[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 236 (Tuesday, December 9, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64777-64778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32111]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-280-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale 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 certain Aerospatiale Model ATR72 
series airplanes. This proposal would require removal of certain 
landing gear attachment pins, and replacement of the pins with 
serviceable pins. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness 
authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent wear of the attachment pins, which could result in collapse of 
the main landing gear.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 8, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-280-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; or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; fax (425) 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 97-NM-280-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. 97-NM-280-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, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Aerospatiale Model ATR72 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that failed main landing gear (MLG) pins 
have been found during routine inspections. The failure has been traced 
to inadequate quality control of the MLG attachment pins during 
manufacture. Failure of the MLG attachment pins, if not corrected, 
could result in collapse of the MLG.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Aerospatiale has issued Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1036, and No. 
ATR72-32-1037, both dated June 19, 1996, which describe procedures for 
removal of certain attachment pins of the MLG, and replacement of the 
pins with serviceable pins. The Aerospatiale service bulletins 
reference Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-125, dated May 7, 
1996, and No. 631-32-126, dated May 7, 1996, as the appropriate sources 
of service information for accomplishment of these actions. The DGAC 
classified the Aerospatiale service bulletins as mandatory and issued 
French airworthiness directive 96-096-029(B), dated May 9, 1996, in 
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.

FAA's Conclusions

    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 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to

[[Page 64778]]

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.

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 accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 39 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 18 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $42,120, or $1,080 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 97-NM-280-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR72 series airplanes; as identified in 
Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1036, dated June 19, 
1996, and Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1037, dated 
June 19, 1996; 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 otherwise 
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 (d) 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 wear of the landing gear attachment pins, which could 
result in collapse of the main landing gear (MLG), accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, remove 
the MLG leg hinge pins and side brace assembly center pins having 
the part numbers (P/N) specified in paragraph B. of the Planning 
Information of Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1036, 
dated June 19, 1996; and replace the pins with serviceable pins, in 
accordance with the Aerospatiale service bulletin and Messier-Dowty 
Service Bulletin No. 631-32-125, dated May 7, 1996.
    (b) Prior to the accumulation of 15,000 landings since the last 
overhaul of the MLG, or within 8 years since the last overhaul of 
the MLG, whichever occurs first: Remove the MLG swinging lever/
barrel pins and shock absorber/universal joint hinge pins having the 
P/N's specified in paragraph B. of the Planning Information of 
Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1037, dated June 19, 
1996; and replace the pins with serviceable pins; in accordance with 
the Aerospatiale service bulletin and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 
No. 631-32-126, dated May 7, 1996.

    Note 2: Serviceable pins include those that have been removed, 
inspected, and marked with green paint in accordance with Messier-
Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-125, dated May 7, 1996; or 
Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-126, dated May 7, 1996; as 
applicable.

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
any MLG pin having a part number identified in Aerospatiale Service 
Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1036, dated June 19, 1996, or Aerospatiale 
Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1037, dated June 19, 1996, on any 
airplane unless that pin is considered to be serviceable in 
accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
    (d) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (e) 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 96-096-029(B), dated May 9, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 2, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-32111 Filed 12-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U