[Federal Register: January 22, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 13)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 2606-2608]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22ja07-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26236 Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-66-AD;
Amendment 39-14891; AD 2007-02-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA-Groupe Aerospatiale TB 20 and TB
21 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. 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 reports of
interference between the wing spar lower boom and the wheel fairing
attaching screw. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective February 26, 2007.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of February 26,
2007.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Streamlined Issuance of AD
The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance
of ADs related to MCAI. The streamlined process will allow us to adopt
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this
reason might not follow our plain language principles.
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 22, 2006
(71 FR 67506). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for
the specified products. The MCAI states that there are reports of
interference between the wing spar lower boom and the wheel fairing
attaching screw causing an unsafe condition. The interference could, if
left uncorrected, reduce the fatigue life of the wing spar with
potentially catastrophic results.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We have considered the comment received.
Comment Issue: Cost of Compliance
EADS SOCATA states:
Application of SB10-148-57 does not require specific part. So,
the cost is negligible. EADS SOCATA estimates that it would take 1
work-hour to inspect and displace the screw. If repair is necessary,
the cost depends on the damage.
Our cost estimate included both the inspection and screw
displacement costs as well as repair costs. We developed the repair
cost estimate based on the information provided and assumed the worst
case scenario if a repair was required. Since EADS SOCATA did not
provide an estimate (work-hours or parts cost) if a repair is required
and the FAA is required to provide this estimate to the public, we are
keeping the language the same as the NPRM to account for worst case
repair situations.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the
AD as proposed.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have required different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
described in a separate paragraph of the AD, and take precedence over
the actions copied from the MCAI.
[[Page 2607]]
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 270 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 15 work-hours per product to
comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour.
Required parts will cost about $15,000 per product. Where the service
information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty,
we have assumed that there will be no charge for these parts. As we do
not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may
incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we
estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $4,374,000, or
$16,200 per product.
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 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
; 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, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) 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
0
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:
2007-02-04 SOCATA-Groupe Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-14891; Docket
No. FAA-2006-26236; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-66-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February
26, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to SOCATA Models TB 20 and TB 21 airplanes,
serial numbers 1 through 9999 without repair REP 20.031 implemented
on both sides, certificated in any category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states there are reports of interference between the wing spar lower
boom and the wheel fairing attaching screw causing an unsafe
condition. The interference could, if left uncorrected, reduce the
fatigue life of the wing spar with potentially catastrophic results.
The MCAI requires inspections and repairs as necessary to correct
this unsafe condition.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service or 12 months after
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform an
inspection of the wing spar lower boom and repair it as necessary,
in accordance with the accomplishment instructions of the EADS
SOCATA TB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 10-148, ATA No. 57,
dated December 2005.
(2) If defect dimensions exceed the acceptable values given in
the EADS SOCATA TB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 10-148,
ATA No. 57, dated December 2005, or if the defect is not located in
areas depicted in figure 2 of the EADS SOCATA TB Aircraft Mandatory
Service Bulletin SB 10-148, ATA No. 57, dated December 2005, then
the Type 1 or Type 2 repair solutions are not applicable. A written
report shall be sent to the manufacturer as mentioned in section A.5
of the EADS SOCATA TB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 10-148,
ATA No. 57, dated December 2005. In this case, all flight is
prohibited until EADS SOCATA provides a repair solution or otherwise
agrees to further flight.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(f) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(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.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
Related Information
(g) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Airworthiness Directive No.: 2006-0123, dated May 16, 2006; and EADS
SOCATA TB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 10-148, ATA No. 57,
dated December 2005, for related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(h) You must use EADS SOCATA TB Aircraft Mandatory Service
Bulletin SB 10-148, ATA No. 57, dated December 2005, to do the
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of
[[Page 2608]]
this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact EADS
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
Aircraft, INC., North Perry Airport, 7501 Airport Road, Pembroke
Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 893-1400; fax: (954) 964-
4141.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; or 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: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html
.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 11, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-706 Filed 1-19-07; 8:45 am]
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