[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 6, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19818-19821]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07157]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0395; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01048-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 Directive (AD) 
2018-18-05, which applies to all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport 
R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes; and AD 2020-
09-16, which applies to all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional 
Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes. AD 2018-18-05 and AD 2020-
09-16 require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-18-05 and AD 2020-09-16, the 
FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would retain the 
requirements of AD 2020-09-16. This proposed AD would also 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 
is proposed for incorporation 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 May 23, 
2022.

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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For material that will be incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 
AD, contact 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. 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-2022-0395.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0395; 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, the 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 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-2022-0395; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-01048-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 received, 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 received about this NPRM.

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; telephone 206-231-3220; email [email protected]. 
Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically 
designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this 
rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued AD 2018-18-05, Amendment 39-19384 (83 FR 44463, 
August 31, 2018) (AD 2018-18-05), which applies to certain ATR-GIE 
Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 
airplanes. AD 2018-18-05 requires revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more 
restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. The 
FAA issued AD 2018-18-05 to prevent reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane.
    The FAA also issued AD 2020-09-16, Amendment 39-19912 (85 FR 29596, 
May 18, 2020) (AD 2020-09-16), which applies to all ATR-GIE Avions de 
Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes. AD 
2020-09-

[[Page 19819]]

16 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations. The FAA issued AD 2020-09-16 to address reduced structural 
integrity of the airplane. AD 2020-09-16 also specifies that 
accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) of that AD 
terminates all requirements of AD 2018-18-05, but AD 2020-09-16 did not 
supersede AD 2018-18-05.

Actions Since AD 2018-18-05 and AD 2020-09-16 Were Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2018-18-05 and AD 2020-09-16, the FAA has 
determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are 
necessary.
    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0211, dated September 17, 2021 
(EASA AD 2021-0211) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an 
unsafe condition for all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional 
Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes.
    This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
proposing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2021-0211 describes new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations for airplane structures and components.
    This AD would also require EASA AD 2019-0256, dated October 17, 
2019, which the Director of the Federal Register approved for 
incorporation by reference as of June 22, 2020 (85 FR 29596, May 18, 
2020).
    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

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that 
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop 
in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2020-09-16. 
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 
2021-0211 described previously, as proposed for incorporation by 
reference. Revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
specified in EASA AD 2021-0211, would terminate the retained 
requirements from AD 2020-09-16. Any differences with EASA AD 2021-0211 
are identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed 
AD.
    This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections) and 
Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs). Compliance 
with these actions and CDCCLs 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 (AMOC) according to 
paragraph (m)(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 developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been 
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the 
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2021-0211 by reference in the FAA 
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with 
EASA AD 2021-0211 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 EASA AD 2021-0211 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 EASA AD 2021-
0211. Service information required by EASA AD 2021-0211 for compliance 
will be available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0395 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), intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, 
intervals, and CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the 
procedures specified in the AMOCs paragraph under ``Additional FAA AD 
Provisions.'' This new format includes a ``New Provisions for 
Alternative Actions, Intervals, and CDCCLs'' paragraph that does not 
specifically refer to AMOCs, but operators may still request an AMOC to 
use an alternative action, interval, or CDCCL.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 26 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 2020-09-16 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. Since

[[Page 19820]]

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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-18-05, Amendment 39-19384 
(83 FR 44463, August 31, 2018); and AD 2020-09-16, Amendment 39-19912 
(85 FR 29596, May 18, 2020); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Docket No. FAA-2022-
0395; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01048-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by May 23, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2018-18-05, Amendment 39-19384 (83 FR 44463, 
August 31, 2018); and AD 2020-09-16, Amendment 39-19912 (85 FR 
29596, May 18, 2020) (AD 2020-09-16).

(c) Applicability

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

(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 prevent reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection 
Program, With New Terminating Action

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2020-09-16, with a new terminating action. Except as specified in 
paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and 
compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0256, dated October 17, 
2019 (EASA AD 2019-0256). Accomplishing the revision of the existing 
maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (j) of this 
AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.

(h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0256, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph 
(h) of AD 2020-09-16, with no changes.
    (1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (3) of EASA 
AD 2019-0256 do not apply to this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2019-0256 refers to its 
effective date, this AD requires using June 22, 2020 (the effective 
date of AD 2020-09-16).
    (3) Paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2019-0256 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 2019-0256 within 90 days after June 22, 2020 (the effective 
date of AD 2020-09-16).
    (4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2019-0256 is at the applicable ``associated 
thresholds'' specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2019-0256, or 
within 90 days after June 22, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-
09-16), whichever occurs later.
    (5) The provisions specified in paragraphs (5) and (6) of EASA 
AD 2019-0256 do not apply to this AD.
    (6) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2019-0256 does not apply 
to this AD.

(i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions, Intervals, and 
Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs), With New 
Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2020-09-16, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraphs 
(j) and (l) 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), intervals, and CDCCLs are 
allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of 
the ``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2019-0256.

(j) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2021-0211, dated September 17, 2021 (EASA 
AD 2021-0211). Accomplishing the revision of the existing 
maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph 
terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

(k) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0211

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0211 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA 
AD 2021-0211 do not apply to this AD.
    (3) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0211 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, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
    (4) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in 
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0211 is at the applicable 
``limitations'' and ``associated thresholds'' as

[[Page 19821]]

incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-
0211, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later.
    (5) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA 
AD 2021-0211 do not apply to this AD.
    (6) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0211 does not apply 
to this AD.

(l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions, Intervals, and CDCCLs

    After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, and CDCCLs are allowed 
unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the 
``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2021-0211.

(m) Additional 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 responsible Flight 
Standards 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 (n)(2) 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 
responsible Flight Standards 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.

(n) Related Information

    (1) For information about EASA AD 2019-0256 and EASA AD 2021-
0211, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find these EASA ADs on the EASA website 
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 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 at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0395.
    (2) 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; telephone206-231-3220; email 
[email protected].

    Issued on March 31, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 2022-07157 Filed 4-5-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P