[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 26, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28481-28482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13291]



[[Page 28481]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-24-AD; Amendment 39-10533; AD 98-11-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-300 and -320, 
and Model ATR72 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-300 and -320, and Model 
ATR72 series airplanes, that requires modification of the engine fuel 
drainage system. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness 
authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
fuel from overflowing into the engine nacelle, which could result in a 
fire in the nacelle.

DATES: Effective June 30, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 
03, France. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 
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: 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-
300 and -320, and Model ATR72 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on March 20, 1998 (63 FR 13574). That action proposed 
to require modification of the engine fuel drainage system.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 145 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    For Model ATR42-300 and -320 series airplanes (106 airplanes), it 
will take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this modification 
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $50,880, or 
$480 per airplane.
    For Model ATR72 series airplanes (39 airplanes), it will take 
approximately 15 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $1,499 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of this modification required by this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $93,561, or $2,399 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

98-11-06  Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10533. Docket 98-NM-24-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR42-300 and -320 series airplanes, on 
which Aerospatiale Modification 1696 (reference Avions de Transport 
Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-71-0010) has not been accomplished; 
and Model ATR72-101, -201, -102, -202, -211, and -212 series 
airplanes, on which Aerospatiale Modification 3742 (reference Avions 
de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-71-1006) has not 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 fuel from overflowing into the engine nacelle, which 
could result in a fire in the nacelle, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the engine fuel drainage system, in accordance with Avions

[[Page 28482]]

de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-71-0010, Revision 4, 
dated October 23, 1996 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes), or Avions 
de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-71-1006, Revision 1, 
dated October 21, 1996 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), as 
applicable.
    (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, 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.

    (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.
    (d) The modifications shall be done in accordance with the 
following Avions de Transport Regional service bulletins, which 
contain the following list of effective pages:

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                                        Page number                                                             
Service bulletin referenced and date   shown on page  Revision level shown on page       Date shown on page     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ATR72-71-1006, Revision 1, October            1, 2  1...........................  October 21, 1996.           
   21, 1996.                                                                                                    
                                                3-15  Original....................  September 29, 1995.         
  ATR42-71-0010, Revision 4, October      1, 2, 4, 7  4...........................  October 23, 1996.           
   23, 1996.                                                                                                    
                                               3, 15  1...........................  September 4, 1990.          
                                         5, 8-10, 14  Original....................  July 3, 1989.               
                                            6, 11-13  2...........................  January 30, 1991.           
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This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 
31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, France. Copies may be inspected 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 96-109-063 (B) and 96-110-030 (B), both 
dated June 5, 1996.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 30, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 13, 1998.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-13291 Filed 5-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P