[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 212 (Monday, November 2, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69272-69276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-23933]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0972; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01091-T]
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: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directives (AD) 
2000-23-26, AD 2018-14-11, and AD 2019-13-04, which apply to ATR--GIE 
Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR72 airplanes. AD 2019-13-
04 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive maintenance 
instructions and airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 
2019-13-04, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require 
revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as 
specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which 
will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 
17, 2020.

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 https://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.

[[Page 69273]]

    For the EASA material identified in this proposed AD that will be 
incorporated by reference (IBR), contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 
3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR 
material on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
    For the ATR service information identified in this proposed 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 aircraft.com">continued.airworthiness@atr-aircraft.com; internet https://www.atr-aircraft.com.
    You may view this IBR material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products 
Section, Operational Safety 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-2020-0972.

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-2020-
0972; 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 NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations is listed above. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-
3220; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0972; Project Identifier 
MCAI 2020-01091-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
the proposal because of those comments. Except for Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and 
other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all 
comments we receive, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal information you provide. The agency will also 
post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive 
about this proposed AD.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, 
WA 98198. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not 
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for 
this rulemaking.

Discussion

    The FAA issued AD 2019-13-04, Amendment 39-19677 (84 FR 35028, July 
22, 2019) (``AD 2019-13-04''), for certain ATR--GIE Avions de Transport 
R[eacute]gional Model ATR72 airplanes. AD 2019-13-04 requires revising 
the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate new or more restrictive maintenance instructions and 
airworthiness limitations. The FAA issued AD 2019-13-04 to address 
fatigue cracking and damage in principal structural elements, which 
could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. AD 2019-
13-04 specifies that accomplishing the revision required by paragraph 
(g) of that AD terminates all requirements of AD 2000-23-26, Amendment 
39-11999 (65 FR 70775, November 28, 2000) (``AD 2000-23-26''), AD 2008-
04-19 R1, Amendment 39-16069 (74 FR 56713, November 3, 2009) (``AD 
2008-04-19 R1''), and AD 2018-14-11 Amendment 39-19331 (83 FR 34031, 
July 19, 2018) (``AD 2018-14-11'');. AD 2008-04-19 R1 was superseded by 
AD 2020-09-16, Amendment 39-19912 (85 FR 29596, May 18, 2020). This 
proposed AD would therefore supersede AD 2000-23-26, AD 2018-14-11, and 
AD 2019-13-04.

Actions Since AD 2019-13-04 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2019-13-04, the FAA has determined that new 
or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary.
    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0173, dated August 5, 2020 
(``EASA AD 2020-0173'') (also referred to 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 
ATR72 airplanes.
    Airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original 
export certificate of airworthiness issued after December 12, 2019 must 
comply with the airworthiness limitations specified as part of the 
approved type design and referenced on the type certificate data sheet; 
this AD therefore does not include those airplanes in the 
applicability.
    This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
proposing this AD to address fatigue cracking and damage in principal 
structural elements, which could result in reduced structural integrity 
of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2020-0173 describes new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations for airplane structures and safe life limits.
    This AD would also require ATR ATR72 Time Limits Document, Revision 
16, dated January 30, 2018, which the Director of the Federal Register 
approved for incorporation by reference as of August 26, 2019 (84 FR 
35028, July 22, 2019).
    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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another

[[Page 69274]]

country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, 
the FAA has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
and service information referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD 
because the FAA has evaluated all pertinent information and determined 
an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2019-13-04. 
This proposed AD would also require revising the existing maintenance 
or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations, which are specified in EASA AD 
2020-0173 described previously, as incorporated by reference. Any 
differences with EASA AD 2020-0173 are identified as exceptions in the 
regulatory text of this AD.
    This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). 
Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For 
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in 
the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph 
(n)(1) of this proposed AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA initially worked with Airbus and EASA to develop a 
process to use certain EASA ADs as the primary source of information 
for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has 
since coordinated with other manufacturers and civil aviation 
authorities (CAAs) to use this process. As a result, EASA AD 2020-0173 
will be incorporated by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed 
AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD 2020-0173 in its 
entirety, through that incorporation, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. 
Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular 
section in the EASA AD does not mean that operators need comply only 
with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to 
``all required actions and compliance times,'' compliance with this AD 
requirement is not limited to the section titled ``Required Action(s) 
and Compliance Time(s)'' in the EASA AD.
    Service information specified in EASA AD 2020-0173 that is required 
for compliance with EASA AD 2020-0173 will be available on the internet 
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0972 after the FAA final rule is published.

Airworthiness Limitation ADs Using the New Process

    The FAA's process of incorporating by reference MCAI ADs as the 
primary source of information for compliance with corresponding FAA ADs 
has been limited to certain MCAI ADs (primarily those with service 
bulletins as the primary source of information for accomplishing the 
actions required by the FAA AD). However, the FAA is now expanding the 
process to include MCAI ADs that require a change to airworthiness 
limitation documents, such as airworthiness limitation sections.
    For these ADs that incorporate by reference an MCAI AD that changes 
airworthiness limitations, the FAA requirements are unchanged. 
Operators must revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in the new 
airworthiness limitation document. The airworthiness limitations must 
be followed according to 14 CFR 91.403(c) and 91.409(e).
    The previous format of the airworthiness limitation ADs included a 
paragraph that specified that 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 the AMOCs paragraph under 
``Other FAA Provisions.'' This new format includes a ``New Provisions 
for Alternative Actions, and Intervals'' paragraph that does not 
specifically refer to AMOCs, but operators may still request an AMOC to 
use an alternative action or interval.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 23 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained 
actions from AD 2019-13-04 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-
hour).
    The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, 
although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator 
to operator. In the past, the agency has estimated that this action 
takes 1 work-hour per airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance 
or inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has 
determined that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-
airplane estimate.
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new proposed 
actions to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

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

    The FAA 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) 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.

[[Page 69275]]

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-23-26, Amendment 39-11999 
(65 FR 70775, November 28, 2000); AD 2018-14-11, Amendment 39-19331 (83 
FR 34031, July 19, 2018); and AD 2019-13-04, Amendment 39-19677 (84 FR 
35028, July 22, 2019), and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Docket No. FAA-2020-
0972; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01091-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by December 17, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    (1) This AD replaces AD 2000-23-26, Amendment 39-11999 (65 FR 
70775, November 28, 2000) (``AD 2000-23-26'').
    (2) This AD replaces AD 2018-14-11, Amendment 39-19331 (83 FR 
34031, July 19, 2018) (``AD 2018-14-11'').
    (3) This AD replaces AD 2019-13-04, Amendment 39-19677 (84 FR 
35028, July 22, 2019) (``AD 2019-13-04'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional 
Model ATR72 airplanes, certificated in any category, with an 
original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before December 12, 2019.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address fatigue cracking and damage in principal 
structural elements, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision, With No 
Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2019-13-04, with no changes. For airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before January 30, 2018: Within 90 days 
after August 26, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-13-04), revise 
the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate the information specified in ATR ATR72 Time Limits 
Document, Revision 16, dated January 30, 2018. The initial 
compliance time for doing the tasks is at the time specified in ATR 
ATR72 Time Limits Document, Revision 16, dated January 30, 2018, or 
within 90 days after August 26, 2019, whichever occurs later, except 
as provided by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD.

(h) Retained Initial Compliance Times for Certain Tasks, With No 
Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2019-13-04, with no changes. For airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before January 30, 2018: For 
accomplishing airworthiness limitations (AWL) and certification 
maintenance requirement (CMR)/maintenance significant item (MSI) 
tasks identified in figure 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD, the 
initial compliance time is at the applicable time specified in the 
airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the ATR ATR72 Time Limits 
Document, Revision 16, dated January 30, 2018, or at the applicable 
compliance time in figure 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD, whichever 
occurs later.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02NO20.000

(i) Retained Initial Compliance Time: One-Time Initial Threshold, With 
No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2019-13-04, with no changes. For airplanes with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before January 30, 2018: For CMR task 
220000-5, a one-time initial threshold, as specified in ATR ATR72 
Time Limits Document, Revision 16, dated January 30, 2018, is 
allowed as specified in figure 2 to paragraph (i) of this AD.

[[Page 69276]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02NO20.001

(j) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions and Intervals With a 
New Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 
2019-13-04, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph 
(k) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program 
has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no 
alternative actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals may be used 
unless the actions and intervals are approved as an alternative 
method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures 
specified in paragraph (n)(1) of this AD.

(k) New Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Except as specified in paragraph (l) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2020-0173, dated August 5, 2020 (``EASA AD 2020-0173''). 
Accomplishing the maintenance or inspection program revision 
required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph 
(g) of this AD.

(l) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0173

    (1) Where EASA AD 2020-0173 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (3) of EASA 
AD 2020-0173 do not apply to this AD.
    (3) Paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0173 specifies revising ``the 
approved AMP'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this 
AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate the ``limitations, tasks and 
associated thresholds and intervals'' specified in paragraph (4) of 
EASA AD 2020-0173 within 90 days after the effective date of this 
AD.
    (4) Except as provided by paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0173, 
the initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0173 is at the applicable ``associated 
thresholds'' specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0173, or 
within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later.
    (5) Where table 1 of EASA AD 2020-0173 specifies a compliance 
time of ``without exceeding the previous threshold and interval as 
specified in TLD Revision 16'' for this AD use ``without exceeding 
the compliance times specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.''
    (6) The provisions specified in paragraphs (5) and (6) of EASA 
AD 2020-0173 do not apply to this AD.
    (7) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2020-0173 does not apply 
to this AD.

(m) New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
required by paragraph (k) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections) or intervals, are allowed unless they are approved as 
specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. Publications'' section of 
EASA AD 2020-0173.

(n) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 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 Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (o)(4) 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, Large Aircraft 
Section, International Validation 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.

(o) Related Information

    (1) For EASA AD 2020-0173, contact the EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-
Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 
EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (2) For the 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 aircraft.com">continued.airworthiness@atr-aircraft.com; internet https://www.atr-aircraft.com.
    (3) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety 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-2020-0972.
    (4) For more information about this AD, contact Shahram 
Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3220; email 
[email protected].

    Issued on October 23, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-23933 Filed 10-30-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P