[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U