AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/TBM 700/28 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (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 700/28
Amdt 2
Fuselage Skin Around the VHF1 Antenna 3/2004
Applicability: Model TBM 700 aircraft, serial numbers 1 through 255, 257 through 267, and 270; equipped with a VHF antenna under the fuselage between frame C12 and C13.
Note: Aircraft which have been reinforced in accordance with Socata Repair Sheet No. 70-017 or with change No. 70-150-53, depending on the serial number, as specified in Service Bulletin No. 70-111, are no longer affected by this Directive.
Requirement: Inspect the fuselage skin around the VHF1 antenna in accordance with EADS Socata Service Bulletin TBM 700 No. 70-103 Revision 1, dated September 2003.
An amendment to the Aircraft Flight Manual is required. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Directive and the Requirement document into the Aircraft Flight Manual Section 4: Pre-Flight Check.
Note: DGAC AD F-2003-367 R1 refers.
Compliance: Before the first flight of the day after 27 November 2003. Inspect thereafter before the first flight of the day.
The compliance times remain unchanged by this issue. This Amendment becomes effective on 18 March 2004.
Background: The manufacturer received reports of fuselage skin cracks around the VHF1 antenna, due to antenna vibration.
Amendment 1 expanded applicability and changed inspection result criteria.
Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series Aeroplanes
AD/TBM 700/28 Amdt 2 (continued)
Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new DGAC AD which adds a note to clarify applicability.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 6 February 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 25 February 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced an Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/TBM 700/28 Amdt 2 in 2004, specifically targeting the Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series aeroplanes. This directive addresses the issue of fuselage skin cracks around the VHF1 antenna, which were caused by antenna vibration, as reported by the manufacturer. The AD aims to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating specific inspection procedures and compliance timelines. This legislative instrument, issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, is designed to maintain safety standards by requiring operators to inspect the fuselage skin around the VHF1 antenna and make any necessary amendments to the Aircraft Flight Manual as per the directive.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series Aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers 1 through 255, 257 through 267, and 270, that are equipped with a VHF antenna under the fuselage between frames C12 and C13. It mandates an inspection of the fuselage skin around the VHF1 antenna, in accordance with EADS Socata Service Bulletin TBM 700 No. 70-103 Revision 1, dated September 2003. This AD is issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). It requires an amendment to the Aircraft Flight Manual, which can be achieved by inserting a copy of this directive and the requirement document into the Aircraft Flight Manual Section 4: Pre-Flight Check. The directive became effective on 18 March 2004, with compliance required before the first flight of the day after 27 November 2003, and thereafter before each flight. This AD extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia and is applicable until further notice, unless amended or revoked by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/TBM 700/28 Amdt 2, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) 1998, revokes the previous amendment and mandates that specific actions be taken concerning the Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series Aeroplanes to address safety concerns. Specifically, it applies to TBM 700 aircraft with serial numbers 1 through 255, 257 through 267, and 270, which are equipped with a VHF antenna under the fuselage between frames C12 and C13 (section 3). Aircraft already reinforced under Socata Repair Sheet No. 70-017 or change No. 70-150-53, as detailed in Service Bulletin No. 70-111, are exempt from this directive.
The key requirement outlined in the AD is to inspect the fuselage skin around the VHF1 antenna in accordance with EADS Socata Service Bulletin TBM 700 No. 70-103 Revision 1, dated September 2003. This inspection must be carried out before the first flight of the day, starting from 27 November 2003, and thereafter before each flight (section 3). Additionally, an amendment to the Aircraft Flight Manual is mandated, which involves inserting a copy of this directive and the requirement document into the Aircraft Flight Manual Section 4: Pre-Flight Check.
Entities governed by this AD, such as aircraft owners and operators, are obligated to ensure that the specified inspections are conducted as required. Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious safety implications, as it aims to prevent fuselage skin cracks due to antenna vibration, which could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft. The AD references DGAC AD F-2003-367 R1, indicating a collaborative approach with the French civil aviation authority in addressing this safety issue.
Breach of this Airworthiness Directive can lead to significant consequences. While the AD itself does not explicitly state penalties, non-compliance with CASR 1998 provisions can result in severe civil or criminal penalties. Under CASR, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may impose fines and other sanctions on operators who fail to adhere to airworthiness directives. The severity of these penalties can vary, but they are designed to enforce compliance and ensure the safety of aircraft operations.