[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 75 (Monday, April 20, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19384-19385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10180]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-42-AD; Amendment 39-10476; AD 98-08-27]
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 modifying the airplane's left-hand (LH) 
front side lower panel. 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 
interference between the side trim of the LH front side lower panel and 
the roll control compass on the LH wheel assembly, which could result 
in loss of directional control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective May 31, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 31, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Support Client/Customer Support, 
Aerodrome Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930, F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; 
telephone: (33) 62.41.73.00; facsimile: (33) 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 information may also be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-42-
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 5, 1998 (63 FR 5898). The NPRM 
proposed to require modifying the airplane's left-hand (LH) front side 
lower panel. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the 
NPRM would be in accordance with SOCATA Service Bulletin No. SB 70-061-
25, dated June, 1995.
    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 40 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $15 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $10,200 or $255 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:

98-08-27  Socata--Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10476; Docket 
No. 97-CE-42-AD.

    Applicability: Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 24, 26, 
27, 29 through 32, 34,

[[Page 19385]]

36 through 106, and all serial numbers equipped with modification 
MOD 70-019-25 or Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2786CE, 
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 within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent interference between the side trim of the left-hand 
(LH) side lower panel and the roll control compass on the LH wheel 
assembly, which could result in loss of directional control of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the LH front side lower panel in accordance with part 
``B. MODIFICATION'' of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of 
SOCATA Service Bulletin No. SB 70-061-25, dated June, 1995.
    (b) The instructions in this AD take precedence over part ``A. 
CHECK: DURING EACH PREFLIGHT INSPECTION'' of the ACCOMPLISHMENT 
INSTRUCTIONS section in SOCATA Service Bulletin No. SB 70-061-25, 
dated June, 1995.
    (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, Airplane 
Certification Service, 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.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to SOCATA Service 
Bulletin No. SB 70-061-25, dated June, 1995, should be directed to 
SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Support Client/Customer Support, 
Aerodrome Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930, F65009 Tarbes Cedex, 
France; telephone: (33) 62.41.73.00; facsimile: (33) 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.
    (f) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with SOCATA Service Bulletin No. SB 70-061-25, dated 
June, 1995. 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, Support Client/Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-
Ossun-Lourdes, B P 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on May 31, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 9, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10180 Filed 4-17-98; 8:45 am]
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