AD 97-20-11 62 FR 51019

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Socata--Groupe Aerospatiale (Socata) Model TBM 700 airplanes. This AD requires removing the main landing gear (MLG) inboard doors and the door locking control mechanism (MOD 70-065-32). This AD is the result of an incident on one of the affected airplanes where the MLG inboard door locking hooks (hinges) corroded, caused the doors to jam, and prevented the MLG from extending. The Federal Aviation Administration's analysis reveals that removing the MLG inboard doors will not cause any airplane safety or performance problems. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the MLG from failing to extend because of corroded MLG inboard locking hinges, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing operations.