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

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 141 (Monday, July 23, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38144-38145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18256]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-380-AD; Amendment 39-12339; AD 2001-15-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, -
320, -500, and 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 all Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, -500, and 
ATR72 series airplanes, that requires a revision of the Airplane Flight 
Manual to add instructions that prohibit the flightcrew from selecting 
the reverse position on the engines in the event of propeller thrust 
dissymmetry. The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure 
that the flightcrew is advised of the hazard associated with selecting 
reverse thrust during propeller thrust dissymmetry, which could result 
in reduced controllability of the airplane during landing. This action 
is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 27, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this amendment may be examined at 
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

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 all Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, 
-300, -320, -500, and ATR72 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on May 1, 2001 (66 FR 21699). That action proposed to 
require a revision of the Airplane Flight Manual to add instructions 
that prohibit the flightcrew from selecting the reverse position on the 
engines in the event of propeller thrust dissymmetry.

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 69 Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, -500, and 
ATR72 series 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 actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $4,140, 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 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, 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:

2001-15-05  Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-12339. Docket 2000-NM-380-AD.

    Applicability: All Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, -500, and ATR72 
series airplanes; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To ensure that the flightcrew is advised of the hazard 
associated with selecting reverse thrust during propeller thrust 
dissymmetry, which could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane during landing, accomplish the following:

Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (a) Within 5 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Normal Procedures section of the FAA-approved AFM, under 
``APPROACH AND LANDING,'' to include the following. This may be 
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

``NORMAL LANDING

    <bullet> After nose wheel touchdown
    Both PL: GI
    Both LO PITCH lights: Check illuminated
    CAUTION: If a thrust dissymmetry occurs or if one LO PITCH light 
is not illuminated, the use of any reverse is not allowed.''

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, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Operations Inspector, 
who may add comments and then

[[Page 38145]]

send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 1: 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 
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.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2000-436-080(B) and 2000-437-052(B), both 
dated October 18, 2000.

Effective Date

    (d) This amendment becomes effective on August 27, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 16, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-18256 Filed 7-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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