Airworthiness Directives; DAHER AEROSPACE (Type Certificate Previously Held by SOCATA) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 4, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8903-8906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02188]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2321; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00126-A; 
Amendment 39-22928; AD 2025-01-04]
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 (DAHER) Model TBM 700 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports of wear of the inner flap actuator drive nut. This 
AD requires cleaning and lubricating the internal actuator rods, 
measuring the play between the drive nuts and the internal actuator 
rods, and if any play is found, replacing the drive nuts. This AD also 
allows replacing the drive nuts with certain other design drive nuts as

[[Page 8904]]

terminating action for the requirements. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 11, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 11, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2321; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For Daher Aerospace material identified in this AD, 
contact DAHER, Customer Support, Airplane Business Unit, Tarbes Cedex 
9, France; phone: (833) 826-2273; email: daher.com">tbmcare@daher.com; website: 
daher.com.
    <bullet> You may view this material 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 (817) 222-5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2321.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Guerin, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 
231-2346; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain DAHER Model TBM 
700 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 
30, 2024 (89 FR 79485). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2013-0104R3, dated 
February 20, 2024, issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union (EASA AD 2013-0104R3) (also referred to as the MCAI). 
The MCAI states that wear of the inner flap actuator drive nut was 
detected, which could result in improper play between the actuator 
threaded rod and the drive nut with potential loss of flap control and 
consequent reduced or loss of control of the airplane.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require cleaning and lubricating 
the internal actuator rods, measuring the play between the drive nuts 
and the internal actuator rods, and if any play was found, replacing 
the drive nuts. The proposed AD also allowed replacing the drive nuts 
with certain other design drive nuts as terminating action for the 
proposed requirements.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2321.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the aviation authority of 
another country and are 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 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. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Daher Aerospace Service Bulletin SB 70-118 
Revision 3, dated December 2023. This material specifies procedures for 
cleaning and lubricating the internal actuator rods, measuring the play 
between the drive nut and the internal actuator rods, and replacing the 
drive nut.
    This material 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 will affect 807 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost    Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clean and lubricate left-hand      1 work-hour x $85              $0  $85.................  $68,595 per cleaning
 (LH) and right-hand (RH)           per hour = $85, per                                      and lubricating
 internal actuator rods.            cleaning and                                             cycle.
                                    lubricating cycle..
Measure the play for the LH and    1 work-hour x $85               0  85 per measurement    68,595 per
 RH drive nuts.                     per hour = $85, per                cycle..               measurement cycle.
                                    measurement cycle..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If, during any measurement for play, no discrepancy is found, 
operators have the option to replace the LH and RH drive nuts. If, 
during any measuring for play, any discrepancy is found, the LH and RH 
drive nuts must be replaced. Replacing the LH and RH drive nuts would 
be terminating action for the repetitive cleaning, lubricating, and 
measuring play. The FAA estimates the following costs for replacing the 
LH and RH drive nuts:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                  Labor cost                Parts cost      product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace drive nuts...........................  4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340..         $200            $540
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 8905]]

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 that 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:

2025-01-04 DAHER AEROSPACE (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
SOCATA): Amendment 39-22928; Docket No. FAA-2024-2321; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2024-00126-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 11, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to DAHER AEROSPACE (type certificate previously 
held by SOCATA) (DAHER) Model TBM 700 airplanes, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category, except those with DAHER Modification 
(MOD) 70-0777-27 installed during production.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2750, TE Flap 
Control System; 2752, TE Flap Actuator.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of wear of the inner flap 
actuator drive nut. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent wear of 
the drive nut threading on the internal actuator flaps. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in improper play between 
the actuator threaded rod and the drive nut, which could result in 
loss of flap control and consequent reduced or loss of control of 
the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Clean and lubricate the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) 
internal actuator rods in accordance with Paragraph C. in the 
Description of Accomplishment Instructions of Daher Aerospace 
Service Bulletin SB 70-118 Revision 3, dated December 2023 (Daher SB 
70-118) within the compliance times identified in paragraph 
(g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (i) Before the accumulation of 400 hours time-in-service (TIS) 
or 12 months, whichever occurs first, since the first installation 
of a LH and RH inner flap actuator, and thereafter at intervals not 
to exceed 400 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first.
    (ii) Within 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 400 hours TIS or 12 months, 
whichever occurs first.
    (2) Within the compliance time identified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) 
or (ii) of this AD, whichever occurs later, and thereafter, at 
intervals not to exceed 400 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs 
first, for each inner flap actuator, measure the play between the 
drive nut and the internal actuator rod in accordance with Section 
A, Paragraphs (1) through (9), in the Description of Accomplishment 
Instructions of Daher SB 70-118. Where Section A, Paragraph (3), in 
the Description of Accomplishment Instructions of Daher SB 70-118 
specifies ``With the help of a second operator'' this AD requires 
this action be performed by persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3.
    (i) 3,000 hours TIS since first installation of the inner flap 
actuator on your airplane.
    (ii) 400 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first since 
the last play measurement accomplished for that inner flap actuator 
in accordance with Section A, Paragraphs (1) through (9), in the 
Description of Accomplishment Instructions of Daher SB 70-118.
    (3) If, during any measurement required by paragraph (g)(2) of 
this AD, any play is found, as identified in Section A, Paragraphs 
(8)(b) and (9)(b), of the Description of Accomplishment 
Instructions, Daher SB 70-118, before further flight, accomplish the 
applicable corrective actions in accordance with Section A, 
Paragraphs (10) through (15) and (17), and Section C, Paragraph (1), 
in the Description of Accomplishment Instructions of Daher SB 70-
118. Where Section B, Paragraph (4), in the Description of 
Accomplishment Instructions of Daher SB 70-118, specifies to discard 
an old drive nut, this AD requires removing the old drive nut from 
service.
    (4) If, during any measurement as required by paragraph (g)(2) 
of this AD, no play is found, as identified in Section A, Paragraphs 
(8)(a) and (9)(a), in the Description of Accomplishment Instructions 
of Daher SB 70-118, before further flight, accomplish the actions in 
accordance with Section A, Paragraphs (13) through (15) and (17), 
and Section C, Paragraph (1), in the Description of Accomplishment 
Instructions of Daher SB 70-118.

(h) Terminating Action

    Replacing the drive nuts in accordance with Section B, 
Paragraphs (1) through (10), in the Description of Accomplishment 
Instructions of Daher SB 70-118, constitutes terminating action for 
all of the actions required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD, 
provided, after that replacement, no LH flap actuator having part 
number (P/N) 1-5295-B or RH flap actuator having P/N 2-5295-B is 
installed. Where Section B, Paragraph (4) in the Description of 
Accomplishment Instructions of Daher SB 70-118, specifies to discard 
an old drive nut, this AD requires removing the old drive nut from 
service.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    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, mail 
it to the address identified in paragraph (j) of this AD or email 
to: [email protected]. If mailing information, also submit information by 
email. 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.

[[Page 8906]]

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Fred Guerin, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231-2346; email: 
[email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Daher Aerospace Service Bulletin SB 70-118, Revision 3, 
dated December 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Daher Aerospace material identified in this AD, contact 
DAHER, Customer Support, Airplane Business Unit, Tarbes Cedex 9, 
France; phone: (833) 826-2273; email: daher.com">tbmcare@daher.com; website: 
daher.com.
    (4) You may view this material 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 (817) 222-5110.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on January 6, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-02188 Filed 2-3-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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