Airworthiness Directives; Daher Aerospace (Type Certificate Previously Held by SOCATA) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 233 (Wednesday, December 8, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69579-69581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26527]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0778; Project Identifier 2019-CE-062-AD; Amendment 
39-21834; AD 2021-24-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Daher Aerospace (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by SOCATA) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Daher Aerospace (type certificate previously held by SOCATA) 
Model TBM 700 airplanes. 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 a non-
conforming dump switch ejecting from its slot. This AD requires 
modifying certain dump switches. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 12, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 12, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Daher Aerospace Inc., Pompano Beach Airpark, 601 NE 10 Street, 
Pompano Beach, FL 33060; phone: (954) 893-1400; website: https://www.tbm.aero. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is also available at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0778.

[[Page 69580]]

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0778; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the 
MCAI, any comments received, and other information. The address for 
Docket Operations is 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Johnson, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone: 
(720) 626-5462; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered 
Daher Aerospace (type certificate previously held by SOCATA) Model TBM 
700 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 
14, 2021 (86 FR 51033). The NPRM was prompted by MCAI originated by the 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2019-
0306, dated December 18, 2019 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), 
to address the unsafe condition on certain serial-numbered Daher 
Aerospace (formerly SOCATA) Model TBM 700 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    It has been determined that, in certain conditions, an affected 
switch [dump switch part number 7388475012 without a seal] may eject 
from its slot. Investigations identified the root cause in a non-
conformity of the affected switch.
    This condition, if not corrected, could, in case of smoke/fumes 
in the cabin, prevent evacuation of the smoke/fumes, possibly 
resulting in excessive flight crew workload and/or injury to 
aeroplane occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, DAHER AEROSPACE 
issued the [service bulletin] SB to provide modification 
instructions.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
modification of the affected parts by installation of a seal, and 
introduces requirements for installation of a dump switch.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0778.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the 
NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Daher Aerospace Service Bulletin SB 70-271-21, 
Revision 1, dated November 2019. The service information contains 
procedures for modifying each dump switch part number 7388475012 by 
removing the two indicator light units, installing a seal, installing a 
thin layer of grease, and installing the two indicator lights. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 150 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA also estimates that it would take about 1 work-hour 
per airplane and require parts costing $800 to comply with the 
modification required by this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the inspection cost of 
this AD on U.S. operators to be $132,750 or $885 per airplane.
    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

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 airworthiness 
directive:

2021-24-13 Daher Aerospace (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
SOCATA): Amendment 39-21834; Docket No. FAA-2021-0778; Project 
Identifier 2019-CE-062-AD.

[[Page 69581]]

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 12, 2022.

 (b) Affected ADs

    None.

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Daher Aerospace (type certificate previously 
held by SOCATA) Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 1106 and 
larger, certificated in any category.

 (d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2130, Cabin Pressure 
Control System.

 (e) Unsafe Condition

    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 a non-confirming 
dump switch ejecting from its slot. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent dump switches ejecting from their slots, which, in case of 
smoke/fumes in the cabin, could prevent evacuation of the smoke/
fumes. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
excessive flight crew workload and injury to airplane occupants.

 (f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

 (g) Required Actions

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect 
each dump switch part number (P/N) 7388475012 to determine if a seal 
is installed, as depicted in Figure 3 of Daher Aerospace Service 
Bulletin SB 70-271-21, Revision 1, dated November 2019.
    (1) If a seal is installed, no further action is required by 
this paragraph.
    (2) If a seal is not installed, within 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD, modify the dump switch in accordance with 
steps (2) through (5) of the Description of Accomplishment 
Instructions in Daher Aerospace Service Bulletin SB 70-271-21, 
Revision 1, dated November 2019.

 (h) Parts Installation Provision

    As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a dump 
switch P/N 7388475012 on any airplane unless the switch has been 
modified as described in Daher Aerospace Service Bulletin SB 70-271-
21, Revision 1, dated November 2019. Removal of a dump switch from 
an airplane and re-installation of that dump switch on the same 
airplane within the same maintenance visit is not an installation 
for purposes of this paragraph.

 (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send 
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of 
this AD or email: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

 (j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Gregory Johnson, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, MO 64106; phone: (720) 626-5462; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2019-0306, dated December 18, 2019, for more information. You may 
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2021-0778.

 (k) 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 Aerospace Service Bulletin SB 70-271-21, Revision 1, 
dated November 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Daher 
Aerospace Inc., Pompano Beach Airpark, 601 NE 10 Street, Pompano 
Beach, FL 33060; phone: (954) 893-1400; website: https://www.tbm.aero.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
    (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, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on November 17, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-26527 Filed 12-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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