Tdata AD

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2012-10-14	SOCATA: Amendment 39-17063; Docket No. FAA-2012-0250; Directorate Identifier 2011-CE-043-AD.

(a) EFFECTIVE DATE

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 23, 2012.

(b) AFFECTED ADS

    None.

(c) APPLICABILITY

    This AD applies to SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes, all serial  numbers
    (S/N),  certificated  in  any  category,  equipped  with  one  of  the
    following landing gears:

(1) Part number (P/N) D23766000 or D23766000-X,  serial numbers (S/N) B001
    through  B373; B375;  AR1000 through  AR1023;  AR1025  through AR1031;
    AR1033 through AR1036;  AAB00000A through AAB13766Z;  AAB00000 through
    AAB13766; and EURXXX; or

(2) P/N 21130-001-XY or 21130-000-XY, all S/N.

(d) SUBJECT

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing Gear.

(e) REASON

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information
    (MCAI)  originated  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  installation of an  incorrect
    part number during overhaul of  the nose landing gear. We  are issuing
    this AD to detect and correct installation of incorrect P/N NLG bolts,
    which if not  corrected could result  in NLG collapse  with consequent
    structural damage to the airplane.

(f) ACTIONS AND COMPLIANCE

    Unless already done, do the following actions using the Accomplishment
    Instructions of DAHER-SOCATA  TBM Aircraft Mandatory  Service Bulletin
    SB 70-194-32,  Amendment 2,  dated  November 2011, including  Erratum,
    dated December 2011:

(1) Although  the  European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) MCAI  allows the
    inspection of the  NLG washer to  be done by  a pilot-owner, the  U.S.
    regulatory system  requires all  actions of  this AD  to be  done by a
    certified mechanic.

(2) Within 5 flight cycles (FC) after July 23, 2012 (the effective date of
    this AD), inspect the installed NLG  to determine if it is one  of the
    affected P/Ns and S/Ns as listed in paragraph (c) of this AD.

(i) If FC data is not available, the use of a one-to-one FC to flight hour
    conversion  must  be applied  (example:  5 FC  equal  5 hours  time-in
    -service (TIS)).

(ii) For the purpose of this AD,  when an NLG P/N reference is followed by
     -X or -XY, the X  or XY can be any  numerical digit, and when an  NLG
     S/N reference is EURXXX, the XXX can be any numerical digit.

(3) If during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD,  you
    determine  the NLG  installed is  one of  the affected  P/Ns and  S/Ns
    listed  in paragraph  (c) of  the AD,  inspect for  free rotation  the
    washer of the NLG. Repetitively  thereafter inspect the washer of  the
    NLG for free  rotation before every  flight until the  replacement and
    landing gear marking required  in paragraphs (f)(4)(i) and  (f)(4)(ii)
    or paragraphs (f)(5)(i) and (f)(5)(ii) of this AD are done.

(4) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, the
    washer  of  the NLG  rotates  freely, before  further  flight, do  the
    following actions:

(i) Replace the bolt attaching  the  actuator hinge axle of the NLG with a
    serviceable bolt P/N 5101301111.

(ii) Mark the landing gear with a green varnish line.

(5) For  the  NLG P/Ns and S/Ns as listed in  paragraph (c)  of  this  AD,
    within 10 months after July 23, 2012 (the effective date of this  AD),
    unless  already done  following  a  discrepancy identified  during any
    inspection  as  required  by  paragraph  (f)(3)  of  this  AD,  do the
    following actions:

(i) Replace the bolt attaching  the  actuator hinge axle of the NLG with a
    serviceable bolt P/N 5101301111 and;

(ii) Mark the landing gear with a green varnish line.

(6) Replacing  of  the  bolt  attaching the actuator hinge axle of the NLG
    with a serviceable  bolt P/N 5101301111  and marking the  landing gear
    with  a  green  varnish  line  terminates  the  repetitive inspections
    required by paragraph (f)(3) of this AD.

(7) After July 23, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), do not install an
    NLG with P/N and S/N as listed in paragraph (c) of this AD, unless the
    bolt attaching the  actuator hinge axle  of the NLG  has been replaced
    and the NLG has  been marked with a  green varnish line following  the
    requirements of this AD.

(g) OTHER FAA AD PROVISIONS

    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  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;   email:
    albert.mercado@faa.gov. 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, a
    federal  agency  may not  conduct  or sponsor,  and  a person  is  not
    required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
    failure to  comply with  a collection  of information  subject to  the
    requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection  of
    information  displays  a current  valid  OMB Control  Number.  The OMB
    Control Number  for this  information collection  is 2120-0056. Public
    reporting  for  this  collection of  information  is  estimated to  be
    approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing
    instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of  information.
    All  responses  to  this  collection  of  information  are  mandatory.
    Comments concerning the  accuracy of this  burden and suggestions  for
    reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence
    Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance
    Officer, AES-200.

(h) RELATED INFORMATION

    Refer  to  MCAI  EASA AD  No.: 2011-0235-E,  dated  December 13, 2011;
    DAHER-SOCATA  TBM Aircraft  Mandatory Service  Bulletin SB  70-194-32,
    Amendment  2, dated  November 2011;  and Erratum  to DAHER-SOCATA  TBM
    Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin  SB 70 194-32, Amendment 2,  dated
    December 2011, for related information.

(i) MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

(1) You  must  use DAHER-SOCATA TBM Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB
    70-194-32, Amendment 2, dated November 2011, including Erratum,  dated
    December 2011, to do  the actions required by  this AD, unless the  AD
    specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the
    incorporation by reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR  part
    51:

(2) For  service  information  identified  in  this  AD,  contact SOCATA--
    Direction des Services, 65921  Tarbes Cedex 9, France;  telephone: +33
    (0)5 62 41 73 00;  fax: +33 (0)5 62 41  7654; or in the United  States
    contact SOCATA North  America, Inc., North  Perry Airport, 7501  South
    Airport  Road, Pembroke  Pines, Florida  33023;  telephone:  (954) 893
    -1400;   fax:   (954)   964-4141;   email:  mysocata@socata.daher.com;
    Internet: www.socatanorthamerica.com.

(3) You  may  review  copies of the service information at the FAA,  Small
    Airplane Directorate,  901 Locust,  Kansas City,  Missouri 64106.  For
    information on  the availability  of this  material at  the FAA,  call
    (816) 329-4148.

(4) You  may  also  review  copies  of  the  service  information  that is
    incorporated  by  reference  at  the  National  Archives  and  Records
    Administration (NARA).  For information  on the  availability of  this
    material  at   an  NARA   facility,  call   202-741-6030,  or   go  to
    http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/i
    br_locations.html.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 17, 2012. Earl Lawrence,  Manager,
Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

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;  email:
albert.mercado@faa.gov.

PREAMBLE

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for SOCATA
Model TBM 700 airplanes. 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
installation of an incorrect part number during overhaul of the nose
landing gear. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 23, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 23, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov or in person at Document 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 service information identified in this AD, contact 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 in the United States
contact SOCATA North America, Inc., North Perry Airport, 7501 South
Airport Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 893-1400;
fax: (954) 964-4141; email: mysocata@socata.daher.com; Internet:
www.socatanorthamerica.com. You may review copies of the referenced
service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

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; email:
albert.mercado@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 March 9, 2012 (77 FR
14314). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:

A TBM 700 operator reported a case of rupture of the bolt
attaching the actuator hinge axle on the NLG of the aeroplane. The
results of the technical investigations carried out by SOCATA
revealed that this rupture could have been caused by the
installation of a bolt bearing incorrect Part Number (P/N) during
overhaul of the NLG. Furthermore, the investigations led to identify
the NLG part numbers identified by S/N which are potentially
affected after repair or overhaul.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
partial disengagement of the actuator hinge axle on the NLG of the
aeroplane, resulting in nose landing gear collapse, possibly
resulting in structural damage to the aeroplane.
To address this condition, SOCATA have developed Service
Bulletin SB 70-194-32 which gives instructions for accomplishing
repetitive checks of the bolt attaching actuator hinge axle on NLG
and for replacing the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle with a correct
bolt P/N. For the reasons described above, this AD requires accomplishment
of repetitive checks of potentially affected NLGs and replacement of
the bolt attaching the actuator hinge axle with a serviceable bolt.
This AD also prohibits installation on any aeroplane of a
potentially affected NLG, unless the bolt attaching the actuator
hinge axle has been replaced with a serviceable bolt and the NLG has
been marked with a green varnish line.
Following issuance of EASA AD 2011-0225-E, it has been
determined that further NLG P/Ns and S/Ns are affected by this AD.
SOCATA have developed an erratum to SB 70-194-32 amendment 2, which
lists the new P/Ns and S/Ns as well affected by this AD.
For the above reason, this AD, which supersedes EASA AD 2011-
0225-E, retaining its requirements, extends the list of NLG P/Ns and
S/Ns affected by the AD requirements.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 14314, March 9,
2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (77 FR 14314, March 9, 2012) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 14314, March 9, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 448 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product to
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $35 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S.
operators to be $53,760, or $120 per product.
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.

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 the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.

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 adding the following new AD: