[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67300-67302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33511]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-70-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Socata--Groupe Aerospatiale Models TB9, 
TB10, and TB200 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE (Socata) 
Models TB9, TB10, and TB200 airplanes. The proposed AD would require 
inspecting the main landing gear (MLG) support ribs for cracks, 
replacing MLG support ribs that have cracks beyond a certain level, and 
incorporating a certain MLG support rib reinforcement kit. The proposed 
AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent MLG failure caused 
by cracks in the support ribs, which could result in loss of control of 
the airplane during landing operations.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-70-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from the 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 also may be examined at the Rules 
Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201

[[Page 67301]]

Walnut Street, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 
426-6934; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned 
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 95-CE-70-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 95-CE-70-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain Socata Models TB9, TB10, and 
TB200 airplanes. The DGAC reports several incidents of the main landing 
gear (MLG) support ribs cracking on the above-referenced airplanes. 
These conditions, if not detected and corrected, could result in MLG 
failure with consequent loss of control of the airplane during landing 
operations.

Relevant Service Information

    Socata has issued Service Bulletin No. SB 10-085, Amdt. 2, dated 
April 1996, which specifies procedures for inspecting the MLG support 
ribs for cracks. Also included in this service bulletin is reference to 
certain MLG support rib reinforcement kits that should be incorporated 
on the Socata Models TB9, TB10, and TB200 airplanes, depending on the 
inspection results. The procedures for incorporating the modification 
kits are either in the technical instructions included with the kit or 
the maintenance manual.
    The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
DGAC AD 94-265(A)R4, dated June 19, 1996, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

The FAA's Determination

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above.
    The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC; reviewed all 
available information, including the service information referenced 
above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this 
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Socata Models TB9, TB10, and TB200 airplanes 
of the same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is 
proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require inspecting the MLG 
support ribs for cracks, replacing any MLG support ribs that have 
cracks beyond a certain level, and incorporating a certain MLG support 
rib reinforcement kit if cracks beyond a certain level are not found. 
Accomplishment of the proposed inspections would be in accordance with 
Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 10-085, Amdt. 2, dated April 1996. 
Accomplishment of the proposed kit modifications, as applicable, would 
be in accordance with either the technical instructions included with 
the kit or the maintenance manual.

Differences Between the French AD, the Service Bulletin, and This 
Proposed AD

    French AD 94-265(A)R4, dated June 19, 1996, and Socata Service 
Bulletin No. SB 10-085, Amdt. 2, dated April 1996, both give the 
owners/operators of certain Models TB10 and TB200 airplanes the option 
of incorporating a MLG support rib reinforcement kit or repetitively 
inspecting if no cracks are found in the MLG support ribs during the 
initial inspection.
    The FAA's policy is to provide corrective action that will 
eliminate the need for repetitive inspections. The FAA has determined 
that long-term operational safety will be better assured by design 
changes that remove the source of the problem, rather than by 
repetitive inspections or other special procedures.
    Because the incorporation of the applicable MLG support rib 
reinforcement kit on the affected airplanes eliminates the need for 
repetitive inspections, the proposed AD differs from the service 
bulletin and French AD in that it would mandate eventual incorporation 
of the applicable MLG support rib reinforcement kit.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 146 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD.
    Accomplishing the proposed inspection would take approximately 1 
workhour per airplane, at an average labor rate of approximately $60 an 
hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed 
inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,760, or $60 per 
airplane.
    The proposed modification would take approximately 1 workhour to 
incorporate the applicable kits on each wing (total of 2 workhours), at 
an average labor rate of $60 per hour. Parts cost approximately $1,200 
per airplane ($300 per kit; 2 kits per wing  x  2 wings per airplane). 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed 
modification on U.S. operators is estimated to be $192,720 or $1,320 
per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

[[Page 67302]]

    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) if promulgated, 
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 draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Socata--Groupe Aerospatiale: Docket No. 95-CE-70-AD.

    Applicability: Models TB9, TB10, and TB200 airplanes, serial 
numbers 1 through 9999, 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 (d) 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 main landing gear (MLG) failure caused by cracks in 
the support ribs, which could result in loss of control of the 
airplane during landing operations, accomplish the following:

    Note 2: The compliance times of this AD are presented in 
landings instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). If the number of 
landings is unknown, hours TIS may be used by multiplying the number 
of hours TIS by 0.67.
    Note 3: The paragraph structure of this AD is as follows: Level 
1: (a), (b), (c), etc.; Level 2: (1), (2), (3), etc.; Level 3: (i), 
(ii), (iii), etc. Level 2 and Level 3 structures are designations of 
the Level 1 paragraph they immediately follow.

    (a) For TB9, serial numbers (S/N) 1 through 1442 and 1444 
through 1574; and TB10,
S/N 1 through 803; 805; 806; 809 through 815; 820; 821; and 822, 
airplanes that are not equipped with either wing rib reinforcement 
kit No. OPT10910800 (TB9 and TB10 airplanes) or do not have 
reinforced ribs (TB10 airplanes), part number (P/N) TB10 11008001 
and P/N TB10 11008002, accomplish the following:
    (1) Upon accumulating 1,500 landings on the MLG support ribs or 
within the next 75 landings after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, inspect the MLG support ribs for cracks at 
all four locations (two per wing) in accordance with the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Socata Service Bulletin No. 
SB 10-085, Amdt. 2, dated April 1996.
    (2) If any cracks are found that are out of the tolerances 
specified in the maintenance manual, prior to further flight, 
replace the ribs with reinforced ribs, P/N TB10 11008001 and P/N 
TB10 11008002. Accomplish the replacement in accordance with the 
maintenance manual.
    (3) If any cracks are found that are within the tolerances 
specified in the maintenance manual, prior to further flight, 
incorporate wing rib reinforcement kit No. OPT10910800 in accordance 
with the maintenance manual.
    (4) If no cracks are found, upon accumulating 3,000 landings on 
the MLG support ribs or within the next 100 landings after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, incorporate wing 
rib reinforcement kit No. OPT10910800 in accordance with the 
maintenance manual.
    (b) For Models TB10 and TB200 airplanes, S/N 804; 807; 808; 816 
through 819; 823 through 1701; 1707 through 1733; and 1737 to 1761, 
accomplish the following:
    (1) Upon accumulating 6,000 landings on the MLG support ribs or 
within the next 75 landings after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, inspect the MLG support ribs for cracks at 
all four locations (two per wing) in accordance with the 
ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Socata Service Bulletin No. 
SB 10-085, Amdt. 2, dated April 1996.
    (2) At the applicable compliance time presented below, 
incorporate wing rib reinforcement kit No. OPT10 920100 in 
accordance with the Technical Instruction of Modification, OPT10 
9201-57, Reinforcement of the Main Landing Gear Support Ribs, which 
incorporates the following pages:

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              Pages                   Revision level          Date      
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1 and 2..........................  Amendment 1........  April 1996.     
3 through 27.....................  Original Issue.....  November 1995.  
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    (i) Prior to further flight if any cracks are found.
    (ii) Upon accumulating 7,500 landings on the MLG support ribs or 
within the next 100 landings after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, if no cracks are found.
    (c) 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.
    (d) 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to the service 
information referenced in this AD should be directed to the 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 service information may be examined 
at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City.

    Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 94-
265(A)R4, dated June 19, 1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 16, 1997.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-33511 Filed 12-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U