[Federal Register: May 9, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 91)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 26318-26321]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09my08-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0527; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-027-AD;
Amendment 39-15520; AD 2008-10-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; EADS SOCATA Model TBM 700 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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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 the aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct
[[Page 26319]]
an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the
unsafe condition as:
A rupture of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling system
pulley drive assembly has reportedly been found. Such a failure
could lead to the loss of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling
systems and could also cause mechanical damage inside the powerplant
compartment.
This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: This AD becomes effective May 29, 2008.
On May 29, 2008, the Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD.
We must receive comments on this AD by June 9, 2008.
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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.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 this AD, 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.
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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD No.: 2008-0067-E, dated April 3, 2008 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
A rupture of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling system
pulley drive assembly has reportedly been found. Such a failure
could lead to the loss of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling
systems and could also cause mechanical damage inside the powerplant
compartment.
To address this condition, AD 2008-0063-E had been published to
require a check of the pulley drive assembly for leakage and, as an
interim action, removal of the compressor drive belt from the
assembly, and adoption of a new operational procedure to keep the
air-conditioning system deactivated.
This AD retains the requirements of AD 2008-0063-E which is
superseded, introduces a mandatory terminating action which consists
in replacing the original pulley drive assembly by a new one of an
improved design--corresponding to the EADS SOCATA modification MOD
70-0231-21--that permits reinstallation of the compressor drive
belt.
The MCAI requires you to deactivate the air conditioning system,
inspect the pulley drive assembly for leaks, and replace the pulley
drive assembly if leaks are found.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
EADS SOCATA has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-156,
Amendment 1, dated March 2008. The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the 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 issuing this AD because we
evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same type design.
The MCAI and the service information require replacement of the
pulley drive assembly part number (P/N) T700G215504900000 with the new
P/N T700G215505710000 and reinstallation of the compressor drive belt
by no later than March 31, 2009. This AD is considered an interim
action because we are only mandating this replacement if a leak is
found. The Administrative Procedure Act does not permit the FAA to
``bootstrap'' a long-term requirement into an urgent safety of flight
action where the rule becomes effective at the same time the public has
the opportunity to comment. The short-term action and the long-term
action are analyzed separately for justification to bypass prior public
notice.
After issuing this AD, we may initiate further AD action (notice of
proposed rulemaking followed by a final rule) to require such a
terminating action.
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 have also 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. These requirements take
precedence over those copied from the MCAI.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because a
rupture of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling system pulley drive
assembly has been reported. Such a failure could lead to the loss of
the alternator and vapor cycle cooling systems and could cause
mechanical damage inside the powerplant compartment.
Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for public
comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause
exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0527; Directorate
Identifier 2008-CE-027-
[[Page 26320]]
AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments
on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects
of this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
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 that 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.
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:
2008-10-13 EADS SOCATA: Amendment 39-15520; Docket No. FAA-2008-
0527; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-027-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 29,
2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Models TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers
434 through 455, certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 24: Electric
Power.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
A rupture of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling system
pulley drive assembly has reportedly been found. Such a failure
could lead to the loss of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling
systems and could also cause mechanical damage inside the powerplant
compartment.
To address this condition, AD 2008-0063-E had been published to
require a check of the pulley drive assembly for leakage and, as an
interim action, removal of the compressor drive belt from the
assembly, and adoption of a new operational procedure to keep the
air-conditioning system deactivated.
This AD retains the requirements of AD 2008-0063-E which is
superseded, introduces a mandatory terminating action which consists
in replacing the original pulley drive assembly by a new one of an
improved design--corresponding to the EADS SOCATA modification MOD
70-0231-21--that permits reinstallation of the compressor drive
belt.
The MCAI requires you to deactivate the air conditioning system,
inspect the pulley drive assembly for leaks, and replace the pulley
drive assembly if leaks are found.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, before further flight after May 29,
2008 (the effective date of this AD), do the following actions:
(1) Position to ``OFF'' the air-conditioning ``AIR COND''
switch.
(2) Check for oil leakage in the pulley drive assembly by
following EADS SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) No. 70-156 Amendment 1,
dated March 2008.
(3) If any leak is found, before further flight, replace the
pulley drive assembly part number (P/N) T700G215504900000 with P/N
T700G215505710000 following EADS SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) No.
70-156 Amendment 1, dated March 2008.
(4) If no leak is found, before further flight, remove the
compressor drive belt from the pulley drive assembly following
either EADS SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) No. 70-156, original issue;
or EADS SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) No. 70-156, Amendment 1; both
dated March 2008.
(5) The air-conditioning ``AIR COND'' switch must be in the
``OFF'' position and the compressor drive belt must remain removed
until the pulley drive assembly part number (P/N) T700G215504900000
is replaced with P/N T700G215505710000 following EADS SOCATA Service
Bulletin (SB) No. 70-156 Amendment 1, dated March 2008. This
replacement must be done before further flight if any leak is found
and may be done at any time as terminating action to this AD.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows:
(1) The MCAI and the service information require replacement of
the pulley drive assembly part number (P/N) T700G215504900000 with
the improved design P/N T700G215505710000 and reinstallation of the
compressor drive belt by no later than March 31, 2009.
(2) This AD is considered an interim action because we are only
mandating this replacement if a leak is found. The Administrative
Procedure Act does not permit the FAA to ``bootstrap'' a long-term
requirement into an urgent safety of flight action where the rule
becomes effective at the same time the public has the opportunity to
comment. The short-term action and the long-term action are analyzed
separately for justification to bypass prior public notice.
(3) After issuing this AD, we may initiate further AD action
(notice of proposed rulemaking followed by a final rule) to require
the replacement of the pulley drive assembly part number (P/N)
T700G215504900000 with the new P/N T700G215505710000, and
reinstallation of the compressor drive belt as a terminating action.
Appropriate credit would be given for the initial actions done under
this AD.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) 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
[[Page 26321]]
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. 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.
(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.
Special Flight Permit
(h) Under 14 CFR 39.23, we are limiting the special flight
permits for this AD under the following condition: The air-
conditioning ``AIR-COND'' switch is set to the ``OFF'' position.
Related Information
(i) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Emergency AD No.: 2008-0067-E, dated April 3, 2008, and EADS SOCATA
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 70-156, Amendment 1, dated March 2008, for
related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use EADS SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) No. 70-156,
original issue; or EADS SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) No. 70-156,
Amendment 1, both dated March 2008, 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 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 7-54; or in the
United States contact EADS SOCATA North America, Inc., North Perry
Airport, 7501 South 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 April 30, 2008.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-10066 Filed 5-8-08; 8:45 am]
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