Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 123 (Friday, June 26, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36707-36710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15615]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1986; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-100-AD; 
Amendment 39-18188; AD 2015-13-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport 
R[eacute]gional Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 and ATR72-
212A airplanes. This AD requires inspection of the affected control 
systems rods and, depending on findings, a replacement of the affected 
rods. This AD was prompted by reports of non-conformity of certain 
control rods, which could result in failure of the control rods. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct failure of an affected control 
rod, which, under certain circumstances, could result in reduced 
control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 13, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 13, 
2015.
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 10, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact ATR-GIE 
Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional, 1, All[eacute]e Pierre Nadot, 
31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 (0) 5 62 21 62 21; fax +33 
(0) 5 62 21 67 18; email [email protected]; Internet 
http://www.aerochain.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2015-1986.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1986; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office 
(telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; 
fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2012-0064, dated April 20, 2012 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for Model ATR42-500 and 
ATR72-212A airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Prompted by the findings that led to publication of EASA AD 
2010-0063-E, additional quality investigation showed that the non-
conformity of certain control rods, which was due to incorrect 
polishing during the rod manufacturing process, could also affect 
other flight control rods [and could result in failure of the 
control rods].
    These other potentially non-conforming control rods are 
installed on elevator controls, rudder pedal assemblies and rudder 
tab controls of certain ATR aeroplanes.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
failure of an affected control rod which, under certain 
circumstances, could result in reduced control of the aeroplane.
    As a result of further investigations, other batches have been 
incriminated, in addition to the ones identified by EASA AD 2010-
0063-E, and new safety analyses also indicate the need for 
replacement of the rods (within an adapted compliance time), which 
had passed the check required by EASA AD 2010-0063-E. Consequently, 
EASA AD 2010-0063-E is superseded by this new AD.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection of the affected control systems rods and, depending 
on findings, replacement of the affected rods.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-1986.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional (ATR) has issued the 
following service information.
    <bullet> ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0104, Revision 01, dated 
August 30, 2011.
    <bullet> ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0105, Revision 01, dated 
August 30, 2011.
    <bullet> ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1065, Revision 02, dated 
August 30, 2011.

[[Page 36708]]

    <bullet> ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1066, Revision 01, dated 
August 30, 2011.
    This service information describes procedures for the inspection of 
affected control systems rods and, depending on findings, a replacement 
of the affected rods. This service information is reasonably available 
because the interested parties have access to it through their normal 
course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section 
of this AD.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type designs.
    There are no products of this type currently registered in the 
United States; however, this rule is necessary to ensure that the 
described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these products are 
placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    The actions specified in paragraph (4) of the MCAI, for rudder 
pedals that have been inspected according to EASA AD 2010-0063-E, dated 
April 1, 2010, is not included in this AD because the those actions 
were not required by any FAA AD.
    Although the MCAI requires using a certain repair manual to repair 
certain conditions, paragraph (i) of this AD requires repair using a 
method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA); or ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional's EASA 
Design Organization Approval (DOA).

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product, 
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
unnecessary.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-1986; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-NM-100-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD based on 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Currently, there are no affected airplanes on the U.S. Register. 
However, if an affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, we estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour 
per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost $0 
per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $85 per product.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden 
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA 
at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, ATTN: Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2015-13-01 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Amendment 
39-18188. Docket

[[Page 36709]]

No. FAA-2015-1986; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-100-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective July 13, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and 
(c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 
airplanes having manufacturer serial number (MSN) 671 through 815 
inclusive, except MSN 811.
    (2) ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR72-212A 
airplanes having MSN 769 through 914 inclusive, except MSN 826, 905, 
908, and 911.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of non-conformity of certain 
control rods, which could result in failure of the control rods. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct failure of an affected 
control rod, which, under certain circumstances, could result in 
reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Elevator Control Rod Inspection

    For airplanes identified in ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0105, 
Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011; or ATR72-27-1066, Revision 01, 
dated August 30, 2011; as applicable to airplane model: Within 6 
months after the effective date of this AD, inspect all four 
elevator control rods having part number (P/N) S27381930-004 and P/N 
S27381831-006 for batch number identification, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-
0105, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011; or ATR Service Bulletin 
ATR72-27-1066, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011, as applicable to 
airplane model. A review of airplane maintenance records is 
acceptable in lieu of this inspection, if the batch number can be 
conclusively determined from that review. Replace any affected rod, 
including any rod with an unreadable batch number, at the applicable 
time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, in 
accordance with ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0105, Revision 01, 
dated August 30, 2011; or ATR72-27-1066, Revision 01, dated August 
30, 2011; as applicable to airplane model.
    (1) If only one rod is affected: Replace it within 10 days after 
the inspection.
    (2) If two or more rods are affected: Replace all rods before 
further flight, except that replacement of one of the affected rods 
may be deferred for 10 days.

(h) Rudder Pedal Rod Inspection

    For airplanes identified in ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0104, 
Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011; or ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-
27-1065, Revision 02, dated August 30, 2011; as applicable to 
airplane model: Inspect all four rudder pedal rods having P/N 
S2728116400000 for batch number identification, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-
0104, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011; or ATR Service Bulletin 
ATR72-27-1065, Revision 02, dated August 30, 2011; as applicable to 
airplane model. For any affected rudder pedal rod, including any rod 
with an unreadable batch number, before further flight, check the 
rod diameter using a special tool, in accordance with ATR Service 
Bulletin ATR42-27-0104, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011; or ATR 
Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1065, Revision 02, dated August 30, 2011; 
as applicable to airplane model.
    (1) If, during the diameter check, the rod passes through the 
tool, replace the rod before further flight.
    (2) If, during the diameter check, the rod does not pass through 
the tool, replace the rod within 5,000 flight hours after the 
diameter check.

(i) Rudder Tab Control Rod Inspection

    For airplanes identified in paragraph (c) of this AD, except for 
airplanes having MSNs 671, 673, and 769 through 784 inclusive: 
Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect the 
rudder tab control rod P/N S27281929-002 for batch number 
identification, using a method approved by the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; 
or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Avions de 
Transport R[eacute]gional (ATR)'s EASA Design Organization Approval 
(DOA). If the rudder tab control rod belongs to batch number 2107267 
or 2120855, or if the batch number is unreadable: Before further 
flight, replace the rod with a serviceable rod using a method 
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or ATR's EASA DOA.
    Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD: ATR 42/72 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual (AMM)/Job Instruction Cards (JIC) 27-20-00 DVI 
1000 and AMM/JIC 27-21-42 RAI 10000 are additional sources of 
guidance for accomplishment of the rudder tab control rod 
inspection.

 (j) Reporting Requirement

    Submit a report of the rod inspection and check required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD at the applicable compliance time 
specified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD, in accordance with the 
instructions specified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Submit the report at the applicable time specified in 
paragraph (j)(1)(i) or (j)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) If the inspection or check was done on or after the 
effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after 
the inspection or check.
    (ii) If the inspection or check was done before the effective 
date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (2) Submit the report (including no findings) to ATR using the 
Accomplishment Report form provided in the service information 
identified in paragraph (j)(2)(i), (j)(2)(ii), (j)(2)(iii), or 
(j)(2)(iv) of this AD; as applicable to airplane model.
    (i) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0104, Revision 01, dated 
August 30, 2011.
    (ii) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0105, Revision 01, dated 
August 30, 2011.
    (iii) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1065, Revision 02, dated 
August 30, 2011.
    (iv) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1066, Revision 01, dated 
August 30, 2011.
    (3) Send the report to ATR-GIE Avions de Transport 
R[eacute]gional, 1, All[eacute]e Pierre Nadot, 31712 Blagnac Cedex, 
France; telephone +33 (0) 5 62 21 62 21; fax +33 (0) 5 62 21 67 18; 
email [email protected].

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD using the applicable service 
information specified in paragraphs (k)(1) through (k)(5) of this 
AD. These documents are not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (1) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0104, dated December 17, 2010.
    (2) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0105, dated February 17, 2011.
    (3) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1065, dated April 15, 2010.
    (4) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1065, Revision 01, dated 
December 17, 2010.
    (5) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1066, dated February 17, 2011.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the International 
Branch, send it to ATTN: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; 
fax 425-227-1149. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the Manager of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must 
specifically reference this AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or ATR-GIE Avions de 
Transport R[eacute]gional's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). 
If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized 
signature.

[[Page 36710]]

    (3) Reporting Requirements: A federal agency may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a 
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number 
for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for 
this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. All 
responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments 
concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing 
the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, AES-200.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0064, dated April 20, 2012, 
for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2015-1986.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (n)(3) and (n)(4) of this AD.

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0104, Revision 01, dated 
August 30, 2011.
    (ii) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0105, Revision 01, dated 
August 30, 2011.
    (iii) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1065, Revision 02, dated 
August 30, 2011.
    (iv) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1066, Revision 01, dated 
August 30, 2011.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact ATR-
GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional, 1, All[eacute]e Pierre 
Nadot, 31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 (0) 5 62 21 62 21; 
fax +33 (0) 5 62 21 67 18; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.aerochain.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 17, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-15615 Filed 6-25-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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