[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 19, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7384-7385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3967]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-141-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and 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 certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42
and ATR72 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of
the handle of the passenger/crew door to change the ``down-to-open''
configuration of the handle to an ``up-to-open'' configuration. This
proposal is prompted by a report indicating that, immediately after
takeoff, the passenger/crew door opened and separated from the
airplane, due to the inadvertent operation of the door handle. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent
inadvertent opening of the passenger/crew door during unpressurized
flight, or delays in opening the door during an emergency evacuation.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 31, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-141-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) 227-1149.
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 postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 96-NM-141-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. 96-NM-141-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report indicating that, immediately after
takeoff, a passenger/crew door separated from an Aerospatiale Model
ATR72 series airplane. Investigation revealed that the door may have
separated from the airplane due to inadvertent operation of the door
handle. That passenger/crew door had been modified (Aerospatiale
Modification 04019) to change the normal closing position (``down-to-
lock'') to a ``down-to-open'' configuration. Consequently, the FAA
reviewed the operation of the door handle in the ``down-to-open''
configuration and has determined that the reversed direction of
operation of a handle in this configuration may cause confusion during
an emergency evacuation. Additionally, the normal ``up-to-open'' motion
of a handle requires that deliberate action be taken to open the
passenger/crew door, while the ``down-to-open'' motion of a door handle
could permit inadvertent opening of the door by a person leaning or
falling on the handle while the airplane is flying unpressurized.
(Normal cabin pressurization during flight will prevent operation of
the door handle.)
The ``reversed'' configuration of the door handle, described above,
could result in the inadvertent opening of the passenger/crew door
during unpressurized flight, or delays in opening the door during an
emergency evacuation.
The configuration and operation of the handle of the passenger/crew
door in Aerospatiale Model ATR72 series airplanes are similar in design
to those
[[Page 7385]]
installed on the Aerospatiale Model ATR42 series airplanes; therefore,
both of those models may be subject to this same unsafe condition.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Aerospatiale has released two Aerospatiale Service Bulletins ATR42-
52-0072 and ATR72-52-1040, both dated October 2, 1995, which describe
procedures for modifying the ``down-to-open'' configuration of the
handle of the passenger/crew door to an ``up-to-open'' configuration.
If the airplane is flying unpressurized, this modification will prevent
inadvertent opening of the door in flight by a person leaning or
falling on the handle and, during an emergency evacuation, will
eliminate any confusion concerning the direction in which the handle
moves to an open position.
U.S. Type Certification of the Airplane
These 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.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
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, the proposed AD would require modification of the
handle of the passenger/crew door to change the ``down-to-open''
configuration to an ``up-to-open'' configuration. The actions would be
required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins
described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 16 Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 series
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that
it would take approximately 15 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work
hour. Required parts would be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost
to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $14,400, or $900 per
airplane.
The 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.
Regulatory Impact
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), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Aerospatiale: Docket 96-NM-141-AD.
Applicability: Model ATR42 and ATR72 series airplanes on which
Aerospatiale Modification 04019 has 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 (b) 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 inadvertent opening of the passenger/crew door during
unpressurized flight, or delays in opening the passenger/crew door
during an emergency evacuation; accomplish the following:
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the handle of the passenger/crew door by changing its configuration
to an oup-to-openo configuration in accordance with Aerospatiale
Service Bulletin ATR42-52-0072 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes),
or ATR72-52-1040 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), both dated
October 2, 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 11, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-3967 Filed 2-18-97; 8:45 am]
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