Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale Model TBM 700 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30375-30377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14615]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-76-AD; Amendment 39-10559; AD 98-12-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale Model TBM 
700 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale (SOCATA) Model TBM 700 
airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the elevator trim tab fittings 
for cracks, and replacing any elevator trim tab found to have cracks. 
This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent cracks in the elevator 
trim tab fittings, which could result in separation of the elevator 
trim tab and loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective July 17, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 17, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-
Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930-F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone: 33-5-62-
41-76-52; facsimile: 33-5-62-41-76-54; or the Product Support Manager, 
SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road, 
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 893-1400; facsimile: 
(954) 893-1402. This information may also be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-76-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut Street, suite 
900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6934; facsimile: 
(816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain SOCATA Model 
TBM 700 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 12, 1998 (63 FR 7080). The NPRM 
proposed to require inspecting the elevator trim tab fittings for 
cracks using a dye penetrant method, and replacing any cracked elevator 
trim tab. Accomplishment of the proposed inspection and replacement 
would be in accordance with SOCATA TBM Aircraft Service Bulletin No. SB 
70-079-55, dated April, 1996.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given the 
three comments received from one commenter.

Comment No. 1: Number of Airplanes Affected

    SOCATA Group Aerospatiale (SOCATA), which is the manufacturer of 
the affected airplanes, states that the applicability of the proposed 
action is wrong. The proposed action will not affect all of the Model 
TBM 700 airplanes, and that the only airplanes affected are those 
airplanes with serial numbers 83, and 93 through 109. SOCATA also 
states that its most current records show that there are only seven 
affected TBM 700 airplanes on the U.S. Registry instead of the 16 
affected airplanes that the FAA estimates, which would reduce the cost 
impact projected in the NPRM.
    The FAA concurs. Since publication of the proposed action, this 
information has become available to the FAA by way of the manufacturer. 
The final rule will be changed to reflect the above serial

[[Page 30376]]

numbers in the applicability section. The final rule will also be 
changed with respect to the cost impact estimate, thereby reducing the 
total cost impact on the owners/operators in the U.S. fleet.

Comment No. 2: Change in Cost of Parts

    The manufacturer states that the cost of the elevator trim tab has 
changed from $200 to $2,100 because the trim tab fitting is built into 
a larger assembly. Removing just the cracked fitting from the elevator 
trim tab is impossible. Therefore, if cracks are found, the entire 
elevator trim tab assembly must be replaced.
    The FAA concurs. The final rule will reflect the change in the cost 
of the elevator trim tab assembly and the cost impact paragraph to 
reflect more accurate numbers. If no cracks are found in the elevator 
trim tab fitting, it is unlikely that cracks will occur at a later 
time.

Comment No. 3: Wrong Telephone and Facsimile Numbers

    SOCATA advises that the telephone and facsimile numbers published 
in the NPRM are wrong and should be changed accordingly. The FAA 
concurs and will change the telephone and facsimile numbers in the 
final rule.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
the changes mentioned above and minor editorial corrections. The FAA 
has determined that these corrections will not change the meaning of 
the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 7 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor rate 
is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $420, or $60 per 
airplane, for the inspection only.
    If cracks are found during the required inspection, parts cost 
approximately $2,100 per airplane. The FAA is unable to determine which 
of the affected airplanes inspected would have cracks; therefore, the 
cost of the parts would only be incurred by an owner/operator if cracks 
were found during the required inspection. The manufacturer has 
informed the FAA that one elevator trim tab assembly has been shipped 
to an owner/operator of one of the affected airplanes. The FAA is 
assuming that the assembly was installed. This would reduce the cost 
impact for the required inspection by $60, from $420 to $360.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

98-12-02 SOCATA Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10559; Docket No. 
97-CE-76-AD.

    Applicability: Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 83, and 
93 through 109, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent cracks in the elevator trim tab fitting, which could 
result in separation of the elevator trim tab and loss of control of 
the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect the left- and right-hand elevator trim tab fittings 
for cracks using a dye penetrant aerosol method in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions section in SOCATA TBM Aircraft 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 70-079-55, dated April, 1996.
    (b) If cracks are found, prior to further flight, replace the 
cracked part with one of improved design in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions section in SOCATA TBM Aircraft SB No. 
70-079-55, dated April, 1996.
    (c) No person may install an elevator trim tab assembly 
manufactured between January 1, 1993 and February 29, 1996, on any 
SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplane.
    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1201 
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be 
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate.
    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (f) Questions or technical information related to SOCATA TBM 
Aircraft SB No. 70-079-55, dated April, 1996, should be

[[Page 30377]]

directed to SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome 
Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930--F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone 
(33) 62.41.73.00; facsimile 62.41.76.54; or the Product Support 
Manager, SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North Perry Airport, 7501 
Pembroke Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone (954) 964-
6877; facsimile: (954) 964-1668. This service information may be 
examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    (g) The inspection and replacement required by this AD shall be 
done in accordance with SOCATA TBM Aircraft SB No. 70-079-55, dated 
April, 1996. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from SOCATA Groupe 
AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, BP 
930--F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; or the Product Support Manager, 
SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke 
Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023. Copies may be inspected at the 
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 
E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, 
Washington, DC.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on July 17, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 22, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14615 Filed 6-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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