Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE Models TB9, TB10, TB20, TB21, and TB200 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6638-6639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3230]



[[Page 6638]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-77-AD; Amendment 39-10316; AD 98-04-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA-Groupe AEROSPATIALE Models TB9, 
TB10, TB20, TB21, and TB200 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) Models TB9, 
TB10, TB20, TB21, and TB200 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the 
bolts and spacers of the upper attachments of the front belts for 
cracks, dents, etc. (damage); replacing any damaged bolts or spacers; 
incorporating a front belts upper attachment reinforcement kit; and 
reconditioning the belts. 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 
failure of the upper seat belt attachment caused by excessive loads on 
the upper attachment of the belt, which could result in bodily injury 
to the occupants during landing.

DATES: Effective March 24, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 24, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Socata-Groupe Aerospatiale, Socata Product Support, Aeroport 
Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930, 65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone: 
62.41.74.26; facsimile: 62.41.74.32; 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 information may also be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-77-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 Models 
TB9, TB10, TB20, TB21, and TB200 airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 7, 1997 
(62 FR 60189). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the bolts and 
spacers of the upper attachments of the front belts for cracks, dents, 
etc. (damage); replacing any damaged bolts or spacers; incorporating a 
front belts upper attachment reinforcement kit; and reconditioning the 
belts. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM 
would be in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 10-103 and 
Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 10-104, both dated June 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. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

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 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
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 320 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    Accomplishing this replacement will take approximately 3 workhours 
per airplane, at an average labor rate of approximately $60 an hour. 
Parts to accomplish this AD cost approximately $300. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $153,600, or $480 per airplane.

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:

98-04-03  Socata--Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10316; Docket 
No. 97-CE-77-AD.

    Applicability: Models TB9, TB10, TB20, TB21, and TB200 
airplanes, serial numbers 1 through 1701; 1707 to 1750; 1758 to 
1763; 1767, 1768, and 1769, 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

[[Page 6639]]

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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the upper seat belt attachment caused by 
excessive loads on the upper attachment of the belt, which could 
result in bodily injury to the occupants during landing, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the bolts and spacers of the 
upper attachments of the front belts for cracks, dents, etc. 
(damage), in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section 
of one of the following service bulletins, as applicable:
    (1) Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 10-103, dated June 1996, 
which applies to Socata Models TB10, TB20, TB21, and TB200 
airplanes, and Model TB9 airplanes equipped with upholstering on the 
upper duct posts.
    (2) Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 10-104, dated June 1996, 
which applies to Socata Model TB9 airplanes not equipped with 
upholstering on the upper duct posts.
    (b) Prior to further flight after the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, replace any damaged bolts or spacers found 
during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
    (c) Within the next 50 hours TIS after the effective date of 
this AD, incorporate either front belts upper attachment 
reinforcement kit No. OPT10 921000 or OPT10 920900 and recondition 
the belts in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section 
of the applicable service bulletin referenced in paragraph (a)(1) or 
(a)(2) of this AD.
    (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 Service 
Bulletin No. SB 10-103 and Service Bulletin No. SB 10-104, both 
dated June 1996, should be directed to SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, 
Socata Product Support, Aeroport Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930, 
65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; or Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road, 
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 964-6877; facsimile: 
(954) 964-1688. 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.
    (g) The inspection and replacement required by this AD shall be 
done in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 10-103, dated 
June 1996, or Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 10-104, dated June 
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, 
Socata Product Support, Aeroport Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930, 
65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; or 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 96-
142(A) and French AD 96-143(A), both dated July 17, 1996.

    (h) This amendment (39-10316) becomes effective on March 24, 
1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 2, 1998.
Carolanne L. Cabrini,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3230 Filed 2-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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