AD 98-24-04

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain SOCATA - Groupe AEROSPATIALE (SOCATA) Model TBM 700 airplanes. This AD requires repetitively inspecting (using visual methods) the web of the left and right flap carriage for cracks, and replacing any cracked flap carriage with one of improved design. The proposed 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 detect and correct cracks in a flap carriage, which could result in loss of the flap function with consequent reduced and/or loss of airplane control.

Final rule.

98-24-04 SOCATA - GROUPE AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-10890; Docket No. 95-CE-65-AD.

Applicability: Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 1 through 92, 97, and 98, 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 detect and correct cracks in a flap carriage, which could result in loss of the flap function with consequent reduced and/or loss of airplane control, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, inspect (using visual methods) the web of the left and right flap carriages (both the inboard and outboard carriages) for cracks. Accomplish these inspections in accordance with SOCATA Service Bulletin SB 70-048 57, Amendment 1, dated January 1995.

(b) If any cracked flap carriage is found during any inspection required by this AD, prior to further flight, replace it with a carriage of improved design. Accomplish this replacement in accordance with Chapter 57-50-03 of the applicable maintenance manual. The parts necessary are referenced in SOCATA Service Bulletin SB 70-048 57, Amendment 1, dated January 1995, andare available from Socata at the address referenced in paragraph (e) of this AD.

(1) Repetitive inspections will no longer be required on those flap carriages replaced with improved design parts.

(2) Flap carriages may be replaced with improved design parts at any time (but must immediately be replaced if found cracked), as terminating action for the repetitive inspections of this AD.

(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 initial or repetitive compliance times 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 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 SB 70-048 57, Amendment 1, dated January 1995, should be directed to SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930-F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone: (33) 5.62.41.76.52; facsimile: (33) 5.62.41.76.54; or the Product Support Manager, SOCATA - Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 893-1400; facsimile: (954) 964-4141. 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 64106.

(f) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in accordance with SOCATA Service Bulletin SB 70-048 57, Amendment 1, dated January 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, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, BP 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.

NOTE 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 94-110(B)R1, dated March 15, 1995.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on December 28,1998.

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 September 18, 1998 (63 FR 49881). The NPRM proposed to require repetitively inspecting (using visual methods) the web of the left and right flap carriage for cracks, and replacing any cracked flap carriage with one of improved design. The proposed repetitive inspections would no longer be required on those flap carriages replaced with improved design parts.

Accomplishment of the proposed inspections as specified in the NPRM would be required in accordance with SOCATA Service Bulletin SB 70-048 57, Amendment 1, dated January 1995. The replacements, if necessary, would be accomplished in accordance with Chapter 57-50-03 of the applicable maintenance manual. The parts necessary are referenced in the service bulletin and are available from the manufacturer.

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 44 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 workhours per airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the initial inspections specified in this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,920, or $180 per airplane.

These figures only take into account the costs of the initial inspection and do not take into account the costs of any repetitive inspections or the costs of replacing any flap carriage found cracked. The FAA has no way of determining the number of repetitive inspections each owner/operator will incur over the life of the affected airplanes; or the number of flap carriages that will be found cracked during the inspections and need to be replaced.

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 AmendmentAccordingly, 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.

39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: