AD 2021-24-13

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: