[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 231 (Thursday, December 1, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 86627-86630]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28618]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9430; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-051-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 and 
Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by reports of failure of emergency power supply units (EPSUs) 
in production and in service. This proposed AD would require an 
inspection to determine the part number and serial number of each EPSU, 
and replacement if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 17, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For ATR service information identified in this NPRM, 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.
    For COBHAM service information identified in this NPRM, contact 
COBHAM 174-178 Quai de Jemmapes, 75010, Paris, France; telephone +33 
(0) 1 53 38 98 98; fax +33 (0) 1 42 00 67 83.
    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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
9430; 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 proposed 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. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate,

[[Page 86628]]

FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-
1112; fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-9430; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-051-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2016-0070, dated April 11, 2016; corrected April 12, 2016 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''); to correct an unsafe condition for certain ATR-GIE 
Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 and Model ATR72 -
102, -202, -212, and -212A airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Some failure cases have been reported of emergency power supply 
units (EPSU), Part Number (P/N) 301-3100 Amdt [Amendment] A, both on 
the production line and in service. The results of the technical 
investigations revealed that these failures could have been caused 
by a defective internal electronic component, which could affect the 
EPSU internal battery charge.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, ATR issued Service 
Bulletin (SB) ATR42-33-0050 and SB ATR72-33-1043 to provide 
instructions to inspect EPSUs.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
identification and replacement of the affected EPSUs with 
serviceable units.
    This [EASA] AD was republished to correct two typographical 
errors in paragraph (3) of the [EASA] AD and to specify the correct 
Revision (3) of the Cobham SB 301-3100-33-002.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
9430.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    ATR has issued Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 01, dated 
January 26, 2016; and ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 01, 
dated January 26, 2016. This service information describes procedures 
for inspecting an EPSU to determine the part number, serial number, and 
amendment level, and replacing the EPSU. These documents are distinct 
since they apply to different airplane models.
    Cobham has issued COBHAM Service Bulletin 301-3100-33-002, Revision 
3, dated July 30, 2015, which describes procedures for modifying an 
EPSU by replacing the printed circuit board.
    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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of these 
same type designs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 11 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Cost on  U.S.
              Action                     Labor cost          Parts cost      Cost per product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection........................  1 work-hour x $85                 $0   $85 per EPSU (4               $3,740
                                     per hour = $85 per                     EPSUs per airplane).
                                     EPSU.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need 
these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                Action                            Labor cost                  Parts cost             product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement...........................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour =   Not available...........             $85
                                         $85 per EPSU.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

[[Page 86629]]

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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);
    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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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):

ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Docket No. FAA-2016-
9430; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-051-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 17, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the ATR-GIE Avions de Transport 
R[eacute]gional airplanes, certificated in any category, identified 
in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Model ATR42-500 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers 
(MSNs), except those on which ATR Modification 6780 has been 
embodied in production.
    (2) Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A airplanes, all MSNs 
on which ATR Model 3715 has been embodied in production, except 
those on which ATR Modification 6780 has been embodied in 
production.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 33, Lights.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of failure of emergency power 
supply units (EPSUs) in production and in service. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct defective internal electronic 
components, which could adversely affect the EPSU internal battery. 
This condition could result in a partial or total loss of emergency 
lighting, possibly affecting passenger evacuation during an 
emergency situation.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection of EPSU and Corrective Action

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect 
each EPSU on the airplane to determine the part number and serial 
number. For any EPSU having part number (P/N) 301-3100 Amendment 
(Amdt) A and a serial number identified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) 
of this AD, and that does not have a control sticker marked with 
``SIL 301-3100-33-001'': Except as provided by paragraph (i) of this 
AD, before further flight, replace the EPSU with a serviceable unit, 
as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, 
Revision 01, dated January 26, 2016; or Service Bulletin ATR72-33-
1043, Revision 01, dated January 26, 2016; as applicable. A review 
of airplane maintenance records may be done in lieu of inspection of 
the EPSUs on the airplane if the part number and serial number of 
each EPSU can be positively determined from that review.

            Figure 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--Affected Serial Numbers of EPSU P/N 301-3100 Amdt A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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                               Affected Serial Numbers of EPSU P/N 301-3100 Amdt A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        2905           4929          4960          4994          5025          5077          5113          5156
        2906           4930          4961          4995          5026          5079          5114          5157
        3401           4931          4962          4996          5027          5080          5115          5158
        3697           4932          4963          4997          5028          5081          5116          5159
        3825           4933          4964          4998          5029          5082          5117          5160
        4343           4934          4965          4999          5031          5083          5118          5161
        4420           4935          4966          5000          5032          5084          5119          5162
        4634           4936          4967          5001          5033          5085          5120          5163
        4706           4937          4968          5002          5034          5086          5121          5164
        4707           4938          4969          5003          5038          5087          5122          5166
        4708           4939          4970          5004          5041          5088          5123          5171
        4709           4940          4971          5005          5042          5089          5124          5172
        4710           4941          4972          5006          5046          5090          5125          5173
        4711           4942          4973          5007          5047          5091          5126          5174
        4712           4943          4976          5008          5050          5092          5127          5175
        4713           4944          4977          5009          5052          5096          5128          5176
        4714           4945          4978          5010          5054          5097          5129          5177
        4715           4946          4979          5011          5055          5098          5130          5178
        4716           4947          4980          5012          5056          5099          5131          5179
        4717           4948          4981          5013          5058          5100          5132          5180
        4718           4949          4982          5014          5059          5101          5133          5181
        4719           4950          4983          5015          5065          5103          5134          5182
        4720           4951          4984          5016          5067          5104          5135          5183
        4721           4952          4985          5017          5068          5105          5136          5184
        4722           4953          4986          5018          5069          5106          5138          5185
        4723           4954          4987          5019          5070          5107          5139          5186
        4724           4955          4988          5020          5071          5108          5140          5187

[[Page 86630]]

 
        4745           4956          4989          5021          5072          5109          5147          None
        4926           4957          4990          5022          5073          5110          5153          None
        4927           4958          4991          5023          5075          5111          5154          None
        4928           4959          4993          5024          5076          5112          5155          None
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(h) Definition of Serviceable EPSU

    For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable EPSU is one that meets 
the criteria in paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), or (h)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Has P/N 301-3100 Amdt A and a serial number that is not 
included figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (2) Has P/N 301-3100 Amdt A, a serial number that is included in 
figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, but has a control sticker 
marked with ``SIL 301-3100-33-001.''
    (3) Has P/N 301-3100 Amdt B, or later amendment.

(i) Alternative Modification of Affected EPSU

    In lieu of the replacement required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
modification of an affected EPSU may be done in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of COBHAM Service Bulletin 301-3100-33-
002, Revision 3, dated July 30, 2015.

(j) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on 
any airplane any EPSU having P/N 301-3100 Amdt A and a serial number 
identified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, unless it has a 
control sticker marked with ``SIL 301-3100-33-001''.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using the service information identified in 
paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this AD, provided it can be determined 
that no EPSU having a serial number listed in figure 1 to paragraph 
(g) of this AD has been installed on that airplane since the actions 
in the applicable service bulletin were completed.
    (1) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, dated December 11, 2015.
    (2) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, dated December 11, 2015.

(l) 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: Shahram 
Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1112; 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.
    (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 the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or ATR--GIE Avions de 
Transport R[eacute]gional's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). 
If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2016-0070, dated April 11, 2016; corrected April 12, 
2016; for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9430.
    (2) For ATR 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. For Cobham service information 
identified in this AD, contact COBHAM 174-178 Quai de Jemmapes, 
75010, Paris, France; telephone +33 (0) 1 53 38 98 98; fax +33 (0) 1 
42 00 67 83. 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 17, 2016.
Phil Forde,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-28618 Filed 11-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P