[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17591]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 20, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-48-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, and 
-320 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive that is applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -
300, and -320 series airplanes. This proposal would require 
modification of the wiring in the elevator controls and the pitch trim 
dissymmetry monitoring equipment. This proposal is prompted by a report 
of loss of a propeller and engine gearbox, which resulted in damage to 
the fuselage. There has also been a report that a modification was 
implemented in the elevator control cables during manufacture, which 
reduced the maximum physical separation between the elevator controls 
and the monitoring equipment. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to prevent reduced controllability of the airplane in the 
event that debris from an engine burst or propeller failure were to 
strike the fuselage and sever the elevator flight controls.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 22, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-48-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 
03, France. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sam Grober, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-1187; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 94-NM-48-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 94-NM-48-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -
300, and -320 series airplanes. The DGAC advises of a recent incident 
involving a Model ATR42-300 in which loss of a propeller and engine 
gearbox damaged the fuselage in the right-hand propeller plane of 
rotation. The DGAC also advises that a modification was implemented in 
the elevator control cables during manufacture that reduced the maximum 
physical separation between the elevator controls and the monitoring 
equipment. This reduced separation could allow severing of the elevator 
flight controls in the event that debris from an engine burst or 
propeller failure were to strike the fuselage. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
    Aerospatiale has issued Service Bulletins ATR42-27-0068, and ATR42-
27-0069, both dated January 25, 1994, that describe procedures for 
rerouting the wiring between the normal mechanical pitch controls and 
the normal electric pitch trim controls, and between the normal 
mechanical pitch controls and the pitch trim dissymmetry monitoring 
equipment. Accomplishment of this modification is intended to restore 
maximum physical separation between the elevator controls and the 
monitoring equipment. The DGAC has issued French Airworthiness 
Directive 93-205-052(B), as revised by Erratum, dated February 2, 1994, 
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the applicable 
bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral 
airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed of the 
situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the 
DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action 
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require modification of the 
wiring in the elevator controls and the pitch trim dissymmetry 
monitoring equipment. The actions would be required to be accomplished 
in accordance with the service bulletins described previously.
    The FAA estimates that 110 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 49 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would be 
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $296,450, or $2,695 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Aerospatiale: Docket 94-NM-48-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 series airplanes; 
as listed in Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0068 and ATR42-
27-0069, both dated January 25, 1994; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the wiring in the elevator controls and the pitch trim dissymmetry 
monitoring equipment, in accordance with Aerospatiale Service 
Bulletin ATR42-27-0068 or ATR42-27-0069, both dated January 25, 
1994, as applicable.
    (b) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 13, 1994.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-17591 Filed 7-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U