AD/TBM 700/50 Alternator and Vapour Cycle Cooling System Pulley Drive Assembly (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series Aeroplanes

AD/TBM 700/50 Alternator and Vapour Cycle Cooling
System Pulley Drive Assembly 7/2008

Applicability:

EADS SOCATA TBM700 N aircraft model (commercially known as TBM 850) from serial number (S/N) 434 through S/N 455 inclusive.

Requirement:

1.    Until further notice, position to “OFF” the air-conditioning “AIR COND” switch.

2.    Check for oil leakage from the pulley drive assembly in accordance with EADS SOCATA Service Bulletin (SB) No.70-156 or later NAA approved revision.

3.    If ANY leak is found, replace the pulley drive assembly without reinstalling the compressor drive belt, as detailed in EADS SOCATA SB No.70-156 or later NAA approved revision.

4.    If NO leak is found, remove from the pulley drive assembly the compressor drive belt, as instructed in EADS SOCATA SB No.70-156 or later NAA approved revision.

Note:  EASA Emergency AD 2008-0063-e dated 28 March 2008 refers.

Compliance:

Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD unless previously accomplished.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 July 2008.

Background:

A rupture of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling system pulley drive assembly has reported.  Such a failure could lead to the loss of the alternator and vapour cycle cooling systems and could also cause mechanical damage inside the powerplant compartment.  This AD requires a check for leakage from the pulley drive assembly and, as an interim action, requires removal of the compressor drive belt from the assembly, and adopting a new operational procedure to deactivate the air-conditioning system.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

22 May 2008