2023-11-12: Emergency Exits

1. The authority citation for Part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-11-12 DAHER AEROSPACE (Type Certificate Previously Held by SOCATA): Amendment 39-22458; Docket No. FAA-2023-0425; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00980-A. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 21, 2023. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to DAHER AEROSPACE (type certificate previously held by SOCATA) Model TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers 434 through 1424 inclusive, except serial numbers 1408 and 1420, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5220, Emergency Exits. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as interference between the emergency exit trim panel and the upholstery panel, which could result in additional effort required to open the emergency exit door. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this condition. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to failure of the emergency exit door to perform its intended function during an emergency opening, resulting in reduced evacuation capacity from the airplane and injury to occupants. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the gripping strap on the emergency exit trim panel by following, as applicable for your serial-numbered airplane, sections A, B, and C in the Description of Accomplishment Instructions in Daher Aerospace Service Bulletin SB 70-304, dated July 2022 (Daher SB 70-304), except where Daher SB 70-304 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. If the operational check of the emergency exit fails, before further flight, re-modify the gripping strap on the emergency exit trim panel by following, as applicable for your serial-numbered airplane, sections A, B, and C in the Description of Accomplishment Instructions in Daher SB 70-304 until it passes this operational check, except where Daher SB 70-304 specifies to discard certain parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in § 39.19. In accordance with § 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD or email to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. If mailing information, also submit information by email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (i) Additional Information (1) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0149, dated July 21, 2022, for related information. This EASA AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-0425. (2) For more information about this AD, contact Fred Guerin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-231-2346; email: fred.guerin@faa.gov. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Daher Aerospace Service Bulletin SB 70-304, dated July 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact DAHER AEROSPACE, Customer Support, Airplane Business Unit, Tarbes Cedex 9, France 65921; phone: (833) 826-2273; email: tbmcare@daher.com; website: daher.com. (4) 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 (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email: fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on June 12, 2023. Ross Landes, Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-12914 Filed 6-15-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P