Document ID: FAA-2017-0417-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: SOCATA Airplanes
Posted Date: 2017-05-08T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 87 (Monday, May 8, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21328-21330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09042]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 87 / Monday, May 8, 2017 / Proposed 
Rules  

[[Page 21328]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0417; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-008-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes that would supersede AD 2002-19-01. 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 the flight control wheel 
traveling beyond normal roll control limits and jamming in a position 
that could cause loss of control. We are issuing this proposed AD to 
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 22, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
SOCATA, Direction des services, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, France; phone: 
+33 (0) 5 62 41 73 00; fax: +33 (0) 5 62 41 76 54; email: 
info@socata.daher.com; Internet: https://www.mysocata.com/login/accueil.php. 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0417; 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) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, 
901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 
329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: albert.mercado@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

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-2017-0417; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-008-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://regulations.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

    On September 6, 2002, we issued AD 2002-19-01, Amendment 39-12881 
(67 FR 59137; September 20, 2002) (``AD 2002-19-01''). That AD requires 
actions intended to address an unsafe condition on SOCATA Model TBM 700 
airplanes and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country.
    Since we issued AD 2002-19-01, a revision to the service 
information was issued to provide instructions for replacement of the 
rivets in the roll primary stops as a terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD No.: 2017-0018, dated February 3, 2017 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    An event occurred in 2001 on an in-service aeroplane where, 
during a pre-flight check of the flight controls, the pilot control 
wheel jammed in full nose up and full left position after having 
exceeded the control stop of roll.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to reduced control 
of the aeroplane.
    Prompted by these findings, SOCATA issued Service Bulletin (SB) 
70-095-27 to provide inspection instructions.
    To address this unsafe condition, DGAC France issued AD 2001-
582(A) to require repetitive inspections of the flight control 
system after any maintenance operation on flight controls. That AD 
was later revised to update the list of affected aeroplane MSN.
    Since DGAC France AD 2001-582(A) R1 was issued, SOCATA issued 
Revision 2 of SB 70-095-27 to provide instructions for replacement 
of the rivets in the roll primary stops as a terminating action for 
the repetitive inspections.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD, which 
supersedes DGAC France AD 2001-582(A) R1, requires replacement of 
the rivets in the roll primary stops of the flight control wheels at 
the next maintenance operation on flight controls.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0417.

[[Page 21329]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    SOCATA has issued DAHER SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-
095, Revision 2, dated October 2016, which describes procedures for 
replacement of the flight control wheel primary stop rivets; and EADS 
SOCATA SB 70-114-27, dated December 2004, which describes procedures 
for installation of roll control emergency stops on the flight control 
wheel.
    SOCATA issued SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory SB 70-095 27, dated 
November 2001, approved for incorporation by reference on October 29, 
2002 (67 FR 59137; September 20, 2002), which describes procedures for 
testing the pilot and right-hand (RH) station control wheels for 
jamming and procedures for adjusting the roll control stops if jamming 
occurs.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this 
NPRM.

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 Service Information

    DAHER SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-095, Revision 2, 
dated October 2016, requires a modification that terminates any 
repetitive inspections and also gives credit for another modification 
that may have previously been done. We are retaining the repetitive 
inspection requirement from AD 2002-19-01 and allowing installation of 
one of the two different modifications as terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 203 products of U.S. 
registry.
    For inspection of the pilot and right-hand (RH) station control 
wheels we estimate that it would take about 1 hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of the inspection on U.S. operators to be $17,255, or $85 per 
product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
cost the following amounts. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.
    We estimate that it will take about 3 work-hours per product for 
any adjustment of the roll control stops if jamming occurs on either 
the pilot control wheel or the RH station control wheel. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this action on U.S. operators to be $255 per product.
    For replacement of the rivets in the roll primary stops we estimate 
that it would take about 3.5 work-hours per product to comply with the 
basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 
per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $10 per product. Based 
on these figures, for replacement of the rivets we estimate the cost of 
the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $307.50 per product.
    For the installation of a roll control emergency stop on each 
control wheel we estimate that it would take about 19.5 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $1,650 per product. Based on these figures, for installation of 
the roll control emergency stop, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $3,307.50 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 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2002-19-01, Amendment 39-12881 (67 FR 59137; September 20, 2002), and 
adding the following new AD:

SOCATA: Docket No. FAA-2017-0417; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-
008-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 22, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2002-19-01, Amendment 39-12881 (67 FR 59137; 
September 20, 2002) (``AD 2002-19-01'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial 
numbers 1 through 184, 186, 187, 189 through 204, 206, and 207, 
certificated in any category.

[[Page 21330]]

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by 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 the flight 
control wheel traveling beyond normal roll control limits. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent the flight control wheel from becoming 
jammed and leading to reduced or loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (3) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
October 29, 2002 (the effective date retained from AD 2002-19-01) 
and repetitively thereafter every time the flight control system 
undergoes maintenance, perform a test of the pilot and right-hand 
(RH) station control wheels to determine if either control wheel 
becomes jammed following SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service 
Bulletin (SB) 70-095 27, dated November 2001.
    (2) If any jamming is found during any test required by 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, adjust the roll 
control stops on either the pilot control wheel or the RH station 
control wheel following SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory SB 70-095 27, 
dated November 2001.
    (3) To terminate the repetitive inspections required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD either of the following actions may be 
done:
    (i) Replace the rivets in the roll primary stops of both control 
wheels following the Accomplishment Instructions in DAHER SOCATA 
Mandatory SB 70-095, Revision 2, dated October 2016; or
    (ii) Install a roll control emergency stop on each control wheel 
following the Accomplishment Instructions of EADS SOCATA SB 70-114-
27, dated December 2004.

(g) Credit for Actions Done Following Previous Service Information

    This AD allows credit for replacement of the roll primary stop 
rivets on an airplane as required in the option in paragraph 
(f)(3)(i) of this AD before the effective date of this AD following 
the instructions of SOCATA TBM Mandatory SB 70-095, original issue 
or revision 1.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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, 901 Locust, 
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; 
fax: (816) 329-4090; email: albert.mercado@faa.gov. 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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA AD No.: 2017-0018, dated February 3, 2017; 
SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory SB 70-095 27, dated November 2001, 
DAHER SOCATA Mandatory SB 70-095, Revision 2, dated October 2016; 
and EADS SOCATA SB 70-114-27, dated December 2004; for related 
information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2017-0417. For service information related to this AD, contact 
SOCATA, Direction des services, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, France; phone: 
+33 (0) 5 62 41 73 00; fax: +33 (0) 5 62 41 76 54; email: 
info@socata.daher.com; Internet: https://www.mysocata.com/login/accueil.php. 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 27, 2017.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-09042 Filed 5-5-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P