[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 67 (Friday, April 7, 2006)]
[Unknown Section]
[Pages 17700-17701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3199]



[[Page 17700]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23635; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-245-AD; 
Amendment 39-14546; AD 2006-07-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 Airplanes and 
Model ATR72 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42 airplanes and Model ATR72 airplanes. 
This AD requires installing protective ramps on trim panel 110VU; and 
inspecting the protective guard of the standby pitch trim switch to 
determine if it is missing, damaged, or ineffective, and doing the 
corrective action if necessary. This AD results from a finding that the 
protective guard of the standby pitch trim switch, which is installed 
on the center pedestal, could be damaged or missing. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent inadvertent activation of the standby pitch trim, 
which could result in pitch trim runaway and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 12, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of May 12, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 
03, France, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management 
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office 
(telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Aerospatiale 
Model ATR42 airplanes and Model ATR72 airplanes. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2006 (71 FR 3023). 
That NPRM proposed to require installing protective ramps on trim panel 
110VU; and inspecting the protective guard of the standby pitch trim 
switch to determine if it is missing, damaged, or ineffective, and 
doing the corrective action if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Explanation of Changes to Applicability

    We have corrected the applicability in paragraph (c) of the AD to 
reidentify the modification as ``ATR Modification 05450.''
    We have revised the applicability in paragraph (f) of the AD to 
identify model designations as published in the most recent type 
certificate data sheet for the affected models.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
changes described previously. We have determined that these changes 
will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase 
the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD affects about 69 airplanes of U.S. registry. The required 
actions will take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor 
rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost about $465 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. 
operators is $36,570, or $530 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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.

[[Page 17701]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-07-19 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-14546. Docket No. FAA-2006-
23635; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-245-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective May 12, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, 
and -500 airplanes, and Model ATR72-101, -201, -102, -202, -211, -
212, and -212A airplanes, certificated in any category; except those 
on which ATR Modification 05450 has been incorporated in production.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a finding that the protective guard of 
the standby pitch trim switch, which is installed on the center 
pedestal, could be damaged or missing. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent inadvertent activation of the standby pitch trim, which 
could result in pitch trim runaway and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Installation, Inspection, and Corrective Action If Necessary

    (f) Within 4 months after the effective date of this AD: Install 
protective ramps on trim panel 110VU; and do a general visual 
inspection of the protective guard of the standby pitch trim switch 
(18CG) to determine if it is missing, damaged, or ineffective, and 
do the corrective action if applicable; by accomplishing all the 
applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-92-0010, 
Revision 1, dated March 11, 2003 (for Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, 
and -500 airplanes); or Avions de Transport Regional Service 
Bulletin ATR72-92-1010, Revision 1, dated March 11, 2003 (for Model 
ATR72-101, -201, -102, -202, -211, -212, and -212A airplanes), as 
applicable. The corrective action, if required, must be done before 
further flight after the inspection.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain 
proximity to the area being checked.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (h) French airworthiness directive 2003-106(B) R1, dated April 
16, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin 
ATR42-92-0010, Revision 1, dated March 11, 2003; or Avions de 
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-92-1010, Revision 1, dated 
March 11, 2003; as applicable, to perform the actions that are 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. Avions de 
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-92-0010, Revision 1, dated 
March 11, 2003, includes the following effective pages:

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                Page Nos.                   Revision level  shown on page            Date shown  on page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 4, 5, 9, 13..........................  1...............................  March 11, 2003.
2, 3, 6-8, 10-12........................  Original........................  February 20, 2003.
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Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-92-1010, 
Revision 1, dated March 11, 2003, includes the following effective 
pages:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Page Nos.                   Revision level  shown on page            Date shown  on page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-3, 7, 11..............................  1...............................  March 11, 2003.
4-6, 8-10...............................  Original........................  February 20, 2003.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 
1 CFR part 51. Contact Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 
Toulouse, Cedex 03, France, for a copy of this service information. 
You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, 
Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 24, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-3199 Filed 4-6-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P