Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 114 (Monday, June 15, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32609-32611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15784]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-64-AD; Amendment 39-10589; AD 98-13-01]
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

[[Page 32610]]

requires replacement of the left longitudinal net of the forward cargo 
compartment with a new reinforced net. This amendment is prompted by 
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign 
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent blockage of the access door, which could restrict 
access for crewmembers between the flight deck and the passenger 
compartment during normal operations or an emergency evacuation.

DATES: Effective July 20, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 20, 1998.

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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 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 
April 14, 1998 (63 FR 18155). That action proposed to require 
replacement of the left longitudinal net of the forward cargo 
compartment with a new reinforced net.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Explanation of Changes Made to Proposal

    The FAA has revised the final rule to reflect a change of the 
manufacturer's name referenced in the proposal for the service 
bulletins from Aerospatiale to Avions de Transport Regional.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule with the change previously described. 
The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of this AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 141 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required replacement, 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 $8,460, or 
$60 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:

98-13-01 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10589. Docket 97-NM-64-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR42-300 and -320 series airplanes, on 
which Aerospatiale Modification 1878, 2482, 3193, or 8154 has not 
been installed, or on which simultaneous installation of 
Modifications 0481 and 0588 has not been accomplished; and Model 
ATR72-102, -202, and -212 series airplanes on which Aerospatiale 
Modification 2482, 3193, or 4648 has not been installed; 
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 (c) 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 blockage of the access door, which could restrict 
access for crewmembers between the flight deck and the passenger 
compartment during normal operations or an emergency evacuation, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
existing cargo nets with new improved cargo nets, in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model ATR-42 series airplanes: Accomplish replacement of 
cargo nets in accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service 
Bulletin ATR42-25-0108, dated January 24, 1997; or Revision 1, dated 
February 28, 1997; or Revision 2, dated July 1, 1997.
    (2) For Model ATR-72 series airplanes: Accomplish replacement of 
cargo nets in accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service 
Bulletin ATR72-25-1052, dated February 11, 1997; or Revision 1, 
dated July 1, 1997.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane any cargo net having one of the following part 
numbers: 5366, 5367, 5370, 5375, or 5579.

[[Page 32611]]

    (c) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with the 
following Avions de Transport Regional service bulletins, which 
contain the specified effective pages:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Service bulletin referenced and                               Revision level shown on                          
               date                  Page No. shown on page             page               Date shown on page   
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ATR42-25-0108....................  1-9......................  Original................  Jan. 24, 1997.          
ATR42-25-0108, Revision 1,         1-3, 5-7.................  1.......................  Feb. 28, 1997.          
 February 28, 1997.                4, 8, 9..................  Original................  Jan. 24, 1997.          
ATR42-25-0108, Revision 2, July    1, 2, 4..................  2.......................  July 1, 1997.           
 1, 1997.                           3, 5, 6, 7..............  1.......................  Feb. 28, 1997.          
                                   8, 9.....................  Original................  Jan. 24, 1997.          
ATR72-25-1052....................  1-7......................  Original................  Feb. 11, 1997.          
ATR72-25-1052, Revision 1, July    1, 3.....................  1.......................  July 1, 1997.           
 1, 1997.                          2, 4-7...................  Original................  Feb. 11, 1997.          
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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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 96-289-069(B)R1 and 96-288-032(B)R1, both 
dated December 18, 1996.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 20, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 8, 1998.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15784 Filed 6-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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