[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 25, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4216-4219]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-370]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0948; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-041-AD; 
Amendment 39-16575; AD 2011-02-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Model TBM 700 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for the products listed above. 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:

    Following the rupture of an alternator and vapour cycle cooling 
system pulley drive assembly, the AD 2008-0067-E was published to 
require the replacement of the pulley drive assembly by a new one of 
an improved design.
    Later on, cases of rupture of the alternator and vapour cycle 
cooling system compressor drive shaft and of cracks on the standby-
alternator and compressor support were reportedly found.
    Such failures could lead to the loss of the alternator and of 
the vapour cycle cooling systems, and could also cause mechanical 
damage inside the power plant compartment.
    To address this condition, the AD 2008-0129-E superseded AD 
2008-0067-E and mandates the removal, as a temporary measure, of the 
compressor drive belt and of the torque limiter, the conditional 
replacement of the pulley drive shear shaft, and repetitive 
inspections for cracks of the pulley drive assembly and of the 
alternator/compressor support.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 1, 2011.
    On March 1, 2011, the Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Service 
Bulletin SB 70-176, amendment 1, dated February, 2010, listed in this 
AD.
    As of October 8, 2008 (73 FR 54067, September 18, 2008), the 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of EADS SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin 
SB 70-161, amendment 2, dated July 2008, listed in this AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 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; telephone: +33 
(0)5 62 41 73 00; fax: +33 (0)5 62 41 7-54; or in the United States 
contact SOCATA North America, Inc., North Perry Airport, 7501

[[Page 4217]]

South Airport Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 
893-1400; fax: (954) 964-4141. You may review copies of the 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, ACE-112, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 28, 2010 
(75 FR 59658), and proposed to supersede AD 2008-19-06, Amendment 39-
15673 (73 FR 54067; September 18, 2008). That NPRM proposed to correct 
an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states that:

    Following the rupture of an alternator and vapour cycle cooling 
system pulley drive assembly, the AD 2008-0067-E was published to 
require the replacement of the pulley drive assembly by a new one of 
an improved design.
    Later on, cases of rupture of the alternator and vapour cycle 
cooling system compressor drive shaft and of cracks on the standby-
alternator and compressor support were reportedly found.
    Such failures could lead to the loss of the alternator and of 
the vapour cycle cooling systems, and could also cause mechanical 
damage inside the power plant compartment.
    To address this condition, the AD 2008-0129-E superseded AD 
2008-0067-E and mandates the removal, as a temporary measure, of the 
compressor drive belt and of the torque limiter, the conditional 
replacement of the pulley drive shear shaft, and repetitive 
inspections for cracks of the pulley drive assembly and of the 
alternator/compressor support.
    Revision 1 of the AD 2008-0129-E introduced an alternative 
temporary solution with the aim to restore the capability to make 
use of the air conditioning system. This solution consists in 
replacing the original pulley drive assembly by a time-limited 
assembly of a new design, corresponding to the SOCATA modification 
MOD 70-0240-21.
    A definitive solution has been released to production aeroplanes 
by implementation of SOCATA modification MOD 70-0243-21 or Service 
Bulletin (SB) 70-176-21 for in-service aeroplanes.
    This AD which supersedes EASA AD 2008-0129R1-E retaining its 
requirements, limits the AD applicability and requires 
accomplishment of the terminating action.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 66 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 8 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $0 per product. 
Where the service information lists required parts costs that are 
covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge 
for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected 
parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. 
operators to be $44,880, or $680 per product.

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 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; 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.

[[Page 4218]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-15673 (73 FR 
54067; September 18, 2008) and adding the following new AD:

2011-02-02 SOCATA: Amendment 39-16575; Docket No. FAA-2010-0948; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-041-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 1, 
2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-19-06, Amendment 39-15673.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to SOCATA TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 
(S/Ns) 434 through 509, 511 through 516, 519, 520, and 522 through 
525, certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 21: Air 
Conditioning.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    Following the rupture of an alternator and vapour cycle cooling 
system pulley drive assembly, the AD 2008-0067-E was published to 
require the replacement of the pulley drive assembly by a new one of 
an improved design.
    Later on, cases of rupture of the alternator and vapour cycle 
cooling system compressor drive shaft and of cracks on the standby-
alternator and compressor support were reportedly found.
    Such failures could lead to the loss of the alternator and of 
the vapour cycle cooling systems, and could also cause mechanical 
damage inside the power plant compartment.
    To address this condition, the AD 2008-0129-E superseded AD 
2008-0067-E and mandates the removal, as a temporary measure, of the 
compressor drive belt and of the torque limiter, the conditional 
replacement of the pulley drive shear shaft, and repetitive 
inspections for cracks of the pulley drive assembly and of the 
alternator/compressor support.
    Revision 1 of the AD 2008-0129-E introduced an alternative 
temporary solution with the aim to restore the capability to make 
use of the air conditioning system. This solution consists in 
replacing the original pulley drive assembly by a time-limited 
assembly of a new design, corresponding to the SOCATA modification 
MOD 70-0240-21.
    A definitive solution has been released to production aeroplanes 
by implementation of SOCATA modification MOD 70-0243-21 or Service 
Bulletin (SB) 70-176-21 for in-service aeroplanes.
    This AD which supersedes EASA AD 2008-0129R1-E retaining its 
requirements, limits the AD applicability and requires 
accomplishment of the terminating action.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) For airplanes S/Ns 434 through 459 only, unless already 
done, before further flight as of September 18, 2008 (the effective 
date of AD 2008-19-06), do the following actions following EADS 
SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-161, 
amendment 2, dated July 2008:
    (1) Remove the pulley drive assembly, the torque limiter, the 
compressor drive belt, and the alternator/compressor support.
    (2) Inspect for cracks the pulley drive surfaces and the 
alternator/compressor support welds.
    (i) If any crack is detected, before further flight, replace the 
pulley drive assembly following the accomplishment instructions in 
SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 70-176, amendment 
1, dated February 2010.
    (ii) Replacement of the assembly incorporates replacement of the 
pulley drive sheer shaft required by paragraph (f)(3) of this AD for 
airplanes with 30 hours time-in-service (TIS) or more with the 
torque limiter installed on the pulley drive shear shaft.
    (3) Replace any pulley drive shear shaft that has accumulated 30 
hours TIS or more with the torque limiter installed. This action is 
not required if you replaced the whole assembly per paragraph 
(f)(2)(i) of this AD.
    (4) Re-install the pulley drive assembly and the alternator/
compressor support, without re-installing the compressor drive belt 
or the torque limiter.
    (5) Insert EADS SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Alert Service 
Bulletin SB 70-161, amendment 2, dated July 2008, in the limitations 
section of the pilot's operating handbook and install on the 
instrument panel and in the pilot's primary field of vision a 
placard with the following text:

``AIR COND'' INOPERATIVE RECOMMENDED ``AIR COND'' SWITCH POSITION: 
``MANUAL''

    (g) For all S/N airplanes;
    (1) Within 100 hours TIS after September 18, 2008 (the effective 
date of AD 2008-19-06), and repetitively thereafter at intervals not 
to exceed 100 hours TIS, inspect for cracks on the pulley drive 
surfaces and the alternator/compressor support welds, following EADS 
SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-161, 
amendment 2, dated July 2008.
    (i) For airplanes S/Ns 434 through 459, the inspection required 
in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD is considered the initial inspection 
required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
    (ii) For accomplishment of the repetitive inspections required 
by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, paragraph C.2 of the accomplishment 
instructions of EADS SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Alert Service 
Bulletin SB 70-161, amendment 2, dated July 2008, does not apply 
since the torque limiter has already been removed.
    (2) If cracks are found during any of the inspections required 
in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before further flight, replace the 
assembly following SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 
70-176, amendment 1, dated February 2010.
    (h) At the next annual inspection or within 5 months after March 
1, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, 
replace the alternator/compressor support and pulley drive 
assemblies with P/N T700G215500700100 (alternator/compressor 
support) and P/N T700G215513500000 (Pulley drive assembly), 
following the accomplishment instructions of SOCATA Mandatory TBM 
Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 70-176, amendment 1, dated February, 
2010.
    (1) After March 1, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), do not 
install alternator/compressor support P/N T700G215500700000 and a 
pulley drive assembly P/N T700G215510000000.
    (2) Accomplishment of corrective actions as required by 
paragraph (f)(2)(i), paragraph (g)(2), or paragraph (h) of this AD 
terminates the actions required in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this 
AD.

    Note 1:  SOCATA SB 70-161, amendment 4, dated October 2009, has 
been published by SOCATA in order to close the range of airplane S/
Ns concerned by temporary actions.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (i) 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. 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.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Special Flight Permit

    (j) We are allowing permission to ferry an airplane to a 
maintenance location to accomplish actions required by paragraph (1) 
of this AD provided that the air conditioning is switched off during 
the entire flight duration.

Related Information

    (k) Refer to MCAI EASA AD No.: 2010-0130, dated June 29, 2010; 
EADS SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-161, 
amendment 2, dated July 2008; and SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft

[[Page 4219]]

Service Bulletin SB 70-176, amendment 1, dated February, 2010, for 
related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Service Bulletin 
Service Bulletin SB 70-176, amendment 1, dated February, 2010, and 
EADS SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-161, 
amendment 2, dated July 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Service 
Bulletin SB 70-176, amendment 1, dated February, 2010 under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) On October 8, 2008 (73 FR 54067, September 18, 2008), the 
Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of EADS SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft 
Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-161, amendment 2, dated July 2008.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
SOCATA--Direction des Services, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, France; 
telephone: +33 (0)5 62 41 73 00; fax: +33 (0)5 62 41 7-54; or in the 
United States contact SOCATA North America, Inc., North Perry 
Airport, 7501 South Airport Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; 
telephone: (954) 893-1400; fax: (954) 964-4141.
    (4) You may review copies of the 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.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    (3) You may review copies of the 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 4, 2011.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-370 Filed 1-24-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P