FAA Issues AD on Socata TBM 700 Electrical System

The FAA has issued an Airworthiness Directive for the Socata TBM 700 electrical system. It is based upon a TBM700 operator report that as a result of a crewmember handling the standby compass lighting bulb cover in flight, both essential bus bars (ESS BUS 1 and ESS BUS 2) failed, leading to loss of a number of instruments and navigation systems. Investigation showed the electrical protection of some TBM 700s is insufficient to allow in-flight handling of the standby compass lighting cover when energized.