Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR72 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8712-8714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4217]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-118-AD; Amendment 39-11049; AD 99-04-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model 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 ATR72 series airplanes, that 
requires a one-time inspection to detect damage of certain anchor nuts 
located on the upper surface of the wings, and replacement of the 
anchor nuts with new or serviceable nuts, if necessary. 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 failure of anchor nuts on 
the upper surface of the wings, which could result in reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: Effective March 30, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 30, 1999.

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 ATR72 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 4, 1998 
(63 FR 30425). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection of 
certain anchor nuts located on the upper surface of the wings to detect 
damage, and replacement of the anchor nuts with new or serviceable 
nuts, if necessary.

Comments

    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.

Request To Reference Latest Service Bulletin

    The commenter requests that the proposed AD be revised to reference 
Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-57-1019, Revision 
1, dated May 12, 1998, as an additional source of service information 
for accomplishment of the actions specified in the proposal. The 
commenter states that Revision 1 is essentially identical to the 
original issue, which was cited as the appropriate source of service 
information for accomplishment of the actions specified in the proposed 
AD, and merely adds additional explanations and editorial corrections 
that do not affect the airplanes already inspected and repaired in 
accordance with the original service bulletin.
    The FAA concurs with the commenter's request to reference the 
latest service bulletin. The FAA has reviewed Revision 1 of the service 
bulletin and finds it is an acceptable method of compliance for 
accomplishment of the actions required by this AD.
    The final rule has been revised accordingly.

[[Page 8713]]

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 with the change described 
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 39 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $18,720, or $480 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:

99-04-24  Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-11049. Docket 98-NM-118-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR72-102, -201, -202, and -212 series 
airplanes; as listed in Avions de Transport Regional Service 
Bulletin ATR72-57-1019, dated July 7, 1997; certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
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 failure of anchor nuts on the upper surface of the 
wings, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect 
the anchor nuts, having part number (P/N) NAS1473A5, located on the 
upper surface of the wing to detect damage, in accordance with 
Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-57-1019, dated 
July 7, 1997, or Revision 1, dated May 12, 1998.
    (1) If no damage is detected, no further action is required by 
this AD.
    (2) If any damage is detected, and the damage is within the 
allowable limits specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service bulletin, prior to the accumulation of an additional 4,000 
flight cycles following the inspection, replace the damaged nut 
having P/N NAS1473A5 with a new or serviceable nut, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
    (3) If any damage is detected, and the damage is outside the 
allowable limits specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with 
a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Direction Generale de 
l'Aviation Civile (or its delegated agent).
    (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, International Branch, ANM-116. 
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.

    (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 actions shall be done in accordance with Avions de 
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-57-1019, dated July 7, 
1997, or Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-57-
1019, Revision 1, dated May 12, 1998, which contains the following 
list of effective pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Revision level shown
          Page No.                   on page         Date shown on page
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-7, 10, 12, 13, 17.........  1...................  May 12, 1998.
8, 9, 11, 14-16.............  Original............  July 7, 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 directive 97-264-034(B), dated September 24, 1997.


[[Page 8714]]


    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 30, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 12, 1999.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-4217 Filed 2-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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