[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 19, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36971-36972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16126]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-36-AD; Amendment 39-9301; AD 95-14-07]


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR72-100 and -200 
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 Model ATR72-100 and -200 series airplanes, that 
requires a one-time dye penetrant inspection to detect cracking in 
certain hinge pins of the nose landing gear (NLG), and replacement of 
cracked pins with crack-free pins. This amendment is prompted by 
reports of cracking of certain hinge pins in the NLG. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent collapse of the NLG due to 
cracking of the hinge pins.

DATES: Effective August 18, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 18, 1995.

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: Gary Lium, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-1112; fax (206) 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 ATR72-
100 and -200 series airplanes was published as a supplemental notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on March 22, 1995 
(60 FR 15084). That action proposed to require a one-time dye penetrant 
inspection to detect cracking in certain hinge pins in the nose landing 
gear (NLG), and replacement of cracked pins with crack-free pins.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 28 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 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 total cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,080, or $360 
per airplane.
    The total 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.
    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. 

[[Page 36972]]

    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. 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:

    95-14-07 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-9301. Docket 94-NM-36-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR72-100 and -200 series airplanes 
equipped with hinge pins installed at the nose landing gear (NLG) 
that are manufactured by Nardi, have part number D56867, and have 
serial numbers beginning with the letter ``N;'' certificated in any 
category.

    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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (e) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent collapse of the NLG due to cracking of the hinge 
pins, accomplish the following:
    (a) Perform a dye penetrant inspection to detect cracking in the 
hinge pins of the NLG in accordance with Avions de Transport 
Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-32-1021, dated January 17, 1994, at 
the time specified in either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) or this AD, 
as applicable.
    (1) For airplanes that have accumulated 10,000 total landings or 
more as of the effective date of this AD: Within 1,000 landings 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 10,000 total 
landings as of the effective date of this AD: Within 1,500 landings 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (b) If no cracking is found, prior to further flight, reinstall 
that hinge pin in accordance with Avions de Transport Regional 
Service Bulletin ATR72-32-1021, dated January 17, 1994.
    (c) If cracking is found, prior to further flight, install a new 
hinge pin or a pin that has been previously inspected and found to 
be crack-free, in accordance with the Avions de Transport Regional 
Service Bulletin ATR72-32-1021, dated January 17, 1994.
    (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no hinge pin 
manufactured by Nardi having part number D56867 and any serial 
number beginning with the letter ``N,'' shall be installed on the 
NLG of any airplane, unless that pin has been previously inspected 
and has been found to be crack-free, in accordance Avions de 
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-32-1021, dated January 17, 
1994.
    (e) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (f) 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.
    (g) The inspection and installations shall be done in accordance 
with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-32-1021, 
dated January 17, 1994. 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.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on August 18, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 26, 1995.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-16126 Filed 7-18-95; 8:45 am]
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