Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-500 Series Airplanes, and Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 76 (Monday, April 21, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19326-19328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9431]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-73-AD; Amendment 39-13122; AD 2003-08-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-500 Series 
Airplanes, and Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A 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 series airplanes, 
and Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A series airplanes, that 
requires replacement of insulation blankets constructed of metallized 
polyethyleneteraphthalate (MPET) located from sections 11 through 16 of 
the fuselage with new insulation blankets constructed of Terul 
18TM. This amendment is prompted by reports of in-flight and 
ground fires on certain airplanes manufactured with insulation blankets 
constructed of MPET, which may contribute to the spread of a fire when 
ignition occurs from small ignition sources such as electrical arcing 
or sparking. The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure 
that insulation blankets constructed of MPET are removed from the 
fuselage. Such insulation blankets could propagate a small fire that is 
the result of an otherwise harmless electrical arc and could lead to a 
much larger fire. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective May 27, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the

[[Page 19327]]

regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
May 27, 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 series airplanes, and Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A series 
airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on December 13, 2002 
(67 FR 76704). That action proposed to require replacement of 
insulation blankets constructed of metallized polyethyleneteraphthalate 
(MPET) located from sections 11 through 16 of the fuselage with new 
insulation blankets constructed of Terul 18TM.

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 2 Aerospatiale Model ATR42-500 series 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 500 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required replacement, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $50,000 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators of 
Model ATR42-500 series airplanes is estimated to be $160,000, or 
$80,000 per airplane.
    The FAA estimates that 19 Aerospatiale Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, 
and -212A series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this 
AD, that it will take approximately 500 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required replacement, and that the average labor rate is 
$60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $60,000 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators of Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A series airplanes is 
estimated to be $1,710,000, or $90,000 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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, 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:

2003-08-10 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-13122. Docket 2002-NM-73-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR42-500 series airplanes, and Model 
ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A series airplanes; certificated in 
any category; except those airplanes on which ATR Modification 5117 
or 5322 (reference Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin 
ATR42-25-0134, dated January 24, 2002; or Avions de Transport 
Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-25-1074, dated January 24, 2002; as 
applicable) has been installed.

    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 ensure that insulation blankets constructed of metallized 
polyethyleneteraphthalate (MPET) are removed from the fuselage, to 
prevent propagation of a fire that is the result of an otherwise 
harmless electrical arc and could lead to a much larger fire, 
accomplish the following:

Insulation Blanket Replacement

    (a) Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD, replace 
insulation blankets located from sections 11 through 16 inclusive of 
the fuselage with new, improved insulation blankets constructed of 
Terul 18\TM\, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-25-0134 (for 
Model ATR42-500 series airplanes); or ATR72-25-1074 (for Model 
ATR72-102, -202, -212, -212A series airplanes); both dated January 
24, 2002; as applicable.


[[Page 19328]]


    Note 2: Although paragraph (a) of this AD allows up to 5 years 
for the required replacement, the FAA encourages operators to review 
their airplanes to assess their individual needs for materials and 
plan accordingly. The FAA anticipates that operators will accomplish 
the requirements of this AD at the earliest practicable maintenance 
opportunity to lessen the burden toward the end of the compliance 
time.

Part Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an insulation blanket constructed of MPET on any airplane.

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 replacement shall be done in accordance with Avions de 
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-25-0134, dated January 24, 
2002; or Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-25-
1074, dated January 24, 2002; 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2001-635-061(B) and 2001-636-088(B), both 
dated December 26, 2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on May 27, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 11, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-9431 Filed 4-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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