[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27688-27690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13391]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-149-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
[[Page 27689]]
ATR72 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time
inspection of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter capacitors
and electronic cards of the cabin air recirculation fans to detect
damage. This proposal also would require replacement of damaged
components with new or serviceable parts, and modification of the cabin
air assembly fans. 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 overheating and consequent failure of the EMI filter
capacitors, which could result in emission of toxic smoke and fumes
throughout the airplane, and consequent adverse effects on flight crew
and passengers.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 19, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-149-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 98-NM-149-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. 98-NM-149-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 it has received several reports
of toxic smoke and fumes emitting into the passenger compartments.
Investigation revealed that the toxic smoke and fumes resulted from
excess thermal stress (overheating) of the electromagnetic interference
(EMI) filter capacitors on the electronic cards of the cabin air
recirculation fans, which are associated with the right and left air-
conditioning packs. The overheated EMI filter capacitors leaked
electrolyte onto the electronic cards of the air recirculation fans.
The electrolyte leakage caused short-circuiting, charring, and
corrosion of the electronic cards, emitting toxic smoke into the
passenger compartments. Such overheating and consequent failure of the
EMI filter capacitors, if not corrected, could result in emission of
toxic smoke and fumes throughout the airplane, and consequent adverse
effects on flight crew and passengers.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued Avions de Transport Regional Service
Bulletins ATR42-21-0069, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR42 series
airplanes), and ATR72-21-1048, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR72
series airplanes), which describe procedures for performing a one-time
visual inspection to detect damage of the EMI filter capacitors and
electronic cards of the cabin air recirculation fans of the left and
right air-conditioning packs. The service bulletins also describe
procedures for replacement of damaged components with new or
serviceable parts, and modification of the cabin air assembly fans.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins are
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The
DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French
airworthiness directive 98-070-074(B) (for Model ATR42 series
airplanes) and 98-073-037(B) (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), both
dated February 11, 1998, in order to assure the continued airworthiness
of these airplanes in France.
Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletins reference EG&G
Rotron Service Bulletin 011232500-21-1, dated December 12, 1997, as an
additional source of service information for accomplishment of the
modification.
FAA's Conclusions
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. 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.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action until final action is
identified, at which time the FAA may consider additional rulemaking.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 81 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this
[[Page 27690]]
proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work hours per airplane
to accomplish the proposed inspection, at an average labor rate of $60
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
inspection proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$14,580, or $180 per airplane.
It would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed modification at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. The cost of the required parts would be minimal. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the modification proposed by this AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,720, or $120 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 98-NM-149-AD.
Applicability: Model ATR42-300, -320, and -500 series airplanes,
as listed in Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-21-0069, dated
February 5, 1998; and Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211, -212,
and -212A series airplanes, as listed in Aerospatiale Service
Bulletin ATR72-21-1048, dated February 5, 1998; certificated in any
category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
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 overheating and consequent failure of the
electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter capacitors, which could
result in emission of toxic smoke and fumes throughout the airplane,
and consequent adverse effects on flight crew and passengers,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 11 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a one-time visual inspection to detect damage of the EMI
filter capacitors and electronic cards of the cabin air
recirculation fan of the right and left air-conditioning packs, in
accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-
21-0069, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes),
or ATR72-21-1048, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR72 series
airplanes), as applicable.
(1) If no discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight,
modify and re-identify each fan assembly, in accordance with the
applicable service bulletin.
(2) If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight,
replace the damaged components with new or serviceable components,
and modify and re-identify the fan assembly, in accordance with the
applicable service bulletin.
Note 2: Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-21-
0069, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes), and
ATR72-21-1048, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR72 series
airplanes), reference EG&G Rotron Service Bulletin 011232500-21-1,
dated December 12, 1997, as an additional source of service
information for accomplishment of the modification.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane a cabin air-conditioning recirculation Rotron fan
having part number (P/N) 011232500 Amend. A, or P/N 011494500 Amend.
A, on the left or right air-conditioning pack.
(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 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.
(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.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directives 98-070-074(B) and 98-073-037(B), both dated
February 11, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 14, 1998.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-13391 Filed 5-19-98; 8:45 am]
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