Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-500 and ATR72 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 2, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52087-52088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21413]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-169-AD; Amendment 39-13284; AD 2003-17-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-500 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 certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-500 and ATR72 series 
airplanes, that requires inspecting the wire bundle in the area of 
electrical rack 90VU to detect damage, verifying that the conduit 
around the wire bundle is in the proper position, and installing a 
clamp between the wire bundles and the carbon shelves structure. This 
action is necessary to prevent chafing of a wire bundle, which could 
result in an electrical short and potential loss of several functions 
essential for safe flight. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective October 7, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 7, 2003.

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-
500 and ATR72 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
June 18, 2003 (68 FR 36525). That action proposed to require inspecting 
the wire bundle in the area of electrical rack 90VU to detect damage, 
verifying that the conduit around the wire bundle is in the proper 
position, and installing a clamp between the wire bundles and the 
carbon shelves structure.

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.

Change to Labor Rate Estimate

    We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several 
years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various 
inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to 
increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work 
hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects 
this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 86 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 actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $259 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $44,634, or $519 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

[[Page 52088]]

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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

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

2003-17-09 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-13284. Docket 2002-NM-169-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR42-500 and ATR72 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, on which ATR Modification 1447 has 
been incorporated and ATR Modification 4840 has not been 
incorporated.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent chafing of a wire bundle in the area of electrical 
rack 90VU, which could result in an electrical short and potential 
loss of several functions essential for safe flight, accomplish the 
following:

Modification

    (a) Within 500 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a detailed inspection to 
detect damage of the wire bundles in the area of electrical rack 
90VU, ensure that the conduit around the wire bundles is in the 
proper position, and install a clamp between the wire bundles and 
the carbon shelves structure (93VU, 94VU, 95VU); in accordance with 
Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-92-0007 (for 
Model ATR42-500 series airplanes) or ATR72-92-1007 (for Model ATR72 
series airplanes), both dated January 25, 2002, as applicable. 
Repair any damaged wiring before further flight in accordance with 
Chapter 20-27-17 of the applicable ATR Aircraft Schematic Manual.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods 
of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (c) The actions shall be done in accordance with Avions de 
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-92-0007, dated January 25, 
2002, or Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-92-
1007, dated January 25, 2002, as applicable; and Chapter 20-27-17, 
dated October 1, 1995, of Avions de Transport Regional ATR42 
Aircraft Schematic Manual, or Chapter 20-27-17, dated October 1, 
1995 of the Avions de Transport Regional ATR72 Aircraft Schematic 
Manual, as applicable. The Avions de Transport Regional ATR42 
Aircraft Schematic Manual contains the following list of effective 
pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Page Number                       Date shown on page
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List of Effective Pages 1-9..............  April 2001.
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(Only the title page of the Avions de Transport Regional ATR42 
Aircraft Schematic Manual references the airplane model; no other 
page contains this information.) The Avions de Transport Regional 
ATR72 Aircraft Schematic Manual contains the following list of 
effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Page Number                       Date shown on page
------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Effective Pages 1-9..............  April 2001.
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    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 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2002-090-092(B) and 2002-091-066(B), both 
dated February 20, 2002.

Effective Date

    (d) This amendment becomes effective on October 7, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 15, 2003.
Kyle L. Olsen,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-21413 Filed 8-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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