[Federal Register: November 15, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 221)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 69154-69156]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15no02-15]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-CE-43-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE Models TB
9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to all SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE (Socata)
Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 airplanes. This proposed
AD would require you to inspect the aileron control gimbal joint for
correct alignment and correct operation, and replace any misaligned or
defective gimbal joint. This proposed AD is the result of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness
authority for France. The actions specified by this proposed AD are
intended to prevent failure of the aileron control gimbal joint. Such
failure could lead to loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any
comments on this proposed rule on or before January 3, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-43-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments
electronically to the following address: 9-ACE-7-Docket@faa.gov.
Comments sent 1 electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2002-CE-43-
AD'' in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as
attached electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft
Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.
You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD
from SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-
Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930--F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone: 011 33 5
62 41 73 00; facsimile: 011 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. You may also view this information at
the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?
The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit
whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to
include the rule's docket number and submit your comments to the
address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all
comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this
proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating
the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we
need to take additional rulemaking action.
Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay
Attention To?
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that
might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view all comments we
receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules
Docket. We will file a
[[Page 69155]]
report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each contact we have with
the public that concerns the substantive parts of this proposed AD.
How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?
If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments,
you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard,
write ``Comments to Docket No. 2002-CE-43-AD.'' We will date stamp and
mail the postcard back to you.
Discussion
What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on all Socata Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB
21, and TB 200 airplanes. The DGAC reported an incident involving a
Model TB 9 airplane. During flight, the pilot experienced loss of
aileron control. Loss of aileron control resulted because the gimbal
joint became disconnected from the aileron.
The gimbal joint became disconnected from the aileron because the
safety pin broke. The cause of the safety pin breaking is being
investigated by the manufacturer. The result of the investigation may
result in a future design change.
What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the
aileron control gimbal joint. Such failure could lead to loss of
control of the airplane.
Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?
Socata has issued TB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 10-130
27, dated April, 2002.
What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?
The service bulletin includes procedures for:
--Repetitively inspecting the aileron control gimbal joint for correct
alignment and correct operation; and
--Replacing misaligned or defective gimbal joints.
What Action Did the DGAC Take?
The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
French AD 2002-225(A), dated May 15, 2002, in order to ensure the
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.
Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has
kept FAA informed of the situation described above.
The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of This
Proposed AD What Has FAA Decided?
The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC; reviewed all
available information, including the service information referenced
above; and determined that:
--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could
develop on other Socata Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200
airplanes of the same type design that are on the U.S. registry;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.
What Would This Proposed AD Require?
This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in
the previously-referenced service bulletin.
Is There a Modification I Can Incorporate Instead of Repetitively
Inspecting the Aileron Control Gimbal Joint?
The FAA has determined that long-term continued operational safety
would be better assured by design changes that remove the source of the
problem rather than by repetitive inspections or other special
procedures. With this in mind, FAA will continue to work with Socata in
collecting information and in performing fatigue analysis to determine
whether a future design change may be necessary.
Cost Impact
How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 346 airplanes in the U.S.
registry.
What Would be the Cost Impact of this Proposed AD on Owners/Operators
of the Affected Airplanes?
We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed initial
inspection:
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Total cost per Total cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost airplane operators
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2 workhour x $60 per hour = $120.... No parts required for the $120 $120 x 346 = $41,520.
inspection.
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The FAA has no method of determining the number of repetitive
inspections each owner/operator would incur over the life of each of
the affected airplanes so the cost impact is based on the initial
inspection.
We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of
airplanes that may need such replacement:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane
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6 workhours x $60 per hour = $469 $360 + $469 = $829.
$360.
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?
[[Page 69156]]
Regulatory Impact
Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?
The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposed rule would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
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) if
promulgated, 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 draft regulatory
evaluation prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE: Docket No. 2002-CE-43-AD
(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects
Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 airplanes, all serial
numbers, that are certificated in any category.
(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must
comply with this AD.
(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the aileron control
gimbal joint. Such failure could lead to loss of control of the
airplane.
(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Inspect the aileron Upon accumulating In accordance with
control gimbal joint for 300 hours time-in- the Accomplishment
correct alignment and service (TIS) on Instructions in
correct operation. the aileron control Socata TB Aircraft
gimbal joint or Mandatory Service
within the next 30 Bulletin SB 10-130
hours TIS after the 27, dated April
effective date of 2002.
this AD, whichever
occurs later.
Repetitively
inspect thereafter
at intervals not to
exceed 100 hours
TIS.
(2) Replace misaligned or Prior to further In accordance with
defective gimbal joints flight after the the Accomplishment
during any inspection inspection where a Instructions in
required in paragraph misaligned or Socata TB Aircraft
(d)(1) of this AD. defective gimbal Mandatory Service
joint was found. Bulletin SB 10-130
The inspection 27, dated April
requirements of 2002, and the
paragraph (d)(1) applicable
start over after maintenance manual.
each replacement.
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(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent
level of safety; and
(2) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate,
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, Standards Office.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific
actions you propose to address it.
(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Karl Schletzbaum,
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146;
facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
(g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under
Sec. Sec. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
(h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD?
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from
SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes-
Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930-F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone: 011 33
5 62 41 73 00; facsimile: 011 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. You may view these documents at
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust,
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 2002-
225(A), dated May 15, 2002.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 8, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-29004 Filed 11-14-02; 8:45 am]
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