[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 117 (Wednesday, June 18, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36525-36526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15338]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-169-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-500 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 certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-
500 and ATR72 series airplanes. This proposal would require inspecting 
the wire bundle in the area of electrical rack 90VU to detect damage, 
verifying that the conduit around the wire bundle is in the proper 
position, and installing a clamp between the wire bundles and the 
carbon shelves structure. This action is necessary to prevent chafing 
of a wire bundle, which could result in an electrical short and 
potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 18, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-169-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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. 2002-NM-169-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 or 2000 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer; 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] 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 Number 2002-NM-169-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 No. 2002-NM-169-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 certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-500 and ATR72 
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, after parking a Model ATR42-
500 series airplane with the right-hand engine on, the flightcrew tried 
unsuccessfully to start the left-hand engine. Investigation revealed 
wire chafing on electrical rack 90VU between the carbon structure of 
the 95VU shelf and the main wire bundle. This chafing led to a short 
circuit, which burned several wires of the bundle (including the left-
hand engine ignition circuits) and the protective sheath (conduit). It 
was determined that the chafing and subsequent electrical short circuit 
probably occurred when the wire bundle on the shelf was mispositioned 
during maintenance, and that this wire bundle is susceptible to such 
mispositioning. This created a direct contact between the wire bundle 
and the carbon shelf (an abrasive structure). This condition could also 
exist on shelves 93VU and 94VU and, if not corrected, could result in 
the loss of several functions essential for safe flight.
    The design of the wire bundle routing is the same on Model ATR42-
500 and ATR72 series airplanes; therefore, these airplane models are 
subject to the identified unsafe condition.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Avions de Transport Regional Service 
Bulletins ATR42-92-0007 (for Model ATR42-500 series airplanes) and 
ATR72-92-1007 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), both dated January 
25, 2002. These service bulletins describe procedures for inspecting 
the wire bundles in the area of electrical rack 90VU to detect damage, 
verifying that the conduit around the wire bundles is in the proper 
position, and installing a clamp between the wire bundles and the 
carbon shelves structure (93VU, 94VU, 95VU). Accomplishment of the 
actions specified in the applicable service bulletins is intended to 
adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified 
these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness 
directives 2002-090-092(B) and 2002-091-066(B), both

[[Page 36526]]

dated February 20, 2002, 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 the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has 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.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously. The 
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
service bulletins described previously, except as discussed below.

Difference Between Proposed AD and Service Bulletins

    The service bulletins do not provide procedures to repair damaged 
wiring. This proposed AD would require that damaged wiring be repaired 
in accordance with the applicable ATR Aircraft Schematic Manual, 
Chapter 20-27-17, dated October 1, 1995.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the Proposed AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance (AMOCs). It is not necessary to include this material in 
each individual AD; however, the office authorized to approve AMOCs is 
identified in paragraph (b) of this proposed AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 86 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $259 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $42,914, 
or $499 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 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 2002-NM-169-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR42-500 and ATR72 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, on which ATR Modification 1447 has 
been incorporated and ATR Modification 4840 has not been 
incorporated.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent chafing of a wire bundle in the area of electrical 
rack 90VU, which could result in an electrical short and potential 
loss of several functions essential for safe flight, accomplish the 
following:

Modification

    (a) Within 500 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a detailed inspection to 
detect damage of the wire bundles in the area of electrical rack 
90VU, ensure that the conduit around the wire bundles is in the 
proper position, and install a clamp between the wire bundles and 
the carbon shelves structure (94VU, 94VU, 95VU); in accordance with 
Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-92-0007 (for 
Model ATR42-500 series airplanes) or ATR72-92-1007 (for Model ATR72 
series airplanes), both dated January 25, 2002, as applicable. 
Repair any damaged wiring before further flight in accordance with 
Chapter 20-27-17 of the applicable ATR Aircraft Schematic Manual, 
dated October 1, 1995.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods 
of compliance for this AD.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2002-090-092(B) and 2002-091-066(B), both 
dated February 20, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 12, 2003.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-15338 Filed 6-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U