Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 12, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9379-9382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02492]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2418; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00239-T; 
Amendment 39-22943; AD 2025-02-10]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 and 
ATR72 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a flight deck 
emergency

[[Page 9380]]

escape hatch was difficult to open due to the hose ends being connected 
to the hatch with incorrect parts and/or installed collars with a too-
small diameter that would not permit the drain hose to slide inside. 
This AD requires inspection of the flight deck emergency escape hatch 
drain hose for discrepancies and applicable corrective actions, and 
prohibits accomplishment of maintenance actions using the instructions 
of certain maintenance tasks, 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 March 19, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 19, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2418; 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 at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety 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 at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2418.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain ATR--GIE Avions 
de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on November 1, 2024 (89 FR 87314). 
The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0090, dated April 16, 2024, issued by 
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union (EASA AD 2024-0090) (also referred to as the MCAI). The 
MCAI states that following a report that a flight deck emergency escape 
hatch was difficult to open, an ATR investigation revealed hatch drain 
hose ends connected to the hatch with incorrect parts (zip-tie and ty-
rap) and installed collars with a too-small diameter that would not 
permit the drain hose to slide inside. These installation 
nonconformities could occur only during maintenance and could affect 
the hatch drainage and possibly result in difficulties in removing the 
hatch in case of an emergency evacuation. ATR has updated the 
maintenance procedures to clarify the correct procedures.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspection of the flight 
deck emergency escape hatch drain hose for discrepancies and applicable 
corrective actions, and prohibit accomplishment of maintenance actions 
using the instructions of certain maintenance tasks, as specified in 
EASA AD 2024-0090. The FAA is issuing this AD to address these 
installation nonconformities, which could prevent flightcrew evacuation 
from the airplane in case of an emergency, possibly resulting in 
personal injury.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2418.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM 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 NPRM. None of the changes will 
increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2024-0090 specifies procedures for inspecting for 
discrepancies of the flight deck emergency escape hatch drain hose 
(including checking for the presence of a fastening system on the drain 
hoses at the level of the escape hatch drains and checking whether a 
drain hose slides freely in the clamp (collar)). Discrepancies include 
any zip-tie/ty-rap that is detected and any drain hose that does not 
slide freely in the clamp. Corrective actions include removing the 
fastening system and replacing the clamp. EASA AD 2024-0090 also 
prohibits accomplishment of maintenance actions using the instructions 
of Maintenance Procedure (MP) Tasks ATR-A-52-22-XX-00ZZZ-520Z-A and 
ATR-A-52-22-XX-00ZZZ-720Z-A issued December 31, 2023, or earlier. 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 80 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                 Labor cost                        Parts cost        Cost per product    Cost on U.S. operators
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0.25 work-hour x $85 per hour = $21.25......                  $0               $21.25                    $1,700
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[[Page 9381]]

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any replacement that 
would be required based on the results of any required actions. The FAA 
has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this 
replacement:

                                     Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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                Labor cost                                   Parts cost                      Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.25 work-hour x $85 per hour = $21.25....  Minimal....................................                   $21.25
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected operators.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2025-02-10 ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Amendment 
39-22943; Docket No. FAA-2024-2418; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-
00239-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 19, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the ATR--GIE Avions de Transport 
R[eacute]gional airplanes, certificated in any category, specified 
in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD and identified in European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0090, dated April 16, 
2024 (EASA AD 2024-0090).
    (1) Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -500 airplanes.
    (2) Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211, -212, and -212A 
airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that a flight deck emergency 
escape hatch was difficult to open due to the hose ends being 
connected to the hatch with incorrect parts and/or installed collars 
with a too-small diameter that would not permit the drain hose to 
slide inside. The FAA is issuing this AD to address such 
installation nonconformities, which could affect drainage of the 
hatch. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could prevent 
flightcrew evacuation in case of an emergency, possibly resulting in 
personal injury.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply 
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, EASA AD 2024-0090.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0090

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0090 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0090.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2024-0090 states ``any discrepancy, as defined 
in the AOM, is detected'' for this AD replace that text with ``any 
fastening system (e.g., zip-tie/ty-rap) is detected or any drain 
hose does not slide freely in the clamp (collar).''

(i) No Reporting

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0090 specifies 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

(j) 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, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: 
[email protected]. 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.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue,

[[Page 9382]]

Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3220; email: 
[email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 2024-0090, 
dated April 16, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) 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 at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety 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 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 January 23, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-02492 Filed 2-11-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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