81 FR 2134 - Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 10 (January 15, 2016)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for SOCATA Models MS 880B, MS 885, MS 892A-150, MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 893E, MS 894A, MS 894E, Rallye 100S, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 150T, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C airplanes that would supersede AD 92-06-10. 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 fatigue failure of the nose landing gear wheel axle. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2134-2136]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00320]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-0068; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-037-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
SOCATA Models MS 880B, MS 885, MS 892A-150, MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 
893E, MS 894A, MS 894E, Rallye 100S, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 150T, Rallye 
235E, and Rallye 235C airplanes that would supersede AD 92-06-10. 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 fatigue failure of the nose 
landing gear wheel axle. 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 February 29, 
2016.

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: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.tbm.aero/. For the United 
States, contact SOCATA NORTH AMERICA, North Perry Airport, 601 NE 10 
Street, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060; phone: (954) 366-3331; Internet: 
http://www.socatanorthamerica.com/default.htm. You may review copies of 
the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert 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-2016-0068; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-037-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 February 25, 1992, we issued AD 92-06-10, Amendment 39-8190 (57 
FR 8063; March 6, 1992) (``92-06-10''). That AD required actions 
intended to address an unsafe condition on SOCATA Models MS 880B, MS 
885, MS 894A, MS 893A, MS 892A-150, MS 892E-150, MS 893E, MS 894E, 
Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C 
airplanes and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country.
    Since we issued AD 92-06-10, new findings led to an adjustment of 
the inspection intervals.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2015-0203, dated October 7, 2015 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    A nose landing gear (NLG) wheel axle rupture occurred in 
service. The results of the technical investigation revealed that 
this failure was due to premature wear.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
cracks in the axle and detachment of axle and wheel, possibly 
resulting in failure of the NLG with consequent damage to the 
aeroplane and injury to occupants.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, DGAC France issued 
AD 91-163(A) (later revised twice) to require repetitive detailed 
inspections (DET) of the NLG wheel axle and replacement of the NLG 
wheel axle attachment screws in accordance with the instructions of 
SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) 150-32.
    Since DGAC France AD 91-163(A)R2 was issued, new findings led to 
an adjustment of the inspection interval. Consequently, SOCATA 
issued SB 150-32, now at Revision 3.
    For the reasons described above, this new AD retains the 
requirements of the DGAC France AD 91-163(A)R2, which is superseded, 
but requires these actions to be accomplished within reduced 
intervals.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-0068.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    SOCATA has issued Daher-Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 150-
32, Revision 3, dated September 2015. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for inspection of the nose gear wheel axle. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties

[[Page 2135]]

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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 77 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 10 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 $500 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $103,950, or $1,350 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 3 work-hours and require parts costing $1,450, for a cost of 
$1,705 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 39-8190 (57 FR 
8063; March 6, 1992), and adding the following new AD:

SOCATA: Docket No. FAA-2016-0068; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-
037-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 29, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 92-06-10 Amendment 39-8190 (57 FR 8063; 
March 6, 1992) (``AD 92-06-10'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to SOCATA Models MS 880B, MS 885, MS 892A-150, 
MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 893E, MS 894A, MS 894E, Rallye 100S, Rallye 
150ST, Rallye 150T, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C airplanes, all 
serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(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 fatigue failure 
of the nose landing gear wheel axle. We are issuing this proposed AD 
to detect and correct chafing and cracking of the nose gear wheel 
axle, which could lead to failure of the nose landing gear with 
consequent damage to the airplane and/or occupants.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (f)(5) of this AD, including all subparagraphs.
    (1) Do a detailed visual inspection of the intersection between 
the axle radius and the nose landing gear fork area for chafing at 
whichever occurs later in paragraph (f)(1)(i) or (f)(1)(ii) of this 
AD and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) following Daher-Socata Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 150-32, Revision 3, dated September 2015:
    (i) Upon accumulating 200 hours TIS since the airplane's first 
flight or 200 hours TIS since the last inspection required by AD 92-
06-10; or
    (ii) Within the next 50 hours TIS after the effective date of 
this AD or within 500 hours TIS since the last inspection required 
by AD 92-06-10, whichever occurs first.
    (2) Do a dye penetrant inspection on the nose wheel axle for 
cracks, distortion, and nicks or wear at whichever occurs later in 
paragraph (f)(2)(i) or (f)(2)(ii) of this AD and repetitively 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) following Daher-Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 150-32, 
Revision 3, dated September 2015:
    (i) Upon accumulating 200 hours TIS since the airplane's first 
flight or 200 hours TIS since the last inspection required by AD 92-
06-10; or
    (ii) Within the next 50 hours TIS after the effective date of 
this AD or within 500 hours TIS since the last inspection required 
by AD 92-06-10, whichever occurs first.
    (3) If any cracks or damage is found in any inspection required 
by paragraphs (f)(1) or (f)(2) in this AD, contact SOCATA for FAA-
approved repair or replacement instructions approved specifically 
for this AD and, before further flight, implement those 
instructions. Use the contact information found in paragraph (i) of 
this AD to contact SOCATA.
    (4) Replace the nose landing gear wheel axle attachment screws 
with new screws at whichever occurs later in paragraph (f)(4)(i) or 
(f)(4)(ii) of this AD following Daher-Socata Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 150-32, Revision 3, dated September 2015:
    (i) Upon accumulating 2,000 hours TIS since airplane's first 
flight or 2,000 hours TIS since last nose landing gear wheel 
attachment screw replacement with new screws; or

[[Page 2136]]

    (ii) Within 50 hours TIS since April 17, 1992 (the effective 
date retained from AD 92-06-10).
    (5) After the effective date of this AD, a used nose landing 
gear or a used nose landing gear wheel axle may be installed 
provided it has been inspected and found free of cracks and/or 
damage and the nose landing gear wheel axle attachment screws have 
been replaced with new screws as specified in paragraphs (f)(1), 
(f)(2), and (f)(4) of this AD.

(g) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    This AD allows credit for the inspections required in paragraph 
(f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, if done before the effective date of 
this AD, following Daher-Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 150-
32, Revision 2, dated January 1994.

 (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, 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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2015-
0203, dated October 7, 2015; and Daher-Socata Mandatory Service 
Bulletin SB 150-32, Revision 2, dated January 1994, for related 
information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2016-0068. 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: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.tbm.aero/. For the 
United States, contact SOCATA NORTH AMERICA, North Perry Airport, 
601 NE 10 Street, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060; phone: (954) 366-
3331; Internet: http://www.socatanorthamerica.com/default.htm. 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 January 5, 2016.
Kelly Broadway,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-00320 Filed 1-14-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P