[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 152 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42222-42223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21102]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-146-AD; Amendment 39-10698; AD 98-16-21]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 series
airplanes, that requires one-time inspections to verify the correct
shape of the stiffeners for the upper engine cowl and to detect wear of
the aft upper fittings of the rear engine mounts, and corrective
actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended
to prevent wear (scratches or grooving) of the aft upper fittings of
the rear engine mount, and consequent reduced structural integrity of
the engine mounts.
DATES: Effective September 11, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 11, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex
03, France. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington,
DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42
and ATR72 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
June 12, 1998 (63 FR 32152). That action proposed to require one-time
inspections to verify the correct shape of the stiffeners for the upper
engine cowl and to detect wear of the aft upper fittings of the rear
engine mounts, and corrective actions, if necessary.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 152 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 15 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $136,800, or $900 per
airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-16-21 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10698. Docket 98-NM-146-AD.
Applicability: Model ATR42 and Model ATR72 series airplanes, as
listed in Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletins ATR42-54-
0019 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes) and ATR72-54-1011 (for Model
ATR72 series airplanes), both dated March 9, 1998; certificated in
any category.
[[Page 42223]]
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent wear (scratches or grooving) of the aft upper
fittings of the rear engine mount, and consequent reduced structural
integrity of the engine mounts, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 10 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a one-time visual inspection of the stiffeners for the upper
left and right engine cowls to ensure the stiffeners have the
correct lower edge profile, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-
54-0019 or ATR72-54-1011, both dated March 9, 1998, as applicable.
(1) If the lower edge profile of the stiffener meets the
specifications of the applicable service bulletin, no further action
is required by this paragraph.
(2) If the lower edge profile of the stiffener does not meet the
specifications of the applicable service bulletin, prior to further
flight, modify or replace the stiffener with a new stiffener in
accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
(b) Within 10 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a one-time detailed visual inspection for wear (scratches or
grooving) of the aft upper fittings of the left-and right-hand rear
engine mounts, in accordance with Avions de Transport Regional
Service Bulletin ATR42-54-0019 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes) or
ATR72-54-1011 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), both dated March
9, 1998, as applicable.
(1) If no wear is detected, no further action is required by
this paragraph.
(2) If any wear is detected that cannot be removed with a Type I
or II blend-out as described in the applicable service bulletin,
prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved
by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate.
(3) If any wear other than that specified in paragraph (b)(2) of
this AD is detected, prior to further flight, repair in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service
bulletin.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(e) Except as provided by paragraph (b)(2) of this AD, the
actions shall be done in accordance with Avions de Transport
Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-54-0019, dated March 9, 1998, or
Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-54-1011, dated
March 9, 1998, as applicable. This incorporation by reference was
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from
Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, edex 03, France.
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directives 98-069-073(B) (for Model ATR42 series
airplanes), dated February 11, 1998; and 98-071-035(B) (for Model
ATR72 series airplanes), dated February 11, 1998, as revised by
Erratum 98-071-35(B), dated February 25, 1998.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on September 11, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 31, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-21102 Filed 8-6-98; 8:45 am]
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