Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -500 Series Airplanes; and Model ATR72 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 25, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38535-38536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18254]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-203-AD; Amendment 39-12343; AD 2001-15-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, -
320, and -500 Series Airplanes; and Model ATR72 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 ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -
500 series airplanes; and Model ATR72 series airplanes; that requires 
replacement of the existing uplock boxes of the main and nose landing 
gears with modified uplock boxes. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent a mechanical failure of the uplock box mechanisms, 
which could result in failure of the associated landing gear to extend. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 29, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 29, 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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 ATR42-
200, -300, -320, and -500 series airplanes; and Model ATR72 series 
airplanes; was published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2001 (66 
FR 20957). That action proposed to require replacement of the existing 
uplock boxes of the main and nose landing gears with modified uplock 
boxes.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    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 143 Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -500 
series airplanes and Model ATR72 series airplanes of U.S. registry will 
be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours 
per airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be 
supplied by the parts manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $34,320, or $240 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 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

[[Page 38536]]

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:

2001-15-09  Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-12343. Docket 2000-NM-203-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -500 series 
airplanes; and Model ATR72 series airplanes; certificated in any 
category; except those on which Aerospatiale Modification 05226 has 
been accomplished.

    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 (b) 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 a mechanical failure of the uplock box mechanisms, 
which could result in failure of the associated landing gear to 
extend, accomplish the following:

Removal and Replacement

    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, remove 
and replace the three existing uplock boxes of the main and nose 
landing gears with modified uplock boxes in accordance with the 
instructions given in Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletins 
ATR42-32-0090 (for Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -500 series 
airplanes) and ATR72-32-1038 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), 
both dated May 19, 2000.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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 2: 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

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Avions de 
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-32-0090, dated May 19, 
2000; and Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-32-
1038, dated May 19, 2000; as applicable. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2000-189-078(B) and 2000-190-042(B), both 
dated May 3, 2000.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 29, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 16, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-18254 Filed 7-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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