DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1480; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00930-A;
Amendment 39-22851; AD 2024-19-09]
RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-08-08
for all SOCATA (type certificate now held by DAHER) Model MS 880B, MS
885, MS 892A-150, MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 893E, MS 894A, MS 894E,
Rallye 100S, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 150T, Rallye 235C, and Rallye 235E
airplanes. AD 2016-08-08 required doing repetitive detailed visual
inspections of the intersection between the axle radius and the nose
landing gear (NLG) fork area for chafing; doing repetitive dye
penetrant inspections on the NLG wheel axle for cracks, distortion, and
nicks or wear; doing corrective actions if necessary; and replacing the
NLG wheel axle attachment screws with new screws. This AD is prompted
by the introduction of a new inspection method and a new design for the
affected NLG wheel axle that provides terminating action for the
repetitive inspections, as specified in updated service information
published by the manufacturer. This AD requires preparing, inspecting,
replacing, reconditioning the NLG wheel axle, and prohibiting affected
parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 26, 2024.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 26, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1480; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (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.

Material Incorporated by Reference:

For Daher Aerospace material identified in this AD,
contact Daher Aerospace, Customer Support, Airplane Division, 65921
Tarbes Cedex 9, France; phone: 33 (0)5 62.41.73.00; email:
tbmcare@daher.com; website: daher.com.

You may view this material 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 (817) 222-5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2024-1480.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Guerin, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206)
231-2346; email: fred.guerin@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2016-08-08, Amendment 39-18484 (81 FR
21711, April 13, 2016) (AD 2016-08-08). AD 2016-08-08 applied to SOCATA
(type certificate now held by DAHER) Model MS 880B, MS 885, MS 892A-
150, MS 892E-150, MS 893A, MS 893E, MS 894A, MS 894E, Rallye 100S,
Rallye 150ST, Rallye 150T, Rallye 235C, and Rallye 235E airplanes.

AD 2016-08-08 was prompted by MCAI originated by European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the
Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2015-0203, dated
October 7, 2015 (EASA AD 2015-0203) to correct an unsafe condition
identified as fatigue failure of the NLG wheel axle. EASA AD 2015-0203
was prompted by an NLG wheel axle failure that occurred in service. The
investigation revealed that this failure was due to fatigue caused by
premature wear. EASA AD 2015-0203 required retaining the requirements
of Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) France
AD 91-163(A)R2, dated March 30, 1994, which was superseded, but
required those actions to be accomplished within reduced intervals.

AD 2016-08-08 required doing repetitive detailed visual inspections
of the intersection between the axle radius and the NLG fork area for
chafing; doing repetitive dye penetrant inspections on the NLG wheel
axle for cracks, distortion, and nicks or wear; corrective actions if
necessary; and replacing the NLG wheel axle attachment screws with new
screws. The FAA issued AD 2016-08-08 to address chafing and cracking of
the NLG wheel axle, which could lead to failure of the NLG with
consequent damage to the airplane and/or injury to occupants.

Since the FAA issued AD 2016-08-08, EASA superseded EASA AD 2015-
0203 and issued EASA AD 2023-0080, dated April 17, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-
0080) (also referred to as the MCAI) to correct an unsafe condition for
all DAHER AEROSPACE Model MS 880 B, MS 880 B-D, MS 881, MS 883, MS 884,
MS 885, MS 886, MS 887, MS 890 A, MS 890 B, MS 892 A.150, MS 892 B.150,
MS 892 E.150, MS 892 E-D.150, MS 893 A, MS 893 B, MS 893 E, MS 893 E-D,
MS 894 A, MS 894 E, RALLYE 100 S, RALLYE 100 S-D, RALLYE 100 ST, RALLYE
100 ST-D, RALLYE 110 ST, RALLYE 150 ST, RALLYE 150 ST-D, RALLYE 150 T,
RALLYE 150 T-D, RALLYE 150 SV, RALLYE 150 SVS, RALLYE 180 T, RALLYE 180
TS, RALLYE 180 T-D, RALLYE 235 A, RALLYE 235 F, RALLYE 235 E, and
RALLYE 235 E-D airplanes.

The MCAI states that it retains the requirements of EASA AD 2015-
0203 but introduces a new inspection method and a new design of the NLG
wheel axle as a terminating action for the repetitive detailed
inspections. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1480.

The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 4, 2024 (89 FR
47879). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to
retain none of the requirements of AD 2016-08-08. The NPRM proposed to
require repetitively inspecting the NLG wheel axle and, if chafing,
cracking, or damage was found, installing the newly designed NLG wheel
axle and attachment screws, which would terminate the actions specified
in the proposed AD. The NPRM also proposed a magnetic particle
inspection after a visual inspection if no damage was found, or when
installing an airworthy part that was previously in service. The NPRM
also proposed to require repetitively replacing the NLG wheel axle
attachment screws.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Change Since NPRM Was Published

The NPRM proposed to require repetitively replacing the NLG wheel
axle attachment screws every 2,000 hours time-in-service (TIS). The FAA
re-evaluated this requirement and determined that clarification of the
intent of this requirement is needed. The FAA revised paragraph (i) of
this AD to clarify that any screw found to be distorted, scratched,
nicked, or worn during any repetitive inspection required by paragraph
(h)(1) of this AD must be replaced before further flight. If no screw
is found to be distorted, scratched, nicked, or worn during any
repetitive inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, all of
the NLG wheel axle attachment screws must be replaced initially before
exceeding 2,000 hours TIS total on the airplane; before exceeding 2,000
hours TIS since the last time the attachment screws were replaced; or
within 50 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed
2,000 hours TIS after the last replacement.

Conclusion

These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are 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 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. Except for the change described previously, this AD
is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. This change will not increase the
economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Daher Service Bulletin SB 150, Revision 4, dated
January 2023. This material specifies procedures for preparing,
inspecting, replacing, and reconditioning the NLG wheel axle. This
material also specifies procedures for replacing the NLG wheel axle
attachment screws.

This material 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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

The applicability of the MCAI includes DAHER AEROSPACE Model MS
886, MS 887, MS 890 A, MS 890 B, MS 892 B.150, MS 892 E-D.150, MS 893
B, MS 893 E-D, RALLYE 100 S-D, RALLYE 100 ST, RALLYE 100 ST-D, RALLYE
110 ST, RALLYE 150 ST-D, RALLYE 150 T-D, RALLYE 150 SV, RALLYE 150 SVS,
RALLYE 180 T, RALLYE 180 TS, RALLYE 180 T-D, RALLYE 235 A, RALLYE 235
F, and RALLYE 235 E-D airplanes and the applicability of this AD does
not because these models do not have an FAA type certificate.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 32 airplanes of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary action
that would be required based on the results of the inspections. The
agency has no way of determining the number of airplanes that might
need this action:

On-condition costs

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

The FAA has 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) 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:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2016-08-08, Amendment 39-18484 (81
FR 21711, April 13, 2016); and

b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: