Lube your TBM flap actuators, pilots—FAA orders
Published Date: 2/4/2025
Rule
Summary
If you own a DAHER TBM 700 airplane, listen up! The FAA found that a part inside the flap actuator can wear out and cause trouble. Starting March 11, 2025, you’ll need to clean, lubricate, and check this part, replacing it if it’s loose. This keeps your plane safe and flying smoothly without breaking the bank.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Required drive-nut replacement (terminating action)
If a measurement finds play in the inner flap actuator drive nut, you must replace the left- and right-hand drive nuts before further flight. Replacing the drive nuts also ends the need for the repetitive cleaning/measurement requirements provided no LH flap actuator P/N 1-5295-B or RH flap actuator P/N 2-5295-B is later installed. The FAA estimates replacing both drive nuts costs $540 per airplane (4 work-hours at $85/hr = $340 labor plus $200 parts).
Mandatory recurring flap-actuator checks
If you own or operate a DAHER TBM 700 airplane (all serial numbers except those with DAHER MOD 70-0777-27), starting March 11, 2025 you must clean and lubricate the left- and right-hand internal flap actuator rods and measure play at set intervals. The AD requires these actions at intervals not to exceed 400 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 12 months (whichever occurs first), with an initial option to do the work within 10 hours TIS after March 11, 2025; the FAA estimates each clean/lubricate action costs $85 and each play measurement costs $85 per airplane per cycle and the AD affects 807 U.S.-registered airplanes.
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