Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76411-76413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21178]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1987; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00807-T; 
Amendment 39-22806; AD 2024-15-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-17-
02, which applied to all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional 
Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes. AD 2021-17-02 required a 
one-time inspection for discrepancies of the wire bundles between the 
left- and right-hand angle of attack (AOA) probes and the crew alerting 
computer, and, depending on findings, applicable corrective actions. AD 
2021-17-02 also required, for certain airplanes, modifying the captain 
stick shaker wiring, and for all airplanes, revising the existing 
aircraft flight manual (AFM) and applicable corresponding operational 
procedures to incorporate procedures for the stick pusher/shaker. Since 
the FAA issued AD 2021-17-02, additional modification of the affected 
wiring for certain airplanes was developed. This AD retains all of the 
requirements of AD 2021-17-02 and requires installing a new AOA power 
supply unit and removing the AFM amendment; as specified in a European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by 
reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 23, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 23, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1987; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 
000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find 
this material on the EASA website ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, 
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at regulations.gov 
under Docket No. FAA-2023-1987.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 206-231-3220; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2021-17-02, Amendment 39-21685 (86 FR 
48490, August 31, 2021) (AD 2021-17-02). AD 2021-17-02 applied to all 
ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-200, -300, and 
-320 airplanes. AD 2021-17-02 required a one-time inspection for 
discrepancies of the wire bundles between the left- and right-hand AOA 
probes and the crew alerting computer, and, depending on findings, 
applicable corrective actions. AD 2021-17-02 also required for certain 
airplanes, modifying the captain stick shaker wiring, and for all 
airplanes, revising the existing AFM and applicable corresponding 
operational procedures to incorporate procedures for the stick pusher/
shaker. The FAA issued AD 2021-17-02 to address false activation of the 
stall warning system due to wiring damage on the wire bundle between an 
AOA probe and the crew alerting computer, which could result in loss of 
control of the airplane during take-off and landing phases.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 5, 2023 (88 
FR 69102). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2023-0134, dated July 5, 2023 
(EASA AD 2023-0134), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for 
the Member States of the European Union. EASA AD 2023-0134 states final 
modification instructions of the affected wiring were developed.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require installing a new AOA power 
supply unit and revising the existing AFM, as specified in EASA AD 
2023-0134.
    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2021-17-02. The SNPRM published 
in the Federal Register on May 21, 2024 (89 FR 44568). The SNPRM was 
prompted by additional modification of the affected wiring for certain 
airplanes, and by the issuance of EASA AD 2023-0191, dated November 2, 
2023 (EASA AD 2023-0191) (also referred to as the MCAI). In the SNPRM, 
the FAA proposed to retain all of the requirements of AD 2021-17-02. 
The NPRM also proposed to require installing a new AOA power supply 
unit and removing the AFM amendment. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

[[Page 76412]]

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1987.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received one comment, from Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA), who supported the SNPRM without change.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the 
comment received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this 
AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on this product. Except for minor editorial changes 
this AD is adopted as proposed in the SNPRM. None of the changes will 
increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2023-0191 specifies procedures for a one-time inspection 
for discrepancies of the wire bundles between the left- and right-hand 
AOA probes and the crew alerting computer, and, depending on findings, 
applicable corrective actions (repair). EASA AD 2023-0191 also 
specifies procedures, for certain airplanes, for modifying the captain 
stick shaker wiring, and for all airplanes, revising the existing AFM 
to incorporate procedures for the stick pusher/shaker. Finally, EASA AD 
2023-0191 specifies procedures for installing the AOA power supply 
unit, removing the AFM amendment, and accomplishing additional 
modification of the affected wiring.
    This material 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 26 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2021-17-  Up to 14 work-hours            $100  Up to $1,290.......  Up to $33,540.
 02.                                x $85 per hour =
                                    Up to $1,190.
New actions......................  50 work-hours x $85               0  $4,250.............  $110,500.
                                    per hour = $4,250.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the 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.
    The FAA is 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

    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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2021-17-02, Amendment 39-21685 (86 
FR 48490, August 31, 2021); and
0
b. Adding the following new Airworthiness Directive:

2024-15-14 ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Amendment 
39-22806; Docket No. FAA-2023-1987; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-
00807-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 23, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2021-17-02, Amendment 39-21685 (86 FR 48490, 
August 31, 2021) (AD 2021-17-02).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport 
R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 31, Instruments.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by false activation of the stall warning 
system due to wiring damage on the wire bundle between an angle of 
attack (AOA) probe and the crew alerting computer, and the 
development of additional wiring modifications and an aircraft 
flight manual (AFM) update to address the unsafe condition. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address this condition, which could result in 
loss of control of the airplane during take-off and landing phases.

[[Page 76413]]

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2023-0191, dated November 2, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0191).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0191

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0191 refers to October 27, 2020 (the 
effective date of EASA AD 2020-0221), this AD requires using 
December 3, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-23-13, Amendment 39-
21330 (85 FR 73407, November 18, 2020)).
    (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0191 refers to February 2, 2021 (the 
effective date of EASA AD 2021-0024), this AD requires using October 
5, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-17-02).
    (3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0191 refers to 
``discrepancies,'' for this AD, discrepancies include, but are not 
limited to, wire damage, missing or damaged conduits, and incorrect 
routing of wiring and conduits.
    (4) Where paragraph (8) of EASA AD 2023-0191 specifies 
``accomplish the additional work as identified in'' replace that 
text with ``accomplish the additional work as identified in section 
`1--ADDITIONAL WORK.' ''
    (5) Where paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2023-0191 specify to 
``inform all flight crews, and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane 
accordingly,'' this AD does not require those actions, as those 
actions are already required by existing FAA operating regulations 
(see 14 CFR 91.9, 91.505, and 121.137).
    (6) Where EASA AD 2023-0191 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (7) Where EASA AD 2023-0191 refers to July 19, 2023 (the 
effective date of EASA AD 2023-0134), this AD requires using the 
effective date of this AD.
    (8) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2023-0191.

(i) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Validation 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified 
in paragraph (j) of this AD or email to: [email protected]. 
If mailing information, also submit information by email. Before 
using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Validation Branch, FAA; or 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.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3220; email 
[email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0191, 
dated November 2, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2023-0191, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA 
AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th 
Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on September 12, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-21178 Filed 9-17-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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