[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 78 (Tuesday, April 24, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20300-20302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7756]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27432; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-017-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE Model TB 9, 
TB 10, and TB 200 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from 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 new life limit for engine and Nose Landing Gear (NLG) mounts 
installed on EADS SOCATA TB 9, TB 10 and TB 200 airplanes, as 
defined in the updated Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of 
the relevant Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM).


[[Page 20301]]


The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 24, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.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 this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service 
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to 
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from 
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language 
principles.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
27432; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-017-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No. 2007-0034, dated February 22, 2007 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

* * * a new life limit for engine and Nose Landing Gear (NLG) mounts 
installed on EADS SOCATA TB 9, TB 10 and TB 200 airplanes, as 
defined in the updated Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of 
the relevant Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM).
    The MCAI requires:
* * * introduction of the new 10 000 Flight Hour life limit for 
engine and NLG mounts into the operator's maintenance program 
through the Revision 18 of the AMM.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE has issued:
    <bullet> SOCATA TB 9 Model Maintenance Manual, Original version 
dated September 1991, Revision 18, dated September 2006;
    <bullet> SOCATA TB 10 Model Maintenance Manual, Original version 
dated September 1991, Revision 18, dated September 2006; and
    <bullet> SOCATA TB 200 Model Maintenance Manual, Original version 
dated September 1991, Revision 18, dated September 2006.
    The actions described in this service information are intended to 
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Differences Between This Proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 146 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 0.5 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $5,840, or $40 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

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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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE: Docket No. FAA-2007-27432; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-CE-017-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by May 24, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model TB 9, TB 10, and TB 200 airplanes, 
all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 5: Time 
Limits.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

* * * a new life limit for engine and Nose Landing Gear (NLG) mounts 
installed on EADS SOCATA TB 9, TB 10 and TB 200 airplanes, as 
defined in the updated Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of 
the relevant Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM).

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, within the next 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD, incorporate the life limits in the 
Airworthiness Limitations documents presented in paragraphs (f)(1), 
(f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD into the FAA-approved maintenance 
program. This may be done by updating the Airworthiness Limitations 
Section of the Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM) and inserting the 
following applicable revision. The owner/operator holding at least a 
private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may do this action. Make 
an entry in the aircraft records showing compliance with this 
portion of the AD following section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
    (1) For Model TB 9 airplanes: Use SOCATA TB 9 Model Maintenance 
Manual, 04, Airworthiness Limitations, Original version dated 
September 1991, Revision 18, dated September 2006, or later revision 
that incorporates the same life limit for the engine mount and NLG 
mount as the above referenced Revision 18;
    (2) For Model TB 10 airplanes: Use SOCATA TB 10 Model 
Maintenance Manual, 04, Airworthiness Limitations, Original version 
dated September 1991, Revision 18, dated September 2006, or later 
revision that incorporates the same life limit for the engine mount 
and NLG mount as the above referenced Revision 18; or
    (3) For Model TB 200 airplanes: Use SOCATA TB 200 Model 
Maintenance Manual, 04, Airworthiness Limitations, Original version 
dated September 1991, Revision 18, dated September 2006, or later 
revision that incorporates the same life limit for the engine mount 
and NLG mount as the above referenced Revision 18.

FAA AD Differences

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

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Albert J. Mercado, Aerospace Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 
329-4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 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.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2007-0034, dated February 22, 2007; SOCATA TB 9 Model Maintenance 
Manual, 04, Airworthiness Limitations, Original version dated 
September 1991, Revision 18, dated September 2006; SOCATA TB 10 
Model Maintenance Manual, 04, Airworthiness Limitations, Original 
version dated September 1991, Revision 18, dated September 2006; and 
SOCATA TB 200 Model Maintenance Manual, 04, Airworthiness 
Limitations, Original version dated September 1991, Revision 18, 
dated September 2006, for related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 17, 2007.
Charles L. Smalley,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-7756 Filed 4-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P