[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18155-18156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9760]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-64-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 replacement of 
the left longitudinal net of the forward cargo compartment with a new 
reinforced net. 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 blockage of the access door, which could restrict access for 
crewmembers between the flight deck and the passenger compartment 
during normal operations or an emergency evacuation.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 14, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-64-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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
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-64-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-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 97-NM-64-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 ATR42 and ATR72 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that the left longitudinal cargo net 
could distort under the weight of the cargo or baggage, and protrude 
into the area where the access door between the passenger compartment 
and the forward baggage compartment swings open. As a result, this 
access door may become blocked with improperly loaded or shifting cargo 
or baggage. This condition, if not corrected, could result in blockage 
of the access door between the passenger compartment and the forward 
cargo compartment, which could restrict access for crewmembers between 
the flight deck and the passenger compartment during normal operations 
or an emergency evacuation.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Aerospatiale has issued Service Bulletin ATR42-25-0108, dated 
January 24, 1997; Revision 1, dated February 28, 1997; and Revision 2, 
dated July 1, 1997 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes); and ATR72-25-
1052, dated February 11, 1997; and Revision 1, dated July 1, 1997 (for 
Model ATR72 series airplanes; which describe procedures for replacing 
the left longitudinal net in the forward cargo compartment with a new, 
stronger net that will not stretch under load. Accomplishment of the 
action specified in the service bulletins is intended to adequately 
address the identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified these 
service bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness 
directives 96-289-069(B)R1 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes) and 96-
288-032(B)R1 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), both dated December 
18, 1996, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in France.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 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 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.

[[Page 18156]]

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 141 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, 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 $8,460, or $60 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-64-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR42-300 and -320 series airplanes, on 
which Aerospatiale Modification 1878, 2482, 3193, or 8154 has not 
been installed, or on which simultaneous installation of 
Modifications 0481 and 0588 has not been accomplished; and Model 
ATR72-102, -202, and -212 series airplanes on which Aerospatiale 
Modification 2482, 3193, or 4648 has not been installed; 
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 blockage of the access door, which could restrict 
access for crewmembers between the flight deck and the passenger 
compartment during normal operations or an emergency evacuation, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
existing cargo nets with new improved cargo nets, in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model ATR-42 series airplanes: Accomplish replacement of 
cargo nets in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-
25-0108, dated January 24, 1997; or Revision 1, dated February 28, 
1997; or Revision 2, dated July 1, 1997.
    (2) For Model ATR-72 series airplanes: Accomplish replacement of 
cargo nets in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR72-
25-1052, dated February 11, 1997; or Revision 1, dated July 1, 1997.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane any cargo net having one of the following part 
numbers: 5366, 5367, 5370, 5375, or 5579.
    (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, 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 96-289-069(B)R1 and 96-288-032(B)R1, both 
dated December 18, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 7, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9760 Filed 4-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P