[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 160 (Thursday, August 21, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40778-40780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-15999]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-2262; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00083-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-
300, -320, -500, ATR72-201, and -212A airplanes, and for all ATR--GIE
Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR72-102, -202, -211, and -
212 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an inspection on the
ATR final assembly line that found a fire extinguishing tube, located
on the ceiling of the aft cargo compartment, disconnected from its
sleeve. This proposed AD would require a functional check of the aft
cargo fire extinguishing system and applicable on-condition actions, if
necessary. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would also require
an additional functional check and applicable on-condition actions. 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 October 6,
2025.
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 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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2262; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this proposed AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
[email protected]. You may find this material on the EASA website at
ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket
No. FAA-2025-2262.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexis Whitaker, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: 516-228-7309; 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 using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-2262;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00083-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 this 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
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
Alexis Whitaker, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue,
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7309; 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
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2025-0080, dated April 11, 2025;
corrected April 23, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0080) (also referred to as the
MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain ATR--GIE Avions de
Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-300, -320, -400, -500, ATR72-201,
and -212A airplanes, and for all ATR--GIE Avions de Transport
R[eacute]gional Model ATR72-102, -202, -211, and -212 airplanes. Model
ATR42-400 airplanes are not certificated by the FAA and are not
included on the U.S. type certificate data sheet; this proposed AD
therefore does not include those airplanes in the applicability. The
MCAI states that during an inspection on the ATR final assembly line, a
fire extinguishing tube, located on the ceiling of the aft cargo
compartment, was found disconnected from its sleeve. Further
investigations indicated that this condition might affect other ATR
airplanes. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could affect
the capability of the aft cargo compartment fire extinguishing system
to contain a cargo compartment fire.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2262.
[[Page 40779]]
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2025-0080 specifies procedures for accomplishing a
functional check for discrepancies, such as incorrectly installed
distribution piping, of the aft cargo fire-extinguishing system, and
depending on the results, corrective actions. Corrective actions
include correcting and re-installing the distribution piping then
repeating the functional check after re-installation, or obtaining and
following repair instructions from the manufacturer if a detected
discrepancy cannot be corrected. For airplanes on which a functional
check and corrective actions have been accomplished using certain
material, EASA AD 2025-0080 specifies performing an additional
functional check and, depending on the results, corrective actions.
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
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority 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 require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2025-0080 described previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text 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 2025-0080 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2025-0080 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 2025-0080 does not mean that
operators need to 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 2025-
0080. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0080 for compliance will be
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-2262 after the
FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 103 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85................... $0 $85 $8,755
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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
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Up to 2 work-hour x $85 per hour = $0 Up to $170.
$170................................
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for airplanes that require contacting ATR for repair
instructions in order to comply with on-condition actions specified in
this proposed AD.
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.
[[Page 40780]]
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:
ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Docket No. FAA-2025-
2262; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00083-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by October 6, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the ATR--GIE Avions de Transport
R[eacute]gional airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of
this AD, certificated in any category, as identified in European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0080, dated April 11,
2025; corrected April 23, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0080).
(1) ATR42-300, -320, and -500 airplanes.
(2) ATR72-102, -201, -202, -211, -212, and -212A airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire
Protection.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an inspection on the ATR final assembly
line that found a fire extinguishing tube, located on the ceiling of
the aft cargo compartment, disconnected from its sleeve. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address this condition, which if not detected and
corrected, could affect the capability of the aft cargo compartment
fire extinguishing system to contain a cargo compartment fire.
(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 compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2025-0080.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0080
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0080 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0080 refers to February 5, 2025 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2025-0024), this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(3) Where EASA AD 2025-0080 refers to ``any discrepancy'', this
AD requires replacing that text with ``any incorrectly installed
distribution piping''.
(4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA
AD2025-0080.
(i) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the
airplane can be modified, provided no cargo is in the aft cargo
compartment.
(j) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
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 manager of the
International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email 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, 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.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Alexis Whitaker,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7309; email: [email protected].
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0080,
dated April 11, 2025; corrected April 23, 2025.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email [email protected]. You may find this material on
the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) 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.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on August 18, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-15999 Filed 8-20-25; 8:45 am]
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