SAIB CE-02-44 —

1 SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration No. CE-02-44 September 4, 2002 We post SAIBs on the internet at "av-info.faa.gov" This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory. Introduction This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) advises you, owners and operators of SOCATA TBM 700 airplanes, of issuance of Anjou Aeronautique Service Bulletin (SB) 343-1-25-01. Background The FAA conducted a review of Anjou Aeronautique Service Bulletin (SB) 343-1-25-01 that applies to certain seat belts installed in the SOCATA TBM 700. This review was done as research for a safety recommendation concerning these seat belts. While the safety recommendation, concerning seat belt unlatching, did not result in the determination of an unsafe condition by the FAA, the DGAC of France, after reviewing the seat belt and its design, decided to issue a French AD to address the situation identified in the service bulletin. After concluding its evaluation of the safety recommendation, the FAA has decided that an Airworthiness Directive is not appropriate at this time, but has decided to issue an SAIB to inform owners and operators of the TBM 700 about this situation. Owners/operators of SOCATA TBM 700 airplanes should also note that there have been Airworthiness Directives issued against these airplanes concerning other safety issues. Recommendations The service bulletin identified in this document is not considered appropriate for AD action at this time; however, the FAA strongly suggests that all owners/operators of the SOCATA TBM 700 airplanes review their compliance with the service bulletin listed below. Anjou Aeronautique Service Bulletin Number MODEL DATE TITLE 343-1-25-01 Seat belts of applicable model number installed in: SOCATA TBM 700 October 23, 2001 Safety Belts and Restraint Systems Type 343-1 The Service Bulletin Can Be Obtained From: SOCATA Aircraft, Groupe Aerospatiale, North Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road, Pembroke Pines, FL 33023; 954-893-1400 phone; 954-964-4141 facsimile or: Anjou Aeronautique, 13 Avenue De L’osier, 49125 Tierce, France; 011-33-241-42-88-92 phone; 011-33-241- 42-15-77 facsimile For Further Information Contact Karl M. Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Project Support Branch (ACE-112), Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust Street, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: [email protected]