Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 85 (Friday, May 2, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24021-24022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11197]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-141-AD; Amendment 39-10007; AD 97-09-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 series 
airplanes, that requires modification of the handle of the passenger/
crew door to change the ``down-to-open'' configuration of the handle to 
an ``up-to-open'' configuration. This amendment is prompted by a report 
indicating that, immediately after takeoff, the passenger/crew door 
opened and separated from the airplane, due to the inadvertent 
operation of the door handle. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent inadvertent opening of the passenger/crew door 
during unpressurized flight, or delays in opening the door during an 
emergency evacuation.

DATES: Effective June 6, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 6, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 
03, France. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Lium, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-1112; fax (206) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42 
and ATR72 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
February 19, 1997 (62 FR 7384). That action proposed to require 
modification of the handle of the passenger/crew door to change the 
``down-to-open'' configuration to an ``up-to-open'' configuration.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 16 Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 series 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 15 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $14,400, or $900 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

97-09-11  Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10007. Docket 96-NM-141-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR42 and ATR72 series airplanes on which 
Aerospatiale

[[Page 24022]]

Modification 04019 has been accomplished, certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent inadvertent opening of the passenger/crew door during 
unpressurized flight, or delays in opening the passenger/crew door 
during an emergency evacuation, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the handle of the passenger/crew door by changing its configuration 
to an ``up-to-open'' configuration in accordance with Aerospatiale 
Service Bulletin ATR42-52-0072 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes), 
or ATR72-52-1040 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), both dated 
October 2, 1995.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with 
Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-52-0072, dated October 2, 1995, 
or Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR72-52-1040, dated October 2, 
1995, as applicable. This incorporation by reference was approved by 
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Aerospatiale, 
316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, France. Copies may 
be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 6, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 24, 1997.
Neil D. Schalekamp,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-11197 Filed 5-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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