Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40963-40966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17661]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0712; Product Identifier 2018-NM-089-AD; Amendment 
39-19361; AD 2018-17-07]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-24-01, 
which applied to certain ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional 
Model ATR42-500 airplanes and Model ATR72-212A airplanes. AD 2017-24-01 
required an inspection for routing attachments of electrical harness 
bundles and for wire damage, and corrective actions if necessary. This 
new AD adds additional airplanes to the applicability. This AD was 
prompted by a determination that additional airplanes are affected by 
the unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

[[Page 40964]]


DATES: This AD is effective September 4, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 4, 
2018 .
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 1, 2018.

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 final rule, 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 aircraft.com">continued.airworthiness@atr-aircraft.com; http://www.atr-aircraft.com. You may view this referenced 
service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0712.

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-2018-
0712; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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 Office (telephone 
800-647-5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-321-3220.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued AD 2017-24-01, Amendment 39-19105 (82 FR 55755, November 
24, 2017) (``AD 2017-24-01''), which applied to certain Model ATR42-500 
airplanes and Model ATR72-212A airplanes. AD 2017-24-01 was prompted by 
reports of electrical harness bundle chafing with a window blinding 
panel in the fuselage due to missing routing attachments. AD 2017-24-01 
required an inspection for routing attachments (i.e., brackets) of 
electrical harness bundles and for wire damage, and corrective actions 
if necessary. We issued AD 2017-24-01 to detect and correct missing 
routing attachments of fuselage electrical harness bundles, which could 
result in wire failure (cut or shorted) and, in case of several 
failures in combination, the loss of systems, possibly resulting in 
reduced control of the airplane.
    Since we issued AD 2017-24-01, we have determined that additional 
airplanes are affected by the unsafe condition.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2018-0105, dated May 08, 2018 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Model ATR42-
500 airplanes and Model ATR72-212A airplanes. The MCAI states:

    An event was reported of several spurious alarms on a recently 
delivered ATR 72 aeroplane. During subsequent trouble-shooting, 
damage was found on the electrical harness wire bundle (Route 1M), 
due to chafing with a window blinding panel located on the left-hand 
(LH) side of the fuselage, zone 231. A bracket, necessary to 
maintain the harness wire bundle close to the structure of the 
fuselage and avoid chafing, was missing. The same bracket was also 
found missing on the right-hand (RH) side of the fuselage, zone 232, 
Route 2M, although without damage on the harness wire bundle. A 
quality investigation revealed another aeroplane on the production 
line where same brackets were not installed.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, may lead to wire 
failure (cut or shorted) and, in case of several failures in 
combination, to loss of systems, possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, ATR published the 
applicable SB [service bulletin] to provide inspection instructions. 
Consequently, EASA issued AD 2017-0118 [which corresponds to FAA AD 
2017-24-01] to require verification of the installation of the 
brackets, a one-time inspection of the wire bundles, and depending 
on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, an occurrence was reported of 
engine intermittent auto-feather, caused by damage on the electrical 
harness bundle Route 1M. The affected aeroplane MSN [manufacturer 
serial number] was not identified in the Applicability of EASA AD 
2017-0118.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2017-0118, which is superseded, and expands 
the Applicability to include additional aeroplanes, identified by 
MSN in Group 2 as specified in section `Definitions' of this [EASA] 
AD.

    The MCAI includes MSNs 1071, 1141, 1341, 1367, and 1377 in its 
applicability, but those MSNs are not identified in the definitions for 
the affected groups. Those MSNs are not affected by the identified 
unsafe condition. Therefore, we have not included those MSNs in our 
applicability. You may examine the MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0712.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    ATR has issued Service Bulletin ATR42-92-0033, Revision 02, dated 
April 12, 2018; and Service Bulletin ATR72-92-1044, Revision 02, dated 
April 12, 2018. This service information describes procedures for an 
inspection of routing attachments (i.e., brackets) of electrical 
harness bundles and for wire damage, and corrective actions if 
necessary. These documents are distinct since they apply to different 
airplane models. 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.

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 design.

[[Page 40965]]

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    There are currently no domestic operators of this product. 
Therefore, we good cause find that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment are unnecessary and that, for the same reason, good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

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-2018-0712; Product 
Identifier 2018-NM-089-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 because of 
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 U.S.-registered airplanes. If an 
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future, we provide the following cost estimates to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.................................  3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255.              $0            $255
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to 
the Director of the System Oversight Division.

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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2017-24-01, Amendment 39-19105 (82 FR 55755, November 24, 2017), and 
adding the following new AD:

2018-17-07 ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Amendment 
39-19361; Docket No. FAA-2018-0712; Product Identifier 2018-NM-089-
AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 4, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-24-01, Amendment 39-19105 (82 FR 55755, 
November 24, 2017) (``AD 2017-24-01'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the ATR--GIE Avions de Transport 
R[eacute]gional airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) 
of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Model ATR42-500 airplanes, manufacturer serial numbers 
(MSNs) 1001 through 1014 inclusive, 1016 through 1019 inclusive, and 
1201 through 1212 inclusive.
    (2) Model ATR72-212A airplanes, MSNs 1048 through 1070 
inclusive, 1072 through 1140 inclusive, 1142 through 1200 inclusive, 
1220 through 1340 inclusive, 1342 through 1353 inclusive, 1355 
through 1366 inclusive, 1368 through 1376 inclusive, 1378 through 
1380 inclusive, 1382, 1385, and 1388.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 92, Electric.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of electrical harness bundle 
chafing with a window blinding panel in the fuselage due to missing 
routing attachments and by a determination that additional airplanes 
that were not identified in AD 2017-24-01 are affected by the unsafe 
condition. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct missing

[[Page 40966]]

routing attachments of fuselage electrical harness bundles, which 
could result in wire failure (cut or shorted), and, in case of 
several failures in combination, the loss of systems, possibly 
resulting in reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Definitions

    (1) For the purposes of this AD, Group 1 airplanes are 
identified as the following: MSNs 1014, 1016 through 1019 inclusive, 
1165 through 1212 inclusive, 1220 through 1340 inclusive, 1342 
through 1353 inclusive, 1355 through 1366 inclusive, 1368 through 
1376 inclusive, 1378 through 1380 inclusive, 1382, 1385 and 1388.
    (2) For the purposes of this AD, Group 2 airplanes are 
identified as the following: MSNs 1001 through 1013 inclusive, 1048 
through 1070 inclusive, 1072 to 1140 inclusive 1142 through 1164 
inclusive.

(h) Retained Inspection With New Service Information and Revised 
Compliance Language

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2017-24-01, with new service information and revised compliance 
language. For Group 1 airplanes: Within 6 months or 500 flight hours 
after December 11, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-24-01), 
whichever occurs first, do a detailed inspection for missing 
brackets and damage (including but not limited to chafing and 
electrical shorting) to wire bundles of the Route 1M and Route 2M 
electrical harness, in accordance with the flowchart in paragraph 
1.C., ``Description,'' and the Accomplishment Instructions of ATR 
Service Bulletin ATR42-92-0033, Revision 02, dated April 12, 2018 
(for Model ATR42-500 airplanes); or ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-92-
1044, Revision 02, dated April 12, 2018 (for Model ATR72-212A 
airplanes); as applicable. Although ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-92-
0033, Revision 02, dated April 12, 2018; and ATR Service Bulletin 
ATR72-92-1044, Revision 02, dated April 12, 2018; specify reporting, 
this AD does not include that requirement.

(i) New Requirement of This AD: Inspection

    For Group 2 airplanes: Within 6 months or 500 flight hours after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do a detailed 
inspection for missing brackets and damage (including but not 
limited to chafing and electrical shorting) to wire bundles of the 
Route 1M and Route 2M electrical harness, in accordance with the 
flowchart in paragraph 1.C., ``Description,'' and the Accomplishment 
Instructions of ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-92-0033, Revision 02, 
dated April 12, 2018 (for Model ATR42-500 airplanes); or ATR Service 
Bulletin ATR72-92-1044, Revision 02, dated April 12, 2018 (for Model 
ATR72-212A airplanes); as applicable. Although ATR Service Bulletin 
ATR42-92-0033, Revision 02, dated April 12, 2018; and ATR Service 
Bulletin ATR72-92-1044, Revision 02, dated April 12, 2018; specify 
reporting, this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) New Requirements of This AD: Corrective Action

    If the inspection required by paragraph (h) or (i) of this AD 
reveals that any bracket is missing or any wire is damaged, before 
further flight, do applicable corrective actions, in accordance with 
the flowchart in paragraph 1.C., ``Description,'' and the 
Accomplishment Instructions of ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-92-0033, 
Revision 02, dated April 12, 2018 (for Model ATR42-500 airplanes); 
or ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-92-1044, Revision 02, dated April 12, 
2018 (for Model ATR72-212A airplanes); as applicable. Where ATR 
Service Bulletin ATR42-92-0033, Revision 02, dated April 12, 2018; 
and ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-92-1044, Revision 02, dated April 12, 
2018; specify to contact ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional 
for appropriate action, before further flight, accomplish corrective 
actions in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 
(l)(2) of this AD.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraphs (h), (i), and (j) of this AD, if those actions were 
performed before the effective date of this AD using ATR Service 
Bulletin ATR42-92-0033, dated May 3, 2017, or Revision 01, dated 
July 20, 2017; or ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-92-1044, dated May 3, 
2017, or Revision 01, dated July 20, 2017, as applicable. ATR 
Service Bulletin ATR42-92-0033, dated May 3, 2017; and ATR72-92-
1044, dated May 3, 2017, were previously incorporated by reference 
in AD 2017-24-01. ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-92-0033 Revision 01, 
dated July 20, 2017; and ATR72-92-1044, Revision 01, dated July 20, 
2017, were not previously incorporated by reference.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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 Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (m)(2) of this AD. 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.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of 
this AD, 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 Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, 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.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2018-0105, dated May 08, 2018, 
for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on 
the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0712.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Shahram 
Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport 
Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone and fax 206-321-3220.
    (3) 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- 92-0033, Revision 02, dated 
April 12, 2018.
    (ii) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-92-1044, Revision 02, dated 
April 12, 2018.
    (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 aircraft.com">continued.airworthiness@atr-aircraft.com; internet http://www.atr-aircraft.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
206-231-3195.
    (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 Des Moines, Washington, on August 8, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-17661 Filed 8-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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