AD 98-04-04

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain SOCATA - Groupe AEROSPATIALE (Socata) Model TBM 700 airplanes. This AD requires replacing the starter generator mounting adapter with a part of improved design. 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 loss of the starter generator caused by failure of the starter generator mounting adapter, which could result in loss of electrical power.

Final rule.

98-04-04 SOCATA - GROUPE AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-10317; Docket No. 97-CE-43-AD.

Applicability: Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 1 through 109, 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 (c) 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 25 hours time-in-service(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent loss of the starter generator caused by failure of the starter generator mounting adapter, which could result in loss of electrical power, accomplish the following:

(a) Replace the starter generator mounting adapter with a part of improved design by incorporating Socata Kit No. OPT70K0058-24. This replacement shall be accomplished in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 70-072, dated January 1996.

(b) 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.

(c) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

(d) Questions or technical information related to Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 70-072, dated January 1996, should be directed to SOCATA - Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Socata Product Support, Aeroport Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930, 65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; or Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 964-6877; facsimile: (954) 964-1688. 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.

(e) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in accordance with ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 70-072, dated January 1996. 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, Socata Product Support, Aeroport Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930, 65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; or 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 95-242(B)R1, dated February 28, 1996.

(f) This amendment (39-10317) becomes effective on March 24, 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 November 7, 1997 (62 FR 60184). The NPRM proposed to require replacing the starter generator mounting adapter with a part of improved design by incorporating Socata Kit No. OPT70K0058-24. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be required in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 70-072, dated January 1996.

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 55 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.

This replacement will take approximately 2 workhours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of approximately $60 an hour. Parts to accomplish this AD will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the owners/operators of the affected airplanes. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,600, or $120 per airplane.

Differences Between the French AD, the Service Bulletin, and This AD
French AD 95-242(B)R1, dated February 28, 1996, and Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 70-072, dated January 1996, both give the owners/operators of certain Model TBM 700 airplanes the option of replacing the starter generator mounting adapter immediately or inspecting this adapter for cracks every 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) up to 100 hours TIS, at which time the replacement is mandatory. This allows the owners/operators the option of having their airplanes inspected up to three times before mandatory replacement, provided no cracked adapters were found, which, if found cracked, would require immediate replacement.

The FAA has determined that, since the parts for the replacement are free; the parts are available; and the action takes less than 2 workhours to accomplish, 25 hours TIS will be adequate time to incorporate the replacement. This AD will require replacing the starter generator mounting adapter within 25 hours TIS, and will not allow the optionof repetitively inspecting every 25 hours TIS up to 100 hours TIS.

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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.

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