[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1483-1485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32892]



[[Page 1483]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0080; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-189-AD; 
Amendment 39-18357; AD 2015-26-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; ATR--GIE Avions de Transport 
R[eacute]gional Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by several reports of a cracked floor beam at 
frame (FR) 26, and of discrepancies in certain wing inspection tasks in 
maintenance documents that could lead to errors in scheduling 
inspection intervals of structurally significant items (SSIs). This AD 
requires repetitive inspections of certain floor beams and revision of 
the maintenance or inspection program to include inspections of several 
areas of the wings. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct any 
cracking of the floor beam at FR 26 and several areas of the wings, 
which could lead to reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 17, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 17, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2015-0080 or in person at the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional, 1, All[eacute]e Pierre 
Nadot, 31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 (0) 5 62 21 62 21; 
fax +33 (0) 5 62 21 67 18; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.aerochain.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2015-0080.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; 
fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all ATR--GIE Avions de 
Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 airplanes. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on January 26, 2015 (80 FR 3921).
    European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2012-0193, dated September 25, 2012 (referred 
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all ATR--GIE Avions 
de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Floor beam at Frame 26: During maintenance checks, the floor 
beam at frame (FR) 26 was found cracked on several ATR 42 
aeroplanes.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
reduce the structural integrity of the aeroplane. A new Structural 
Significant Items (SSI) task will be introduced in the next revision 
of the ATR42 Time Limits document in order to address this issue.
    MRBR/MPD discrepancy on Wings item: A discrepancy has been 
noticed between the Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR)/
Maintenance Planning Document (MPD) and the Time Limits document. 
ATR modifications 02805 and 08039 were erroneously stated similar in 
the MRBR/MPD, inducing misleading applicability of the SSI tasks 
depending upon the document used and leading operators to miss 
several inspections, as evidenced during a recent review.
    Following the structural investigation, new inspection 
thresholds have been calculated and will be introduced in the next 
revisions of the ATR Time Limits documents (Revision 8 and Revision 
9, as applicable to the aeroplane models) and MRBR/MPD documents.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
repetitive inspections of the FR26 floor beam, and of several areas 
of the wings, as defined in the ATR42 Time Limits document and, 
depending on findings, the accomplishment of applicable corrective 
action(s).

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-0080-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comment received. The following 
presents the comment received on the NPRM (80 FR 3921, January 26, 
2015) and the FAA's response.

Request To Resolve Conflict Between the Effectivity of Certain Tasks 
and the Applicability of Paragraph (h) of This AD

    Empire Airlines requested that a conflict between the affected 
airplanes identified in paragraph (h) of the proposed AD (80 FR 3921, 
January 26, 2015) and the effectivity of certain SSI tasks listed in 
table 1 to paragraph (h) of the proposed AD be removed. Empire Airlines 
noted that paragraph (h) of the proposed AD would apply to Model ATR42 
airplanes on which ATR Modification 02805 was not embodied in 
production. The ATR MRBRs, however, identify certain SSI tasks as being 
effective only for airplanes on which ATR Modification 02805 has been 
embodied. Empire Airlines suggested that revising the NPRM to address 
this conflict could result in avoiding the need to request an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC).
    We agree and have revised table 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD to 
remove the tasks that are associated only with post-Modification 02805 
airplanes, i.e., tasks 572301-3 and -5 for Model ATR-42-200, -300, and 
-320 airplanes. As stated in the MCAI, the time limit documents and the 
MRBR/MPD documents will be updated to include the new compliance times.
    We have clarified paragraph (h) of this AD by replacing the text 
``incorporating the SSI tasks'' with the text ``incorporating the 
applicable SSI tasks and compliance times'' to match the title of table 
1 to paragraph (h) of this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the change described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (80 FR 3921,

[[Page 1484]]

January 26, 2015) for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 3921, January 26, 2015).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional (ATR) has issued Job 
Instruction Card 535100 DVI 10097, ``DVI of FR26 Floor Beam Around Cut-
outs for Cooling & Hydrau Ducts,'' dated February 9, 2012 (for Model 
ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -500 airplanes). The service information 
describes procedures for a detailed inspection for damage (cracks, 
corrosion, dents, scratches, scores and abrasions) of the floor beam at 
FR 26, on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) sides, and, for 
certain inspection findings, contacting the manufacturer for repair 
instructions. This service information is reasonably available because 
the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 31 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost 
of this AD on U.S. operators to be $10,540, per inspection cycle, or 
$340, per inspection cycle, per product.

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 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 the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2015-0080; or in person at the 
Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

2015-26-09 ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Amendment 
39-18357. Docket No. FAA-2015-0080; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-
189-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective February 17, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all ATR--GIE Avions de Transport 
R[eacute]gional (ATR) Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -500 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Codes 53, Fuselage; 
and 57, Wings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by several reports of a cracked floor beam 
at frame (FR) 26 on several Model ATR42 airplanes, and of 
discrepancies in certain wing inspection tasks in maintenance 
documents that could lead to errors in scheduling inspection 
intervals of structurally significant items (SSIs). We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct any cracking of the floor beam at FR 
26 and several areas of the wings, which could lead to reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Actions for FR 26 Floor Beam 
for All Model ATR42 Airplanes

    (1) For all Model ATR42 airplanes: At the later of the 
compliance times specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (g)(1)(ii) of 
this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12,000 flight 
cycles, accomplish a detailed inspection for damage (cracks, 
corrosion, dents, scratches, scores and abrasions) of the floor beam 
at FR 26, on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) sides, in 
accordance with the instructions of ATR Job Instruction Card 535100 
DVI 10097, ``DVI of FR26 Floor Beam Around Cut-outs for Cooling & 
Hydrau Ducts,'' dated February 9, 2012 (for Model ATR42-200, -300, -
320, and -500 airplanes).
    (i) Before the accumulation of 24,000 total flight cycles.
    (ii) Within 5,000 flight hours or 24 months, whichever occurs 
first, after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, any damage (corrosion or scratches that are greater than 
allowed, cracks, dents, scores and abrasions) is found: Before 
further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by the 
Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or 
ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA).

(h) SSI Tasks for Certain Model ATR42 Airplanes

    For Model ATR42 airplanes on which ATR modification 02805 was 
not embodied in production: Within 6 months after the effective date 
of this AD, revise the maintenance or inspection program, as

[[Page 1485]]

applicable, by incorporating the SSI tasks and compliance times 
identified in table 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD, in accordance 
with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-
116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA.

                 Table 1 to Paragraph (h) of This AD--Applicable SSI Tasks and Compliance Times
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     At this initial time--     And repeat at intervals not to
          For Model--              Use SSI Task--                                          exceed--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATR-42-500 airplanes...........  572301-1 or -3, as  Before 45,000 total     7,300 flight cycles.
                                  applicable.         flight cycles or
                                                      within 6 months after
                                                      the effective date of
                                                      this AD, whichever
                                                      occurs later.
ATR-42-500 airplanes...........  572305............  Before 46,000 total     3,900 flight cycles.
                                                      flight cycles or
                                                      within 6 months after
                                                      the effective date of
                                                      this AD, whichever
                                                      occurs later.
ATR42-200, -300, and -320        572301-1, or -4,    Before 45,000 total     7,300 flight cycles.
 airplanes.                       as applicable.      flight cycles or
                                                      within 6 months after
                                                      the effective date of
                                                      this AD, whichever
                                                      occurs later.
ATR42-200, -300, and -320        572305-1..........  Before 46,000 total     3,900 flight cycles.
 airplanes.                                           flight cycles or
                                                      within 6 months after
                                                      the effective date of
                                                      this AD, whichever
                                                      occurs later.
ATR42-200, -300, and -320        572409............  Before 42,000 total     9,000 flight cycles.
 airplanes.                                           flight cycles or
                                                      within 6 months after
                                                      the effective date of
                                                      this AD, whichever
                                                      occurs later.
ATR42-200, -300, and -320        572410, 572411,     Before 43,000 total     10,000 flight cycles.
 airplanes.                       572412, 572413,     flight cycles or
                                  572414, and         within 6 months after
                                  572415.             the effective date of
                                                      this AD, whichever
                                                      occurs later.
ATR42-200, -300, and -320        572416 and 572417.  Before 44,000 total     7,300 flight cycles.
 airplanes.                                           flight cycles or
                                                      within 6 months after
                                                      the effective date of
                                                      this AD, whichever
                                                      occurs later.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD: For ATR42-500 airplanes, 
additional guidance for the maintenance or inspection program 
revision may be found in the ATR ATR 42-400/-500 Maintenance Review 
Board Report, Revision 13, dated November 30, 2011.
    Note 2 to paragraph (h) of this AD: For ATR42-200, -300, and -
320 airplanes, additional guidance for the maintenance or inspection 
program revision may be found in the ATR ATR 42-200/-300/-320 
Maintenance Review Board Report, Revision 13, dated November 30, 
2011.

(i) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
required by paragraph (h) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or 
intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) 
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j)(1) of 
this AD.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Tom 
Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; fax 425-227-1149. Information 
may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any 
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or 
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight 
standards district office/certificate holding district office. The 
AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or 
ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional's EASA DOA. If approved 
by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0193, dated September 25, 
2012, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-0080-0002.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (l)(3) and (l)(4) of this AD.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) ATR Job Instruction Card 535100 DVI 10097, ``DVI of FR26 
Floor Beam Around Cut-outs for Cooling & Hydrau Ducts,'' dated 
February 9, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact ATR--
GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional, 1, All[eacute]e Pierre 
Nadot, 31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 (0) 5 62 21 62 21; 
fax +33 (0) 5 62 21 67 18; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.aerochain.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 21, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-32892 Filed 1-12-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P