[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17856]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 27, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-99-AD; Amendment 39-8981; AD 94-15-10]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR 42-300 and -320 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-300 and -320 series 
airplanes. This action requires an inspection to verify that the cables 
supplying power to the aileron trim are adequately protected and to 
detect any damage to these cables. This amendment also requires 
installation of protective sleeves on unprotected cables, and 
replacement of damaged cables. This amendment is prompted by reports of 
a short circuit of these cables due to worn protective sleeves. The 
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent short circuiting 
of the cables that supply power to the aileron trim, which could lead 
to loss of aileron trim control.

DATES: Effective August 11, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 11, 1994.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before September 26, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-99-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056.
    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 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.

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: 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 ATR42-300 and -320 series airplanes. The DGAC 
advises that the cables that supply power to the aileron trim short-
circuited on an in-service airplane. Investigation revealed that the 
protective sleeve on these cables was worn. Short circuiting of the 
cables that supply power to the aileron trim, if not corrected, could 
result in loss of aileron trim control.
    Avions de Transport Regional has issued Service Bulletin ATR42-27-
0070, dated December 20, 1993, which describes procedures for visually 
inspecting to verify that the protective sleeve on the cables that 
supply power to the aileron trim adequately protect the cables, and to 
detect damaged cables. This service bulletin also contains instructions 
for replacing damaged cables with cables that have been modified in 
accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-27-
0014, Revision 2, dated December 20, 1993. This latter service bulletin 
describes procedures for installation of protective sleeves 
(Modification A0014) on cables that are not adequately protected. The 
DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French 
Airworthiness Directive 94-004-054(B), dated January 5, 1994, in order 
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 (14 CFR 21.29) 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, this AD is being issued to prevent loss of 
aileron trim control due to a short circuit in the cables that supply 
power to the aileron trim. This AD requires visually inspecting to 
verify that the cables that supply power to the aileron trim are 
adequately protected, and to detect damaged cables; replacing damaged 
cables with cables that have been previously modified; and installing 
protective sleeves on unprotected cables. The actions are required to 
be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described 
previously.
    This AD applies only to airplanes having manufacturer's serial 
numbers 003 through 072. For airplanes having manufacturer's serial 
numbers 073 and subsequent, a glass fabric adhesive tape has been 
applied to the cables prior to delivery of the airplane; therefore, 
these airplanes are not subject to the unsafe condition addressed by 
this AD action.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 94-NM-99-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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. 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:

94-15-10 AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-8981. Docket 94-NM-99-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR42-300 and -320 series airplanes having 
manufacturer's serial numbers 003 through 072, inclusive, 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of aileron trim control due to short circuiting 
of the cables that supply power to the aileron trim, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a visual inspection to verify that the cables, which supply power to 
the aileron trim, are adequately protected, in accordance with 
Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0070, dated 
December 20, 1993.
    (b) If the cables are adequately protected, no further action is 
required by this AD.
    (c) If any cable is not adequately protected, prior to further 
flight, perform a visual inspection to detect damage to the 
unprotected cable, in accordance with Avions de Transport Regional 
Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0070, dated December 20, 1993.
    (1) For any undamaged cable: Within 90 days after the effective 
date of this AD, install protective sleeves (Modification A0014) on 
the undamaged, unprotected cable, in accordance with Avions de 
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0014, Revision 2, dated 
December 20, 1993.
    (2) For any damaged cable: Prior to further flight, replace the 
damaged cable in accordance with Avions de Transport Regional 
Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0070, dated December 20, 1993, with 
cabling that has been previously modified (Modification A0014) in 
accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-
27-0014, Revision 2, dated December 20, 1993.
    (d) 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.

    (e) 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.
    (f) The inspection and replacement shall be done in accordance 
with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0070, 
dated December 20, 1993. The installation shall be done in 
accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-
27-0014, Revision 2, dated December 20, 1993. 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, 
Cedex 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on August 11, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 18, 1994.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-17856 Filed 7-26-94; 8:45 am]
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