[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 223 (Friday, November 17, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69441-69442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29378]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-259-AD; Amendment 39-11989; AD 98-09-16 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR-42 and ATR-72 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; rescission.

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SUMMARY: This amendment rescinds an existing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD), applicable to all Aerospatiale Model ATR-42 and ATR-72 series 
airplanes.

[[Page 69442]]

That AD currently requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual to add 
specific flightcrew instructions to be followed in the event of failure 
of the first generator, which could lead to the loss of main battery 
power and result in the loss of all electrical power, except the 
emergency battery supply, during flight. The requirements of that AD 
were intended to prevent failure of the second of two direct current 
generators after the failure of the first generator. Since the issuance 
of that AD, the FAA has received further information indicating that 
the incident that prompted that AD was an isolated case.

DATES: Effective November 17, 2000.

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 all Aerospatiale Model ATR-42 and 
ATR-72 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
November 9, 1999 (64 FR 61044). That action proposed to rescind AD 98-
09-16. Rescission of AD 98-09-16 constitutes only such action, and does 
not preclude the agency from issuing another notice in the future, nor 
would it commit the agency to any course of action in the future.

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

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the rescission of the 
rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 145 airplanes of U.S. registry are affected 
by AD 98-09-16. The actions that are currently required by that AD take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is 
approximately $8,700, or $60 per airplane. However, the adoption of 
this rescission will eliminate those costs.
    Removal of the AFM revision required by AD 98-09-16 will take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of removal of the AFM revision is estimated to be $8,700, or $60 
per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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, Safety.

The Rescission

    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 an AD which removes amendment 
39-10497, to read as follows:

98-09-16 R1  AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-11989. Docket No. 98-NM-259-
AD. Rescinds AD 98-09-16, Amendment 39-10497.

    Applicability: All Model ATR-42 and ATR-72 series airplanes; 
certificated in any category.

Effective Date

    This rescission is effective November 17, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 9, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-29378 Filed 11-16-00; 8:45 am]
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