Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 9, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56972-56974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-22346]



[[Page 56972]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-2262; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00083-T; 
Amendment 39-23187; AD 2025-23-04]
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 
certain ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-300, -
320, -500, ATR72-201, and -212A airplanes and all ATR--GIE Avions de 
Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR72-102, -202, -211, and -212 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by an inspection on the ATR final 
assembly line that found a fire extinguishing tube, located on the 
ceiling of the aft cargo compartment, disconnected from its sleeve. 
This AD requires a functional check of the aft cargo fire extinguishing 
system and applicable on-condition actions, if necessary. For certain 
airplanes, this AD also requires an additional functional check and 
applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 13, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 13, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-2262; 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material 
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]. 
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-2025-2262.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexis Whitaker, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: 516-228-7309; 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 ATR42-300, -320, -500, ATR72-201, 
and -212A airplanes and all ATR--GIE Avions de Transport 
R[eacute]gional Model ATR72-102, -202, -211, and -212 airplanes. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 21, 2025 (90 FR 
40778). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2025-0080, dated April 11, 2025; 
corrected April 23, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0080) (also referred to as the 
MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union. The MCAI superseded EASA AD 2025-0024, 
dated January 22, 2025. The MCAI states that during an inspection on 
the ATR final assembly line, a fire extinguishing tube, located on the 
ceiling of the aft cargo compartment, was found disconnected from its 
sleeve. Further investigations indicated that this condition might 
affect other ATR airplanes. This condition, if not detected and 
corrected, could affect the capability of the aft cargo compartment 
fire extinguishing system to contain a cargo compartment fire.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a functional check of the 
aft cargo fire extinguishing system and applicable on-condition 
actions, if necessary, as specified in EASA AD 2025-0080. The FAA also 
proposed to require, for certain airplanes, an additional functional 
check and applicable on-condition actions, as specified in EASA AD 
2025-0080. 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-2025-2262.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA) and an individual who supported the NPRM without 
change.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments 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 these products. 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

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0080, which specifies procedures for 
accomplishing a functional check for discrepancies, such as incorrectly 
installed distribution piping, of the aft cargo fire extinguishing 
system, and depending on the results, corrective actions. Corrective 
actions include correcting and re-installing the distribution piping 
then repeating the functional check after re-installation, or obtaining 
and following repair instructions from the manufacturer if a detected 
discrepancy cannot be corrected. For airplanes on which a functional 
check and corrective actions have been accomplished using certain 
material, EASA AD 2025-0080 specifies performing an additional 
functional check and, depending on the results, corrective actions. 
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 103 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 56973]]



                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                                   Cost on U.S.
                         Labor cost                            Parts cost     Cost per product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85............................           $0                  $85           $8,755
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions 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 these on-condition actions:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Labor cost             Parts cost       Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 2 work-hour x $85 per               $0  Up to $170.
 hour = $170.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for airplanes that require contacting ATR for repair 
instructions in order to comply with 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2025-23-04 ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Amendment 
39-23187; Docket No. FAA-2025-2262; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-
00083-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 13, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the ATR--GIE Avions de Transport 
R[eacute]gional airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of 
this AD, certificated in any category, as identified in European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0080, dated April 11, 
2025; corrected April 23, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0080).
    (1) ATR42-300, -320, and -500 airplanes.
    (2) ATR72-102, -201, -202, -211, -212, and -212A airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire 
Protection.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an inspection on the ATR final assembly 
line that found a fire extinguishing tube, located on the ceiling of 
the aft cargo compartment, disconnected from its sleeve. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address this condition, which if not detected and 
corrected, could affect the capability of the aft cargo compartment 
fire extinguishing system to contain a cargo compartment fire.

(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, EASA AD 2025-0080.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0080

    (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0080 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2025-0080 refers to February 5, 2025 (the 
effective date of EASA AD 2025-0024, dated January 22, 2025), this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2025-0080 refers to ``any discrepancy'', this 
AD requires replacing that text with ``any incorrectly installed 
distribution piping''.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2025-0080.

(i) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the 
airplane can be modified, provided no cargo is in the aft cargo 
compartment.

(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

[[Page 56974]]

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 Alexis Whitaker, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7309; 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 2025-0080, 
dated April 11, 2025; corrected April 23, 2025.
    (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]. 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 November 7, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-22346 Filed 12-8-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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