DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0778; Project Identifier 2019-CE-062-AD; Amendment
39-21834; AD 2021-24-13]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Daher Aerospace (Type Certificate
Previously Held by SOCATA) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Daher Aerospace (type certificate previously held by SOCATA)
Model TBM 700 airplanes. 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 a non-
conforming dump switch ejecting from its slot. This AD requires
modifying certain dump switches. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 12, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 12,
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Daher Aerospace Inc., Pompano Beach Airpark, 601 NE 10 Street,
Pompano Beach, FL 33060; phone: (954) 893-1400; website: https://
www.tbm.aero. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is also available at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2021-0778.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0778; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the
MCAI, any comments received, and other information. The address for
Docket Operations is 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: Gregory Johnson, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone:
(720) 626-5462; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: gregory.johnson@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered
Daher Aerospace (type certificate previously held by SOCATA) Model TBM
700 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September
14, 2021 (86 FR 51033). The NPRM was prompted by MCAI originated by the
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2019-
0306, dated December 18, 2019 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''),
to address the unsafe condition on certain serial-numbered Daher
Aerospace (formerly SOCATA) Model TBM 700 airplanes. The MCAI states:

It has been determined that, in certain conditions, an affected
switch [dump switch part number 7388475012 without a seal] may eject
from its slot. Investigations identified the root cause in a non-
conformity of the affected switch.
This condition, if not corrected, could, in case of smoke/fumes
in the cabin, prevent evacuation of the smoke/fumes, possibly
resulting in excessive flight crew workload and/or injury to
aeroplane occupants.
To address this potential unsafe condition, DAHER AEROSPACE
issued the [service bulletin] SB to provide modification
instructions.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
modification of the affected parts by installation of a seal, and
introduces requirements for installation of a dump switch.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0778.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.

Conclusion

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the
NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Daher Aerospace Service Bulletin SB 70-271-21,
Revision 1, dated November 2019. The service information contains
procedures for modifying each dump switch part number 7388475012 by
removing the two indicator light units, installing a seal, installing a
thin layer of grease, and installing the two indicator lights. 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.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 150 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA also estimates that it would take about 1 work-hour
per airplane and require parts costing $800 to comply with the
modification required by this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour.
Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the inspection cost of
this AD on U.S. operators to be $132,750 or $885 per airplane.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.

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.
The FAA is 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

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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

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 airworthiness
directive: