[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 136 (Thursday, July 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38286-38287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18772]



[[Page 38286]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-149-AD; Amendment 39-10663; AD 98-15-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and 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 and ATR72 series 
airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection of the electromagnetic 
interference (EMI) filter capacitors and electronic cards of the cabin 
air recirculation fans to detect damage. This amendment also requires 
replacement of damaged components with new or serviceable parts, and 
modification of the cabin air assembly fans. 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 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: Effective August 20, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 20, 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 
and ATR72 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 
20, 1998 (63 FR 27688). That action proposed to require a one-time 
inspection of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter capacitors 
and electronic cards of the cabin air recirculation fans to detect 
damage. That action also proposed to require replacement of damaged 
components with new or serviceable parts, and modification of the cabin 
air assembly fans.

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.

Explanation of Changes Made to This Final Rule

    In the applicability paragraph of the proposal, the FAA 
inadvertently referenced Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin 
ATR42-21-0069, dated February 5, 1998, and Avions de Transport Regional 
Service Bulletin ATR72-21-1048, dated February 5, 1998, as Aerospatiale 
Service Bulletins. Therefore, the FAA has revised the final rule 
accordingly.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule with the change previously described. 
The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

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 will be 
affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $14,580, or $180 per 
airplane.
    It will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required modification at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. The cost of the required parts will be minimal. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the modification required 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 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:


[[Page 38287]]


98-15-12  Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10663. Docket 98-NM-149-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR42-300, -320, and -500 series airplanes, 
as listed in Avions de Transport Regional 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 Avions de 
Transport Regional 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 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.
    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Avions de 
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-21-0069, dated February 5, 
1998, or Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-21-
1048, dated February 5, 1998, as applicable. 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 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.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 20, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 8, 1998.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18772 Filed 7-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U