[Federal Register: February 19, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 33)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7900-7902]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19fe03-3]
[[Page 7900]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-CE-43-AD; Amendment 39-13051; AD 2003-04-03]
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: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to all SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE (Socata) Models TB 9, TB 10,
TB 20, TB 21, and TB 200 airplanes. This AD requires you to
repetitively inspect the aileron control gimbal joint for correct
alignment and correct operation, and replace any misaligned or
defective gimbal joint. 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
failure of the aileron control gimbal joint. Such failure could lead to
loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on April 7, 2003.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of April
7, 2003.
ADDRESSES: You may get the service information 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 this information at the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-43-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington,
DC.
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:
Discussion
What events have caused this AD? The Direction
G[eacute]n[eacute]rale 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 is the potential impact if FAA took no action? 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.
Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to
include an AD that would apply to all Socata Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20,
TB 21, and TB 200 airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 15, 2002
(67 FR 69154). The NPRM proposed to require you to repetitively inspect
the aileron control gimbal joint for correct alignment and correct
operation, and replace any misaligned or defective gimbal joint.
Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not
receive any comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of
the cost to the public.
FAA's Determination
What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful
review of all available information related to the subject presented
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial
corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the
unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already
proposed in the NPRM.
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 does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD
affects 346 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the
initial inspection:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost per airplane Total Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours x $60 per hour = $120.. No parts required for $120 $120 x 346 = $41,520
inspection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has no method of determining the number of repetitive
inspections each owner/operator will 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 will be required based on the results of the
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that
may need such replacement:
[[Page 7901]]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 workhours x $60 per hour = $360.............. $469 $360 + $469 = $829
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulatory Impact
Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted
herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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, under 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
2003-04-03 SOCATA--Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-13051; 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:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actions Compliance Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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 27, dated April
April 7, 2003 (the 2002.
effective date of
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
found 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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
sections 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) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance
with Socata TB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 10-130 27,
dated April 2002. The Director of the Federal Register approved this
incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
You may get copies 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 copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri,
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 2002-
225(A), dated May 15, 2002.
(i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment
becomes effective on April 7, 2003.
[[Page 7902]]
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 6, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-3614 Filed 2-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P