SUMMARY: We are revising an existing 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:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) was prompted by reports of loose rivets on frames C18 BIS and C19, which could result in a reduced structural integrity of the tail area.
We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This AD becomes effective September 9, 2009.
On September 9, 2009, the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-129, AMENDMENT 1, dated February 2009, listed in this AD.
As of March 15, 2007 (72 FR 5923, February 8, 2007), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-129, dated June 2005, listed in this AD.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 May 12, 2009 (74 FR 22125), and proposed to revise AD 2007-03-17, Amendment 39-14928 (72 FR 5923, February 8, 2007).
Since we issued AD 2007-03-17, EADS SOCATA revised the service bulletin used in the AD to change the applicability.
The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states that:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) was prompted by reports of loose rivets on frames C18 BIS and C19, which could result in a reduced structural integrity of the tail area.
This MCAI requires you to inspect the rivets on frames C18 BIS and C19, and, if necessary, apply corrective actions. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We considered the comment received.
Comment Issue: Required Work-Hours and Labor Cost
SOCATA comments that the initial inspection would take 0.5 work-hour. If necessary, rivets replacement would never take more than 5 work-hours. If parts are necessary, only rivets and shims are required, and their cost is negligible.
We agree with SOCATA, and we will revise the basic requirement work-hours estimate from 3 work-hours to 1 work-hour. We will also revise the follow-on work-hours from 15 hours to 5 hours and revise the follow-on parts cost from $2,000 to $5 per product per SOCATA's comments.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.
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 highlighted in a note within the AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 272 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $21,760, or $80 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would take about 5 work-hours and require parts costing $5 for a cost of $405 per product. 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 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://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 the NPRM, 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.
SEC 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends SEC 39.13 by removing AD 2007-03-17, Amendment 39-14928 (72 FR 5923, February 8, 2007) and adding the following new AD:
2007-03-17 R1 SOCATA: Amendment 39-15983; Docket No. FAA-2006-26234; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-064-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 9, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD revises AD 2007-03-17, Amendment 39-14928 (72 FR 5923, February 8, 2007).
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 1 through 345, certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 53: Fuselage.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) was prompted by reports of loose rivets on frames C18 BIS and C19, which could result in a reduced structural integrity of the tail area.
This MCAI requires you to inspect the rivets on frames C18 BIS and C19, and, if necessary, apply corrective actions. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after September 9, 2009 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 12 months after September 9, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 100 hours TIS, do a detailed inspection of the area and apply corrective actions, as necessary. Follow the accomplishment instructions of either SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-129, dated June 2005 or SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-129, AMENDMENT 1, dated February 2009.
FAA AD Differences
--This is a summary of a Federal Register article originally published on the page number listed below--
Final rule.
CFR Part: "14 CFR Part 39"
RIN Number: "RIN 2120-AA64"
Citation: "74 FR 38903"
Document Number: "Docket No. FAA-2006-26234; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-064-AD; Amendment 39-15983; AD 2007-03-17 R1"
Federal Register Page Number: "38903"
"Rules and Regulations"
