[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42577-42578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17774]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-401-AD; Amendment 39-13233; AD 2003-14-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model 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 ATR72 series airplanes, that 
requires installing brackets and ramps under floor panels between 
frames 23C and 23D and installing wire bundles on the ramps. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent chafing damage to 
the electrical wire cables, which could lead to an electrical short 
circuit and potential for a fire under the floor panels. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 22, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 22, 2003.

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: 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: 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 ATR72 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 11, 
2003 (68 FR 17755). That action proposed to require installing brackets 
and ramps under floor panels between frames 23C and 23D and installing 
wire bundles on the ramps.

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 adoption of the 
rule as proposed.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the 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. However, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we 
have retained the language of the NPRM regarding that material.

Cost Impact

    After the proposed AD was issued, we reviewed the figures we use to 
calculate the labor rate to do the required actions. To account for 
various inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it 
appropriate to increase the labor rate used in these calculations from 
$60 to $65 per work hour. The economic impact information below has 
been revised to reflect this increase in the specified hourly labor 
rate.
    The FAA estimates that 65 Aerospatiale Model ATR 72 series 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $1,844 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$145,210, or $2,234 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.

[[Page 42578]]

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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-14-14 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-13233. Docket 2001-NM-401-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR72 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category; except those airplanes on which modification 5297 has been 
accomplished in production, or on which Avions de Transport Regional 
(ATR) Service Bulletin ATR72-92-1006, dated September 28, 2001, has 
been accomplished in service.

    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 chafing damage to the electrical wire cables, which 
could lead to an electrical short circuit and potential for a fire 
under the floor panels, accomplish the following:

Installation

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of 
this AD, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Avions de Transport 
Regional (ATR) Service Bulletin ATR72-92-1006, dated September 28, 
2001.
    (1) Install brackets and ramps under floor panels between frames 
23C and 23D.
    (2) Install wire bundles on the ramps.

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, 
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 
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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Avions de 
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-92-1006, dated September 
28, 2001. 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 2001-505-059(B), dated October 17, 2001.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 22, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 8, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-17774 Filed 7-17-03; 8:45 am]
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