[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 26, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60018-60019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29989]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-140-AD; Amendment 39-9836; AD 96-24-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR72 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 Aerospatiale Model ATR72 series airplanes, that 
requires modification of the pitch uncoupling mechanism of both 
elevators. This amendment is prompted by reports of fatigue cracking of 
the pitch uncoupling mechanism and the torque tube of the elevator. 
Failure of the pitch uncoupling mechanism due to fatigue cracking could 
result in the uncommanded uncoupling of the elevators. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent such fatigue cracking and 
subsequent uncommanded uncoupling of the elevators, which could result 
in reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective December 31, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 31, 1996.

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 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 19, 
1996 (61 FR 42825). That action proposed to require modification of the 
elevator uncoupling mechanism.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 51 Aerospatiale Model ATR72 series airplanes 
of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 55 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The 
required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the 
operator. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $168,300, or $3,300 per airplane.
    The 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.

Regulatory Impact

    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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13   [Amended]

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

96-24-12  Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-9836. Docket 96-NM-140-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211, and -212 
series airplanes on which Modification 4495 or Aerospatiale Service 
Bulletin ATR 72-27-1044 has not been accomplished; certificated in 
any category.

    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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent uncoupling of the elevators due to failure of the 
elevator coupling mechanism and resultant reduced controllability of 
the airplane, accomplish the following:

[[Page 60019]]

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 12,000 total landings, or 
within 1,000 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later: Modify the elevator uncoupling mechanism in accordance 
with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1044, dated March 5, 
1996.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a pitch uncoupling mechanism of the elevator, having the following 
part numbers, on any airplane:

S2738194100800
S2738194102895
S2738194102200
S2738194102400
S2738194102800
S2738194103200

    (c) 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, 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.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The modification shall be done in accordance with 
Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1044, dated March 5, 1996. 
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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 31, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 18, 1996.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-29989 Filed 11-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U