Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 39 (Friday, February 28, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10851-10853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03292]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2422; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00378-T; 
Amendment 39-22962; AD 2025-04-04]
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 all 
ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR72 airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by reports of the main landing gear (MLG) rear 
hinge pin being ruptured. This AD requires replacing affected parts and 
prohibits the installation of affected parts, as specified in a 
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated 
by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 4, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 4, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2422; 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-2024-2422.

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 all ATR--GIE Avions de 
Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211, -
212, and -212A airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
November 12, 2024 (89 FR 88913). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0124, 
dated July 1, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0124) (also referred to as the MCAI), 
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union. The MCAI states several occurrences of a ruptured 
MLG rear hinge pin having part number (P/N) D61000 were reported 
(including cracked or burnt pins). An investigation on all MLG rear 
hinge pin batches revealed six pins were subjected to non-detected 
thermal abuse in production during grinding process. This condition, if 
not corrected, could lead to structural failure and consequent collapse 
of the MLG, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to 
the occupants.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing affected parts 
and prohibit the installation of affected parts, as specified in EASA 
AD 2024-0124.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2422.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment 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 2024-0124 specifies replacing certain serial numbered MLG 
rear hinge pin P/N D61000 with a serviceable part and prohibits the 
installation of affected parts. 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 41 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 10852]]



                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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              Labor cost                      Parts cost            Cost per product      Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 8 work-hours x $85 per hour =    Up to $14,940..........  Up to $15,620..........  Up to $640,420.
 Up to $680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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(f), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2025-04-04 ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Amendment 
39-22962; Docket No. FAA-2024-2422; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-
00378-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 4, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all ATR--GIE Avions de Transport 
R[eacute]gional Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211, -212, and -
212A airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by several occurrences of a ruptured main 
landing gear (MLG) rear hinge pin. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address MLG rear hinge pins that might rupture due to a 
manufacturing defect. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in structural failure and consequent collapse of the MLG, 
possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to the 
occupants.

(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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2024-0124, dated July 1, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0124).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0124

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0124 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0124 defines a serviceable part as ``Any 
MLG hinge pin, eligible for installation in accordance with 
applicable ATR instructions, that is not an affected part,'' for 
this AD replace that text with ``Any MLG hinge pin, eligible for 
installation, that is not an affected part.''
    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0124.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0124 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, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 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.

[[Page 10853]]

    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0124, 
dated July 1, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find 
this EASA 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 
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/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].

    Issued on February 12, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-03292 Filed 2-27-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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