Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR72-101, -201, -102, -202, -211, and -212 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 24, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38360-38361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18020]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-38-AD; Amendment 39-12334; AD 2001-14-23]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR72-101, -201, -
102, -202, -211, and -212 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR72-101, -201, -102, -202, -
211, and -212 series airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection of 
harness route 2P and the pitch control cable for wire chafing, 
corrective action, if necessary; and replacement of the clamp retaining 
the power supply cable loom of the green circuit hydraulic pump at 
frame 28 with a smaller clamp in a different orientation. This action 
is necessary to prevent the chafing of electrical wires, which could 
cause a short circuit and failure of the elevator control cable and the 
green system hydraulic pump, resulting in reduced controllability of 
the airplane and consequent injury to the crew and passengers. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 28, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 28, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 
03, France. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR72-
101, -201, -102, -202, -211, and -212 series airplanes was published in 
the Federal Register on April 26, 2001 (66 FR 20946). That action 
proposed to require replacement of the clamp retaining the power supply 
cable loom of the green circuit hydraulic pump at frame 28 with a 
smaller clamp in a different orientation.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter expresses concern that the final rule be issued as 
quickly as possible.
    The FAA concurs, and the final rule is issued as proposed.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 60 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection and replacement, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will 
be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the actions required by this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,600, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is

[[Page 38361]]

determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2001-14-23  Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-12334. Docket 2001-NM-38-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR72-101, -201, -102, -202, -211, and -212 
series airplanes; certificated in any category; except those on 
which Modification 3719 has been performed.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the chafing of electrical wires, which could cause a 
short circuit and failure of the elevator control cable and the 
green system hydraulic pump, resulting in reduced controllability of 
the airplane and consequent injury to the crew and passengers, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection and Corrective Action

    (a) Within 25 days after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
a general visual inspection of harness route 2P and the pitch 
control cable for chafing, in accordance with Avions de Transport 
Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-92-1004, dated January 26, 2001.
    (1) If no chafing is found, no further action is required by 
this paragraph.
    (2) If any chafing of the harness route 2P or the pitch control 
cable is found during the inspection, prior to further flight, 
replace the applicable part with a new or serviceable part in 
accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-
92-1004, dated January 26, 2001.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Replacement

    (b) Within 25 days after the effective date of this AD: Remove 
the oversized clamp (20 mm), part number (P/N) NSA935807-20, at 
frame 28, which retains power supply cables loom 2P for the green 
circuit hydraulic pump, and install a 16 mm clamp, P/N NSA935807-16, 
with new orientation, in accordance with Avions de Transport 
Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-92-1004, dated January 26, 2001.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Avions de 
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-92-1004, dated January 26, 
2001. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director 
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de 
Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, France. Copies may be inspected 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-056-055(B), dated February 7, 2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 28, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 12, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-18020 Filed 7-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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