[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 71 (Monday, April 13, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20411-20413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07647]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0985; Product Identifier 2019-NM-183-AD; Amendment
39-19891; AD 2020-07-12]
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: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of interference between
bonding braid screws and pitch tab control rods on the ATR final
assembly line. This AD requires an inspection of the bonding braid
screws for proper installation, a detailed inspection for damage to the
pitch tab control rods if necessary, and replacement of the pitch tab
control rods if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 18, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 18,
2020.
ADDRESSES: For the material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD,
contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany;
telephone +49 221 89990 1000; email [email protected]; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this IBR material at the
FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
206-231-3195. It is also available in the AD docket on the internet at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2019-0985.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0985; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace
Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3220.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0262, dated October 22, 2019
(``EASA AD 2019-0262'') (also referred to 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 airplanes.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain ATR--GIE Avions
de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2019 (84 FR 69662).
The NPRM was prompted by a report of interference between bonding braid
screws and pitch tab control rods on the ATR final assembly line. The
NPRM proposed to require an inspection of the bonding braid screws for
proper installation, a detailed inspection for damage to the pitch tab
control rods if necessary, and replacement of the pitch tab control
rods if necessary.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address interference between bonding
braid screws and pitch tab control rods, which could lead to failure of
the rods and tab disconnection, possibly resulting in reduced control
of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.
Comments
The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. The following presents the comment received
on the NPRM and the FAA's response to the comment.
Request To Allow Credit for Work Done Using Alternative Service
Information
Silver Airways requested credit for accomplishment of the proposed
requirements on its current fleet of affected ATR42 airplanes using
alternative service information, i.e., by accomplishment of ATR All
Operator Message (AOM) 2019/09, Issue 2, and compliance with ATR
Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0112, dated August 6, 2019, referencing EASA
AD 2019-0262.
The FAA disagrees with the request because the commenter provided
no justification. The FAA has determined that in order to address the
identified unsafe condition, operators must comply with the
requirements of EASA AD 2019-0262, except as specified in paragraph (h)
of this AD. EASA AD 2019-0262 specifies only ATR Service Bulletin
ATR42-27-0112 for compliance actions, and it does not specify an AOM.
However, under the provisions of paragraph (j) of this AD, the FAA will
consider requests for approval to use alternative service information
if sufficient data are submitted to substantiate that the actions
specified in the alternative service information would provide an
acceptable level of safety. The FAA has not changed this AD with regard
to this request.
[[Page 20412]]
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest
require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor
editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2019-0262 describes procedures for inspecting the bonding
braid screws for proper installation, doing a detailed inspection for
damage of the pitch tab control rods, and replacing the pitch tab
control rods. This material 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
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 3 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85............................. $0 $85 $255
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of any
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85...... $11,940 $12,025
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
The FAA is 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
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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
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):
2020-07-12 ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Amendment
39-19891; Docket No. FAA-2019-0985; Product Identifier 2019-NM-183-
AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective May 18, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional
Model ATR42-500 airplanes, certificated in any category, as
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-
0262, dated October 22, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0262'').
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
controls.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of interference between bonding
braid screws and pitch tab control rods on the ATR final assembly
line. The FAA is issuing this AD to address interference between
bonding braid screws and pitch tab control rods, which could lead to
failure of the rods and tab disconnection, possibly resulting in
reduced control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and
[[Page 20413]]
compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2019-
0262.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0262
(1) Where EASA AD 2019-0262 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0262 does not apply
to this AD.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-0262
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(j) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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 Section, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. 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 instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or 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.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi,
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
and fax 206-231-3220.
(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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0262,
dated October 22, 2019.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For information about EASA AD 2019-0262, contact the EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
89990 6017; email [email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu.
You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Transport Standards
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. This
material may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2019-0985.
(5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at NARA, email
[email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued on April 3, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-07647 Filed 4-10-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P