[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 8 (Thursday, January 11, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1015-1017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-394]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-84-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 Series
Airplanes and Model ATR72 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 (AD) that is applicable to all Aerospatiale Model ATR42
series airplanes and Model ATR72 series airplanes. This proposal would
require replacement of the attachment clips on the wing-to-fuselage
fairings and on the upper cowlings of the engine nacelle with new
improved attachment clips. This proposal also would require adding cup
washers on the wing-to-fuselage fairing panels on certain airplanes.
This proposal is prompted by a report of deformed attachment clips
found on the wing-to-fuselage fairings and on the upper cowlings of the
engine nacelle. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended
to prevent deformation of the attachment clips due to insufficient
strength of the attachment clip material. Such deformation of the
attachment clips could result in the fairings and cowlings detaching
from the airplane during flight and subsequently causing damage to the
empennage or posing a hazard to persons or property on the ground.
DATES: Comments must be received by February 20, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-84-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: 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) 227-1320.
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
[[Page 1016]]
postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket
Number 95-NM-84-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. 95-NM-84-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 series
airplanes and Model ATR72 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that it
has received a report of deformed attachment clips found on the wing-
to-fuselage fairings and on the upper cowlings of the engine nacelle.
Investigation has revealed that the attachment clips were deformed due
to insufficient strength of the attachment clip material. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in the fairings and cowlings
detaching from the airplane in flight, and subsequently causing damage
to the empennage. Such items departing the airplane could also pose a
hazard to persons and property on the ground.
Aerospatiale has issued Service Bulletins ATR42-53-0081, Revision
1, dated December 9, 1994 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes) and ATR72-
53-1043, Revision 1, dated December 9, 1994 (for Model ATR72 series
airplanes). These service bulletins describe procedures for replacing
the existing attachment clips on the wing-to-fuselage fairings and on
the upper cowlings of the engine nacelle with new clips that are
manufactured with an improved material; this will prevent deformation
of the clips. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory
and issued French airworthiness directives 94-162-056(B), dated July 6,
1994 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes); and 94-161-021(B), dated July
6, 1994 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
Aerospatiale also issued Service Bulletins ATR42-53-0082, dated
June 6, 1994 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes); and ATR72-53-1044,
dated June 6, 1994 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes). These service
bulletins describe procedures for adding cup washers under the fastener
countersunk holes, which improve the panel bonding. These service
bulletins also describe replacing the clip system with a system
equipped with a spring which causes screw head misalignment when the
screws are not tightened, which will enable checking to ensure correct
installation of these parts. The DGAC has approved these service
bulletins, but has not classified them as mandatory.
Those airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 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 those type designs 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 designs registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require replacement of the
existing attachment clips on the wing-to-fuselage fairings and on the
engine nacelle upper cowlings with new and improved attachment clips
for certain airplanes. The proposed AD would also require adding cup
washers under the fastener countersunk holes, as well as, replacement
of the existing attachment clips on the wing-to-fuselage fairings and
on the engine nacelle upper cowlings with new and improved attachment
clips for certain other airplanes. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described
previously.
Operators should note that the applicability of this proposed
action would include certain additional airplanes that are not
addressed in the corresponding French airworthiness directives,
described previously. The FAA has included these additional airplanes
since it has determined that the unsafe condition described in this
proposed rulemaking action is likely to exist or develop on these
airplanes.
The FAA estimates that 145 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 20 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The manufacturer would provide
required parts at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the
total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to
be $174,000, or $1,200 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. 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Aerospatiale: Docket 95-NM-84-AD.
Applicability: All Model ATR42 series airplanes and Model ATR72
series airplanes, certificated in any category.
[[Page 1017]]
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 (f) 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 deformation of the attachment clips on the wing-to-
fuselage fairings and on the upper cowlings of the engine nacelle,
which could result in the fairings and cowlings detaching from the
airplane during flight and subsequently causing damage to the
empennage or posing a hazard to persons or property on the ground,
accomplish the following:
(a) For Model ATR42 series airplanes on which Modification 2601
(Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-53-0063) has been installed:
Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the
existing attachment clips at the wing-to-fuselage fairings and the
engine nacelle upper cowlings with new attachment clips, in
accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-53-0081,
Revision 1, dated December 9, 1994.
(b) For Model ATR42 series airplanes on which Modification 2601
(Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-53-0063) has not been
installed: Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD,
install cup washers (NAS1169C10) on the wing-to-fuselage fairing
panels and replace the existing attachment clips at the wing-to-
fuselage fairings and the engine nacelle upper cowlings with new
attachment clips, in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin
ATR42-53-0082, dated June 6, 1994.
(c) For Model ATR72 series airplanes on which Modification 2601
(Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR72-53-1008) has been installed:
Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the
existing attachment clips at the wing-to-fuselage fairings and the
engine nacelle upper cowlings with new attachment clips, in
accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR72-53-1043,
Revision 1, dated December 9, 1994.
(d) For Model 72 series airplanes on which Modification 2601
(Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR72-53-1008) has not been
installed: Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD,
install cup washers (NAS1169C10) on the wing-to-fuselage fairing
panels and replace the existing attachment clips at the wing-to-
fuselage fairings and the engine nacelle upper cowlings with new
attachment clips, in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin
ATR72-53-1044, dated June 6, 1994.
(e) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
an attachment clip, part number S5391010000000 or part number
S5391009400000, on any airplane.
(f) 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.
(g) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 4, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-394 Filed 1-10-96; 8:45 am]
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