DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0417; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-008-AD;
Amendment 39-18975; AD 2017-15-15]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2002-19-01 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 the flight control wheel traveling beyond normal roll
control limits and jamming in a position that could cause loss of
control. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 6, 2017.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of September 6,
2017.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of
October 29, 2002 (67 FR 59137; September 20, 2002).

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0417; 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 service information identified in this AD, contact SOCATA,
Direction des services, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, France; phone: +33 (0) 5
62 41 73 00; fax: +33 (0) 5 62 41 76 54; email: info@socata.daher.com;
Internet: https://www.mysocata.com/login/accueil.php. You may view this
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. It is
also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for Docket No. FAA-2017-0417.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer,
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 by adding an AD that would apply to SOCATA Model TBM 700
airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on May 8,
2017 (82 FR 21328), and proposed to supersede AD 2002-19-01, Amendment
39-12881 (67 FR 59137; September 20, 2002) (``AD 2002-19-01'').
The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another
country. The MCAI states that:

An event occurred in 2001 on an in-service aeroplane where,
during a pre-flight check of the flight controls, the pilot control
wheel jammed in full nose up and full left position after having
exceeded the control stop of roll.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to reduced control
of the aeroplane.
Prompted by these findings, SOCATA issued Service Bulletin (SB)
70-095-27 to provide inspection instructions.
To address this unsafe condition, DGAC France issued AD 2001-
582(A) to require repetitive inspections of the flight control
system after any maintenance operation on flight controls. That AD
was later revised to update the list of affected aeroplane MSN.
Since DGAC France AD 2001-582(A) R1 was issued, SOCATA issued
Revision 2 of SB 70-095-27 to provide instructions for replacement
of the rivets in the roll primary stops as a terminating action for
the repetitive inspections.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD, which
supersedes DGAC France AD 2001-582(A) R1, requires replacement of
the rivets in the roll primary stops of the flight control wheels at
the next maintenance operation on flight controls.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0417-0002.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM 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 for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR 51

We reviewed DAHER SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-095,
Revision 2, dated October 2016, which describes procedures for
replacement of the flight control wheel primary stop rivets. We also
reviewed EADS SOCATA Recommended Service Bulletin SB 70-114, dated
December 2004, which describes procedures for installation of roll
control emergency stops on the flight control wheel. This service
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means
identified in the ADDRESSES section of the AD.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

DAHER SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 70-095, Revision 2,
dated October 2016, requires a modification that terminates any repetitive
inspections and also gives credit for another modification that may
have previously been done. We are retaining the repetitive inspection
requirement from AD 2002-19-01 and allowing installation of one of the
two different modifications as terminating action for the repetitive
inspections.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 203 products of U.S. registry.
We estimate that it will take about 1 hour per product to comply
with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85
per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the
inspection on U.S. operators to be $17,255, or $85 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will
take about 3 work-hours per product. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this action
on U.S. operators to be $255 per product. We have no way of determining
the number of products that may need these actions.
For the optional actions to terminate the repetitive inspections,
we estimate the following costs. We have no way of determining how many
operators may choose to do either of the optional actions. For
replacement of the rivets in the roll primary stops, we estimate that
it will take about 3.5 work-hours 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 $10 per product. Based on these
figures, for replacement of the rivets we estimate the cost of this
action on U.S. operators to be $307.50 per product.
For the installation of a roll control emergency stop on each
control wheel, we estimate that it will take about 19.5 work-hours 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 $1,650
per product. Based on these figures, for installation of the roll
control emergency stop, we estimate the cost of this action on U.S.
operators to be $3,307.50 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 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0417; 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 Amendment 39-12881 (67 FR
59137; September 20, 2002) and adding the following new AD: