[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21699-21700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10725]



[[Page 21699]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-380-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, -
320, -500, 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 all Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, 
-300, -320, -500, and ATR72 series airplanes. This proposal would 
require a revision of the Airplane Flight Manual to add instructions 
that prohibit the flightcrew from selecting the reverse position on the 
engines in the event of propeller thrust dissymmetry. This action is 
necessary to ensure that the flightcrew is advised of the hazard 
associated with selecting reverse thrust during propeller thrust 
dissymmetry, which could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane during landing. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 31, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-380-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-380-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1175; 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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 2000-NM-380-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 2000-NM-380-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 all Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, -
500, and ATR72 series airplanes. The DGAC advises of an incident in 
which a Model ATR42-320 series airplane swerved off the runway. At the 
time of the incident, the ``low pitch'' condition was not equally 
effective for both engines. The resulting propeller thrust dissymmetry, 
combined with the flightcrew's concurrent selection of reverse thrust, 
resulted in the reduced controllability of the airplane during landing.
    The design of Model ATR42 and ATR72 series airplanes is similar, 
and these airplanes incorporate similar equipment including engines and 
propellers; therefore, these airplanes are subject to the identified 
unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination

    In light of this information, the FAA finds that certain procedures 
should be amended in the FAA-approved airplane flight manual (AFM) for 
the affected airplanes prohibiting the flightcrew from selecting the 
reverse position on the engines in the event of propeller thrust 
dissymmetry. We have determined that the current AFMs for these 
airplanes do not adequately define such procedures.
    The DGAC has mandated this AFM revision and issued French 
airworthiness directives 2000-436-080(B) and 2000-437-052(B), both 
dated October 18, 2000, to ensure 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 us informed of the 
situation described above. We have 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of this same type design. Therefore, we are 
proposing to adopt this AD, which

[[Page 21700]]

would require revising the Normal Procedures section of the AFM.

Cost of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD would affect 69 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The proposed actions would take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to 
be $4,140, or $60 per airplane.
    We base these cost estimates on assumptions that no operator has 
yet done any of the actions in this proposed AD, and that no operator 
would do those actions in the future unless this proposed AD is 
adopted. The cost figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent 
only the time necessary to do the specific actions required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required for access and close, or for planning or other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 2000-NM-380-AD.

    Applicability: All Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, -500, and ATR72 
series airplanes; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To ensure that the flightcrew is advised of the hazard 
associated with selecting reverse thrust during propeller thrust 
dissymmetry, which could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane during landing, accomplish the following:

Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (a) Within 5 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Normal Procedures section of the FAA-approved AFM, under 
``APPROACH AND LANDING,'' to include the following. This may be 
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

``NORMAL LANDING

     After nose wheel touchdown

Both PL--GI
Both LO PITCH lights--Check illuminated

    CAUTION: If a thrust dissymmetry occurs or if one LO PITCH light 
is not illuminated, the use of any reverse is not allowed.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 Operations Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 1: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) 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 2: French airworthiness directives 2000-436-080(B) and 
2000-437-052(B), both dated October 18, 2000, also address the 
subject of this AD.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 24, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-10725 Filed 4-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U