Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes, 17393-17395 [2014-06483]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 60 / Friday, March 28, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement
in this AD to obtain corrective actions from
a manufacturer, use these actions if they are
FAA-approved. Corrective actions are
considered FAA-approved if they were
approved by the State of Design Authority (or
its delegated agent, or the DAH with a State
of Design Authority’s design organization
approval, as applicable). You are required to
ensure the product is airworthy before it is
returned to service.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
(k) Related Information
Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA
Airplanes
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian
Airworthiness Directive CF–2014–11, dated
February 13, 2014, for related information.
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA–2014–0171.
(2) Service information identified in this
AD that is not incorporated by reference may
be obtained at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (l)(3) and (l)(4) of this AD.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
(IBR) of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 8–32–173,
Revision A, dated December 17, 2012.
(ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 8–32–176,
Revision A, dated February 22, 2013.
(iii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 8–32–177,
dated October 9, 2013.
(iv) Bombardier Service Bulletin 8–33–56,
Revision A, dated February 22, 2013.
(3) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., Q-Series
Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt Boulevard,
Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada;
telephone: 416–375–4000; fax: 416–375–
4539; email: thd.qseries@
aero.bombardier.com; Internet: https://
www.bombardier.com.
(4) You may view this service information
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For
information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221.
(5) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, call
202–741–6030, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March
19, 2014.
Ross Landes,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–06636 Filed 3–27–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:20 Mar 27, 2014
Jkt 232001
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2013–1019; Directorate
Identifier 2013–CE–038–AD; Amendment
39–17810; AD 2014–06–06]
RIN 2120–AA64
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for
SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes.
This AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) issued 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 landing gear
actuator rod and piston becoming
unscrewed during operation and the
landing gear actuator ball joint
becoming uncrimped. We are issuing
this AD to require actions to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 2, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of certain publications listed in the AD
as of May 2, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD
docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2013–
1019; or in person at Document
Management Facility, U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations,
M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
For service information identified in
this AD, contact SOCATA—Direction
des Services—65921 Tarbes Cedex 9—
France; telephone +33 (0) 62 41 7300,
fax +33 (0) 62 41 76 54, or for North
America: SOCATA NORTH AMERICA,
7501 South Airport Road, North Perry
Airport, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023;
telephone: (954) 893–1400; fax: (954)
964–4141; email: mysocata@
socata.daher.com; Internet: https://
mysocata.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.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
17393
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:
albert.mercado@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to add an AD that would apply
to SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes.
That NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on December 4, 2013
(78 FR 72834). That NPRM proposed to
correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products and was based on
mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) originated by an
aviation authority of another country.
The MCAI states:
During maintenance check, possible
unscrewing of rod and piston during
operation was detected on a landing gear
actuator. Investigation showed that this was
likely caused by maintenance operation not
conforming with the procedure described in
the SOCATA maintenance manual.
Moreover, following in-service landing
gear collapse, uncrimping of a right hand
main landing gear (MLG) actuator ball joint
was detected. Investigation revealed a
manufacturing non-conformity of some
actuator rod end assemblies.
These conditions, if not detected and
corrected, could lead to MLG or nose landing
gear (NLG) failure during landing or roll-out
and consequent damage to the aeroplane and
injury to occupants.
To address this potential unsafe condition,
SOCATA issued Service Bulletin (SB) 70–
197–32 to require a one-time inspection of
the landing gear actuator piston/rod and SB
70–206–32 to require a one-time inspection
of the landing gear actuator ball joint
centering and, depending on findings,
accomplishment of corrective actions.
SOCATA also developed modification 70–
0334–32, embodied in production to secure
rod/piston assembly through addition of a
pin and to reduce retraction/extension
indication failure through improvement of
switch kinematics. These modified actuators
have a new part number (P/N).
For the reasons described above, this AD
requires a one-time inspection of the landing
gear actuators piston/rod and ball joint
centering and, depending on findings,
accomplishment of applicable corrective
actions.
The MCAI can be found in the AD
docket on the Internet at: https://
www.regulations.gov/
#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-10190002.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. The
following presents the comment
E:\FR\FM\28MRR1.SGM
28MRR1
17394
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 60 / Friday, March 28, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
received on the proposal and the FAA’s
response to the comment.
Reference Correction Within the
Actions and Compliance Section
Catherine Herau of DAHER–SOCATA
requested we change the service
information references in paragraph (f)
of this AD in the Actions and
Compliance section to clarify the AD.
We agree with the commenter and
changed our final rule AD action to
reference the Accomplishment
Instructions section of the service
information rather than the specific
paragraph.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect
495 products of U.S. registry. We also
estimate that it would take about 2
work-hours per product to comply with
the basic requirements of this AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate
the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to
be $84,150, or $170 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any
necessary follow-on actions would take
about 3 work-hours for each main
landing gear and 3 work-hours for the
nose landing gear, and require parts
costing $100 for each rod and assembly.
We have no way of determining the
number of products that may need these
actions.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
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 AD will not
have federalism implications under
Executive Order 13132. This AD will
not have a substantial direct effect on
the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States,
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:20 Mar 27, 2014
Jkt 232001
or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify this AD:
(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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://www.
regulations.gov by searching for and
locating it in Docket No. FAA–2013–
1019; 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 the NPRM (78 FR 72834,
December 4, 2013), 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new AD:
■
2014–06–06 SOCATA: Amendment 39–
17810; Docket No. FAA–2013–1019;
Directorate Identifier 2013–CE–038–AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes
effective May 2, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to SOCATA TBM 700
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 the landing
gear actuator rod and piston becoming
unscrewed during operation and the landing
gear actuator ball joint becoming uncrimped.
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
discrepancies in the pistons/rods and the ball
joint centering of the nose landing gear and
main landing gear, which could result in
landing gear failure and lead to damage of the
airplane and occupant injury.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the actions in
paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(4) of this AD on
any airplane with the landing gear actuators
part number (P/N) T700A3230050000, P/N
T700A323005000000, or P/N
T700A323005300000 installed:
(1) Within the next 8 months after May 2,
2014 (the effective date of this AD), perform
a detailed visual inspection (DVI) of the
pistons and rods of the nose landing gear
(NLG) and left hand (LH) and right hand (RH)
main landing gear (MLG) actuators and
measure the distance following the
Accomplishment Instructions in DAHER–
SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70–
197, dated April 2013.
(2) Within the next 8 months after May 2,
2014 (the effective date of this AD), perform
a DVI of the ball joint centering of the NLG
and LH and RH MLG actuators and measure
the ball joint mismatch following the
Accomplishment Instructions in DAHER–
SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70–
206, dated April 2013.
(3) If any discrepancy is found during any
inspection required in paragraphs (f)(1) or
(f)(2) of this AD, before further flight, replace
the affected actuator or rod end assembly if
applicable with an airworthy part following
the applicable Accomplishment Instructions
in DAHER–SOCATA Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB 70–197, dated April 2013; and/
or DAHER–SOCATA Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB 70–206, dated April 2013.
(4) As of May 2, 2014 (the effective date of
this AD), do not install on any airplane a
landing gear actuator P/N T700A3230050000,
P/N T700A323005000000, or P/N
T700A323005300000, unless it is found to be
in compliance with the inspection
requirements of paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of
this AD. The landing gear actuator must be
installed when doing these inspections.
(g) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office,
E:\FR\FM\28MRR1.SGM
28MRR1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 60 / Friday, March 28, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
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: 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.
(h) Related Information
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD No.: 2013–0227, dated
September 23, 2013 for related information.
The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on
the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/
#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-1019-0002.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
(IBR) of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) DAHER–SOCATA Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB 70–197, dated April 2013.
(ii) DAHER–SOCATA Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB 70–206, dated April 2013.
(3) For SOCATA service information
identified in this AD, contact SOCATA—
Direction des Services—65921 Tarbes Cedex
9—France; telephone +33 (0) 62 41 7300, fax
+33 (0) 62 41 76 54, or for North America:
SOCATA NORTH AMERICA, 7501 South
Airport Road, North Perry Airport, Pembroke
Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 893–
1400; fax: (954) 964–4141; email: mysocata@
socata.daher.com; Internet: https://
mysocata.com.
(4) You may view this 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.
(5) You may view this service information
that is incorporated by reference at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA, call
202–741–6030, or go to: https://
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March
19, 2014.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–06483 Filed 3–27–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:20 Mar 27, 2014
Jkt 232001
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2013–1012; Directorate
Identifier 2013–CE–037–AD; Amendment
39–17807; AD 2014–06–03]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
We are adopting a new
airworthiness directive (AD) for British
Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream
Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201
airplanes. This AD results from
mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued 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 stress
corrosion cracking of the main landing
gear yoke pintle housing on a Jetstream
series 3100 airplane. We are issuing this
AD to require actions to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 2, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
of a certain publication listed in the AD
as of May 2, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD
docket on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2013–
1012; or in person at Document
Management Facility, U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations,
M–30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
For service information identified in
this AD, contact BAE Systems
(Operations) Ltd, Customer Information
Department, Prestwick International
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW, Scotland,
United Kingdom; phone: +44 1292
675207, fax: +44 1292 675704; email:
RApublications@baesystems.com;
Internet: https://
www.jetstreamcentral.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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
17395
Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–
4138; fax: (816) 329–4090; email:
taylor.martin@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to add an AD that would apply
to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft
Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream
Model 3201 airplanes. That NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on
December 3, 2013 (78 FR 72598). That
NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products.
The MCAI states:
An occurrence of Jetstream 3100 main
landing gear (MLG) failure after landing was
reported. The subsequent investigation
revealed stress corrosion cracking of the MLG
yoke pintle housing as a root cause of the
MLG failure. Degradation of the surface
protection by abrasion can occur when the
forward face of the yoke pintle rotates against
the pintle bearing, which introduces
corrosion pits and, consequently, stress
corrosion cracking.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead
to structural failure of the MLG possibly
resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane
during take-off or landing runs.
To address this potential unsafe condition,
BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd issued Service
Bulletin (SB) 32–JM7862 to provide
instruction for installation of a protective
washer fitted at the forward spigot on both,
left hand (LH) and right hand (RH), MLG.
For the reasons described above, this
AD requires installation of a washer to
protect the MLG at the forward face of
the yoke pintle. The MCAI can be found
in the AD docket on the Internet at:
https://www.regulations.gov/
#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-10120002.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to
participate in developing this AD. We
received no comments on the NPRM (78
FR 72598, December 3, 2013) or on the
determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and
determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD
as proposed except for minor editorial
changes. We have determined that these
minor changes:
• Are consistent with the intent that
was proposed in the NPRM (78 FR
72598, December 3, 2013) for correcting
the unsafe condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden
upon the public than was already
proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 72598,
December 3, 2013).
E:\FR\FM\28MRR1.SGM
28MRR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17393-17395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06483]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-1019; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-038-AD;
Amendment 39-17810; AD 2014-06-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for SOCATA
Model TBM 700 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 landing
gear actuator rod and piston becoming unscrewed during operation and
the landing gear actuator ball joint becoming uncrimped. We are issuing
this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 2, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of May 2, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
1019; or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
For service information identified in this AD, contact SOCATA--
Direction des Services--65921 Tarbes Cedex 9--France; telephone +33 (0)
62 41 7300, fax +33 (0) 62 41 76 54, or for North America: SOCATA NORTH
AMERICA, 7501 South Airport Road, North Perry Airport, Pembroke Pines,
Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 893-1400; fax: (954) 964-4141; email:
mysocata@socata.daher.com; Internet: https://mysocata.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.
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:
albert.mercado@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to add an AD that would apply to SOCATA Model TBM 700
airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December
4, 2013 (78 FR 72834). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products and was based on mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation
authority of another country. The MCAI states:
During maintenance check, possible unscrewing of rod and piston
during operation was detected on a landing gear actuator.
Investigation showed that this was likely caused by maintenance
operation not conforming with the procedure described in the SOCATA
maintenance manual.
Moreover, following in-service landing gear collapse, uncrimping
of a right hand main landing gear (MLG) actuator ball joint was
detected. Investigation revealed a manufacturing non-conformity of
some actuator rod end assemblies.
These conditions, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
MLG or nose landing gear (NLG) failure during landing or roll-out
and consequent damage to the aeroplane and injury to occupants.
To address this potential unsafe condition, SOCATA issued
Service Bulletin (SB) 70-197-32 to require a one-time inspection of
the landing gear actuator piston/rod and SB 70-206-32 to require a
one-time inspection of the landing gear actuator ball joint
centering and, depending on findings, accomplishment of corrective
actions.
SOCATA also developed modification 70-0334-32, embodied in
production to secure rod/piston assembly through addition of a pin
and to reduce retraction/extension indication failure through
improvement of switch kinematics. These modified actuators have a
new part number (P/N).
For the reasons described above, this AD requires a one-time
inspection of the landing gear actuators piston/rod and ball joint
centering and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable
corrective actions.
The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-1019-0002.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comment
[[Page 17394]]
received on the proposal and the FAA's response to the comment.
Reference Correction Within the Actions and Compliance Section
Catherine Herau of DAHER-SOCATA requested we change the service
information references in paragraph (f) of this AD in the Actions and
Compliance section to clarify the AD.
We agree with the commenter and changed our final rule AD action to
reference the Accomplishment Instructions section of the service
information rather than the specific paragraph.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 495 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours per product to
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate
is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S.
operators to be $84,150, or $170 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 3 work-hours for each main landing gear and 3 work-hours for
the nose landing gear, and require parts costing $100 for each rod and
assembly. 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 AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 AD:
(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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-
2013-1019; 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 the NPRM (78 FR 72834, December 4, 2013), 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 adding the following new AD:
2014-06-06 SOCATA: Amendment 39-17810; Docket No. FAA-2013-1019;
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-038-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 2, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to SOCATA TBM 700 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 the landing gear
actuator rod and piston becoming unscrewed during operation and the
landing gear actuator ball joint becoming uncrimped. We are issuing
this AD to detect and correct discrepancies in the pistons/rods and
the ball joint centering of the nose landing gear and main landing
gear, which could result in landing gear failure and lead to damage
of the airplane and occupant injury.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through
(f)(4) of this AD on any airplane with the landing gear actuators
part number (P/N) T700A3230050000, P/N T700A323005000000, or P/N
T700A323005300000 installed:
(1) Within the next 8 months after May 2, 2014 (the effective
date of this AD), perform a detailed visual inspection (DVI) of the
pistons and rods of the nose landing gear (NLG) and left hand (LH)
and right hand (RH) main landing gear (MLG) actuators and measure
the distance following the Accomplishment Instructions in DAHER-
SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-197, dated April 2013.
(2) Within the next 8 months after May 2, 2014 (the effective
date of this AD), perform a DVI of the ball joint centering of the
NLG and LH and RH MLG actuators and measure the ball joint mismatch
following the Accomplishment Instructions in DAHER-SOCATA Mandatory
Service Bulletin SB 70-206, dated April 2013.
(3) If any discrepancy is found during any inspection required
in paragraphs (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD, before further flight,
replace the affected actuator or rod end assembly if applicable with
an airworthy part following the applicable Accomplishment
Instructions in DAHER-SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-197,
dated April 2013; and/or DAHER-SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB
70-206, dated April 2013.
(4) As of May 2, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), do not
install on any airplane a landing gear actuator P/N T700A3230050000,
P/N T700A323005000000, or P/N T700A323005300000, unless it is found
to be in compliance with the inspection requirements of paragraphs
(f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD. The landing gear actuator must be
installed when doing these inspections.
(g) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Standards Office,
[[Page 17395]]
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:
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.
(h) Related Information
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.:
2013-0227, dated September 23, 2013 for related information. The
MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-1019-0002.
(i) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) DAHER-SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-197, dated
April 2013.
(ii) DAHER-SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-206, dated
April 2013.
(3) For SOCATA service information identified in this AD,
contact SOCATA--Direction des Services--65921 Tarbes Cedex 9--
France; telephone +33 (0) 62 41 7300, fax +33 (0) 62 41 76 54, or
for North America: SOCATA NORTH AMERICA, 7501 South Airport Road,
North Perry Airport, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954)
893-1400; fax: (954) 964-4141; email: mysocata@socata.daher.com;
Internet: https://mysocata.com.
(4) You may view this 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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 19, 2014.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06483 Filed 3-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P