Airworthiness directives: Groupe Aerospatiale,
[Federal Register: July 2, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 127)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 44401-44403]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02jy02-18]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-CE-16-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE Model TB 21 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to certain SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE (Socata) Model TB 21 airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to modify the exhaust system. This proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent high levels of carbon monoxide from entering the cockpit during certain flight configurations, which could result in the pilot becoming incapacitated or impairing his/her judgement. Such a condition could lead to the pilot not being able to make critical flight safety decisions and result in loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any comments on this proposed rule on or before August 1, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-16-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments electronically to the following address: 9-ACE-7-Docket@faa.gov. Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2002-CE-16-AD'' in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached electronic
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files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.
You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD from SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes- Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930--F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone: 011 33 5 62 41 73 00; facsimile: 011 33 5 62 41 76 54; or the Product Support Manager, SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 893- 1400; facsimile: (954) 964-4141. You may also view this information at the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?
The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and submit your comments to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking action.
Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay Attention to?
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view all comments we receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each contact we have with the public that concerns the substantive parts of this proposed AD.
How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?
If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to Docket No. 2002-CE-16-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard back to you.
Discussion
What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Socata Model TB 21 airplanes. The DGAC reports three occurrences in which carbon monoxide levels in the cockpit have been found to be above specified tolerance levels during certain flight configurations. Carbon monoxide is entering the cockpit from the rear part of the fuselage.
This condition resulted from a design problem and all three occurrences were discovered prior to delivery of any of the affected airplanes. The modification required in this proposed AD is being applied at the factory for all other Model TB 21 airplanes.
What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?
This condition, if not corrected, could result in high levels of carbon monoxide entering the cockpit during certain flight configurations. High levels of carbon monoxide in the cockpit could result in the pilot becoming incapacitated or impairing his/her judgement. Such a condition could lead to the pilot not being able to make critical flight safety decisions and result in loss of control of the airplane.
Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?
Socata has issued TB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 10-126 78, dated November 2001.
What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?
The service bulletin includes procedures for modifying the exhaust pipe.
What Action Did the DGAC Take?
The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued French AD 2001-610(A), dated December 12, 2001, in order to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?
This airplane model is manufactured in France and are type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.
Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept FAA informed of the situation described above.
The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of This Proposed AD
What Has FAA Decided?
The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC; reviewed all available information, including the service information referenced above; and determined that:
--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could develop on other Socata Model TB 21 airplanes of the same type design that are on the U.S. registry; --The actions specified in the previously-referenced service information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and --AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.
What Would This Proposed AD Require?
This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service bulletin.
Cost Impact
How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 13 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What Would Be the Cost Impact of This Proposed AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected Airplanes?
We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed modification:
Total cost per Labor cost
Parts cost airplane Total cost on U.S. operators
3 workhours x $60 = $180......................
$260
$440 $440 x 13 = $5,720.
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Regulatory Impact
Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?
The regulations proposed herein would 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. Therefore, it is determined that this proposed rule would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed action (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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action has been placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
-
The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
-
FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows:
SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE: Docket No. 2002-CE-16-AD
(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects Model TB 21 airplanes, serial numbers 500 through 2080, 2091, and 2101, that are certificated in any category.
(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must comply with this AD.
(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent high levels of carbon monoxide from entering the cockpit during certain flight configurations, which could result in the pilot becoming incapacitated or impairing his/ her judgement. Such a condition could lead to the pilot not being able to make critical flight safety decisions and result in loss of control of the airplane.
(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:
Actions
Compliance
Procedures
(1) Install a part number (P/N) Within the next 50 In accordance with TB 21 9600200000 exhaust
hours time-in- Socata TB extension to the exhaust pipe. service (TIS) Aircraft This installation is
after the
Mandatory Service Modification No. MOD.178.
effective date of Bulletin SB 10- this AD.
126 78, dated November 2001, and the applicable maintenance manual.
(2) Do not install, on any
As of the
Not applicable. affected airplane, any of the effective date of following components without this AD. incorporating Modification No. MOD.178 as required by paragraph (d)(1) of this AD: (i) Exhaust installation assemblies P/N TB21 56001000, P/ N TB21 56001005, or P/N TB21 5600100501; or (ii) Turbo exhaust tubes P/N TB21 56001001, P/N TB21 56001006, or P/N TB21 5600100601.
(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of safety; and
(2) The Standards Office Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Standards Office Manager.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph (a) of this AD, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/ operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific actions you propose to address it.
(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved alternative methods of compliance? Contact Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
(g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where you can accomplish the requirements of this AD. No passengers are allowed for this flight.
(h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support, Aerodrome Tarbes- Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930-F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone: 011 33 5 62 41 73 00; facsimile: 011 33 5 62 41 76 54; or the Product Support Manager, SOCATA Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954) 893-1400; facsimile: (954) 964-4141. You may view these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 2001- 610(A), dated December 12, 2001.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 25, 2002. Michael Gallagher, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-16532Filed7-1-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
