32, Revision 3, dated September 2015:
    (i) Upon accumulating 2,000 hours TIS since airplane's first 
flight or 2,000 hours TIS since last nose landing gear wheel 
attachment screw replacement with new screws; or
    (ii) Within 50 hours TIS since April 17, 1992 (the effective 
date retained from AD 92-06-10).
    (5) After May 18, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), a used 
nose landing gear or a used nose landing gear wheel axle may be 
installed provided it has been inspected and found free of cracks 
and/or damage and the nose landing gear wheel axle attachment screws 
have been replaced with new screws as specified in paragraphs 
(f)(1), (f)(2), and (f)(4) of this AD.

(g) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    This AD allows credit for the inspections required in paragraph 
(f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, if done before May 18, 2016 (the

[[Page 21713]]

effective date of this AD), following Daher-Socata Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 150-32, Revision 2, dated January 1994.

(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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2015-
0203, dated October 7, 2015; and Daher-Socata Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 150-32, Revision 2, dated January 1994, for related 
information. The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet 
at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2016-0068-
0002.

(j) 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 Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 150-32, Revision 
3, dated September 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For SOCATA service information identified in this AD, 
contact SOCATA, Direction des services, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, 
France; phone: +33 (0) 5 62 41 73 00; fax: +33 (0) 5 62 41 76 54; 
email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.tbm.aero/. For 
the United States, 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 view this 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-2016-0068.
    (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 April 4, 2016.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-08262 Filed 4-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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