[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 20, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48626-48628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22458]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-148-AD; Amendment 39-9364; AD 95-19-03]


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR 42-300 and 42-
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), 
applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-300 and -320 series 
airplanes. This action requires modification of the electrical wire 
bundle associated with the smoke detection system. This amendment is 
prompted by a report of a short circuit in this electrical wire bundle, 
which was caused by chafing of the wire against a smoke detection pipe. 
The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent such chafing, 
which could result in short circuits of the electrical wire bundle and 
a potential fire hazard.

DATES: Effective October 5, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 5, 1995.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before November 20, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-148-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: 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: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile 

[[Page 48627]]
(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 there has been a report of a short circuit of the 
electrical wire bundle between frames 16 and 21 on an in-service 
airplane equipped with an interior modified for a container cargo 
compartment. The crew reported that there was an electrical smoke 
warning indication, which was associated with multiple system failure 
indications and the popping of circuit breakers. The short circuit was 
caused by chafing of the 1M wire bundle against a smoke detection pipe. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in a fire.
    Aerospatiale has issued Service Bulletin ATR42-25-0094, dated June 
23, 1995, which describes procedures for modifying the smoke detection 
system. The modification consists of (1) replacing the smoke detection 
pipe in the forward cargo compartment at Frame 16, and (2) installing 
spacers between the electrical wire bundle (route 1M) and the smoke 
detection pipe from Frame 16 to Frame 21. The DGAC classified this 
service bulletin as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 
(CN) 95-103-059(B), dated May 24, 1995, 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 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) 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 chafing in the 
electrical wire bundle associated with the smoke detection system. This 
AD requires modification of the smoke detection system by replacing the 
smoke detection pipe in the forward cargo compartment, and installing 
spacers between the electrical wire bundle and the smoke detection 
pipe. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with 
the service bulletin described previously.
    None of the Model ATR42-300 or -320 series airplanes affected by 
this action is on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the 
applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators 
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by 
this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary 
to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any 
of these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register 
in the future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 4 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no 
charge to operators. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
this AD would be $240 per airplane.
    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and 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 95-NM-148-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.
    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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

95-19-03 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-9364. Docket 95-NM-148-AD.


[[Page 48628]]

    Applicability: Model ATR42-300 and -320 series airplanes; as 
listed and described in Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-25-0094, 
dated June 23, 1995; 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 (b) 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 chafing of the wire bundle associated with the smoke 
detection system, which could result in short circuits in the 
electrical wire bundle and a potential fire hazard, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 2,400 flight hours or 12 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, modify the smoke detection 
system in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-25-
0094, dated June 23, 1995.
    (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 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.

    (c) 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.
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with 
Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-25-0094, dated June 23, 1995. 
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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 5, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 5, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-22458 Filed 9-19-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U