[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 25, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38532-38533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18258]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-08-AD; Amendment 39-12341; AD 2001-15-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, and 
-320 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 ATR42-200, -300, and -320 
series airplanes, that requires modifying the wiring of the starting 
rotary switch. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
the loss of electrical power supply of the direct current (DC) 
emergency and standby buses, which could result in the loss of some 
electrical loads and the consequent display of erroneous information to 
the flight crew. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 29, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 29, 2001.

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: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
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-
200, -300, and -320 series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on April 25, 2001 (66 FR 20768). That action proposed to 
require modifying the wiring of the starting rotary switch.

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 60 Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 series 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $14,400, or $240 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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, 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:

2001-15-07  Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-12341. Docket 2001-NM-08-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, except those modified in accordance 
with Modification 3047 or Avions de Transport Regional Service 
Bulletin ATR42-80-0001.

    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 the loss of electrical power supply of the direct 
current (DC) emergency and standby buses, which could result in the 
loss of some electrical loads and the consequent display of 
erroneous information to the flight crew, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the wiring of the starting rotary switch, in accordance with Avions 
de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-80-0001, Revision 2, 
dated November 15, 2000.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that

[[Page 38533]]

provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by 
the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA. 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.

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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with Avions de 
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-80-0001, Revision 2, dated 
November 15, 2000, which includes the specified list of effective 
pages in Table 1:

                    Table 1.--List of Effective Pages
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                               Revision level
           Page No.            shown on page       Date shown on page
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 1-6........................  2..............  November 15, 2000.
 7, 9-13....................  Original.......  March 19, 1992.
 8..........................  1..............  May 11, 1993.
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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 directive 2000-454-081(B), dated November 15, 2000.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 29, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 16, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-18258 Filed 7-24-01; 8:45 am]
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