80 FR 33208 - Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 112 (June 11, 2015)

We are revising an NPRM for SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplaness (type certificate previously held by EADS SOCATA) that was proposed to revise AD 2007-04-13. 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 cracks found on the main landing gear cylinders. This action revises the NPRM by including the actions against those airplanes that reach a certain number of landings after the effective date of the AD. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) to correct the unsafe condition on these products. Since this action imposes an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on this proposed change.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 112 (Thursday, June 11, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 33208-33211]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13917]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-2047; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-013-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes

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

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of 
the comment period.

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SUMMARY: We are revising an NPRM for SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplaness

[[Page 33209]]

(type certificate previously held by EADS SOCATA) that was proposed to 
revise AD 2007-04-13. 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 cracks found on the main landing gear cylinders. This 
action revises the NPRM by including the actions against those 
airplanes that reach a certain number of landings after the effective 
date of the AD. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products. Since this action 
imposes an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are 
reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment 
on this proposed change.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 27, 2015.

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; 
telephone: 33 (0)5 62.41.73.00; fax: 33 (0)5 62.41.76.54; or SOCATA 
North America, North Perry Airport, 7501 S Airport Rd., Pembroke Pines, 
Florida 33023, telephone: (954) 893-1400; fax: (954) 964-4141; 
Internet: http://www.socata.com. You may review this 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. It is also available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2015-2047.

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-2015-
2047; 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 J. Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

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-2015-2047; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-013-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://www.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.
    The docket number and the directorate identifier of the NPRM (80 FR 
8821, February 19, 2015) is Docket No. FAA-2006-26235; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-065-AD. The NPRM docket number is different than the 
docket number of this SNPRM. The comment period for the NPRM closed on 
April 6, 2015; we received one comment in support of the NPRM.

Discussion

    We proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with an NPRM for SOCATA Model 
TBM 700 airplanes (type certificate previously held by EADS SOCATA), 
which was published in the Federal Register on February 19, 2015 (80 FR 
8821). The NPRM proposed to require actions intended to address the 
unsafe condition for the products listed above and was based on 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by 
another country.
    Since the NPRM was issued, we have determined that airplanes with 
MLG with forging body that had not reached 1,750 landings as of March 
23, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-04-13) were not affected by the 
AD. This is not the intent and allows airplanes to fly indefinitely 
with the unsafe condition. This supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) proposes to 
make those airplanes with MLG with forging body either at or under 
1,750 landings as of March 23, 2007, applicable to the AD in addition 
to extending the time between the repetitive inspections until a 
reinforced landing gear is installed, which terminates the repetitive 
inspections.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EADS SOCATA has issued TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 
70-130, ATA No. 32, dated January 2006, and SOCATA has issued DAHER-
SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-130, Revision 3, 
dated December 2014. The actions described in this service information 
are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. 
The DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-130, 
Revision 3, dated December 2014, incorporates procedures for replacing 
cracked MLG with a reinforced MLG as a terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections. 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.
    Certain changes described above expand the scope of the NPRM. As a 
result, we have determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment 
period to provide additional opportunity for the public to comment on 
the SNPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 431 products of U.S. 
registry.

[[Page 33210]]

We also estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours 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 proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $109,905, or $255 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 4 work-hours and require parts costing $6,000, for a cost of 
$6,340 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

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 Amendment 39-14945 (72 FR 
7576, February 16, 2007), and adding the following new AD:

SOCATA (type certificate previously held by EADS SOCATA): Docket No. 
FAA-2015-2047; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-013-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 27, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2007-04-13, Amendment 39-14945, (72 FR 
7576, February 16, 2007) (``AD 2007-04-13'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial 
numbers 1 through 638 and 687, that:
    (1) are not equipped with a left-hand main landing gear (MLG) 
body part number (P/N) D68161 or D68161-1 and a right-hand MLG body 
P/N D68162 or D68162-1; and
    (2) are certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted 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 and the FAA's determination to add additional airplanes to 
the Applicability section. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct cracks in the shock strut cylinder of the MLG, which could 
cause the MLG to fail, and to add airplanes to the Applicability 
section. Failure of the shock strut cylinder of the MLG could result 
in a collapsed MLG during takeoff or landing and possible reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane. We are superseding AD 2007-04-
13 to add airplanes to the Applicability section, increase the time 
between the repetitive inspections, and incorporate a modification 
to terminate the required repetitive inspections.

(f) Actions and Compliance for Airplanes not Previously Affected by AD 
2007-04-13

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1), 
(f)(2), and (h) of this AD:
    (1) As of March 23, 2007 (the effective date of AD 2007-04-13), 
for MLG with forging body that were either at or under 1,750 
landings as of March 23, 2007 (the effective date of (AD 2007-04-
13): Upon or before accumulating 1,750 landings on the MLG with 
forging body since new or within the next 100 landings after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, inspect the 
forging body for cracks. Do the inspection following the 
Accomplishment Instructions of EADS SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB 70-130, dated January 2006, or DAHER-SOCATA TBM 
Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-130, Revision 3, dated 
December 2014.
    (2) If no cracks are detected during the inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, repetitively thereafter inspect at 
intervals not to exceed 240 landings until a reinforced landing gear 
specified in paragraph E. Terminating Solution of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 
SB 70-130, Revision 3, dated December 2014, is installed.

(g) Actions and Compliance for Airplanes Previously Affected by AD 
2007-04-13

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (g)(1), 
(g)(2), and (h) of this AD, including all subparagraphs:
    (1) As of March 23, 2007 (the effective date retained from AD 
2007-04-13), for MLG with forging body totaling more than 1,750 
landings but less than 3,501 landings since new:
    (i) Inspect the forging body for cracks within 100 landings 
after March 23, 2007 (the effective date retained from AD 2007-04-
13), following the Accomplishment Instructions of EADS SOCATA TBM 
Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-130, dated January 2006, 
or DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-130, 
Revision 3, dated December 2014.
    (ii) If no cracks are detected during the inspection required in 
paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this AD, repetitively thereafter inspect at 
intervals not to exceed 240 landings until a reinforced landing gear 
specified in paragraph E. Terminating Solution of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 
SB 70-130, Revision 3, dated December 2014, is installed.
    (2) As of March 23, 2007 (the effective date retained from AD 
2007-04-13), for MLG with forging body totaling more than 3,500 
landings since new:
    (i) Inspect the forging body for cracks within 25 landings after 
March 23, 2007 (the effective date retained from AD 2007-04-13), 
following the Accomplishment Instructions of EADS SOCATA TBM 
Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-130, dated January 2006, 
or DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-130, 
Revision 3, dated December 2014.
    (ii) If no cracks are detected during the inspection required in 
paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD, repetitively thereafter inspect at

[[Page 33211]]

intervals not to exceed 240 landings until a reinforced landing gear 
specified in paragraph E. Terminating Solution of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 
SB 70-130, Revision 3, dated December 2014, is installed.

(h) Actions and Compliance for All Affected Airplanes

    If any cracks are detected during any inspection required in 
paragraphs (f)(1) through (g)(2) of this AD, including all 
subparagraphs:
    (1) Before further flight, remove the affected landing gear leg 
and confirm the presence of the crack with dye penetrant inspection 
or fluorescent penetrant inspection.
    (2) If the crack is confirmed, before further flight, contact 
SOCATA at the address in paragraph (k) of this AD to coordinate the 
FAA-approved landing gear repair/replacement and implement any FAA-
approved repair/replacement instructions obtained from SOCATA, or 
replace the cracked landing gear with a reinforced landing gear 
specified in paragraph E. Terminating Solution of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 
SB 70-130, Revision 3, dated December 2014. This replacement 
terminates the repetitive inspections required by this AD.

(i) Calculating Unknown Number of Landings for Compliance

    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 dividing the number of hours TIS 
by 1.35.

(j) 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 J. Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: [email protected]. 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.

(k) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2006-0085R2, dated January 16, 2015. You may examine the MCAI on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2006-26235. For service information related to this 
AD, contact SOCATA, Direction des Services, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, 
France; telephone: 33 (0)5 62.41.73.00; fax: 33 (0)5 62.41.76.54; or 
SOCATA North America, North Perry Airport, 7501 S Airport Rd., 
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023, telephone: (954) 893-1400; fax: (954) 
964-4141; Internet: http://www.socata.com. You may view this 
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 June 1, 2015.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-13917 Filed 6-10-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P