Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 114 (Thursday, June 14, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32778-32780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11202]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27358; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-270-AD; 
Amendment 39-15098; AD 2007-12-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an airworthiness authority 
of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as electrical 
arcing due to chafing between a bonding cable and electrical wires in 
the 120 VU (volt unit) electrical harness, causing the loss of some 
instruments and loss of one hydraulic circuit pressure (i.e., loss of 
pressure of one hydraulic circuit). We are issuing this AD to require 
actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 19, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 19, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to allow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we 
considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe 
condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this 
reason might not follow our plain language principles.
    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2007 (72 FR 
9475). That NPRM proposed to require inspecting the harness 
installation in the 120 VU (volt unit) electrical harness and, as 
applicable, restoring correct installation of the bonding cable. The 
MCAI states that recently an ATR 42 suffered electrical arcing, causing 
the loss of some instruments and loss of one hydraulic circuit pressure 
(i.e., loss of pressure of one hydraulic circuit) due to chafing 
between a bonding cable and electrical wires in the 120 VU electrical 
harness. The investigation showed that a tubular support had been 
deformed and therefore impaired the spacing among electrical harness, 
supports, and cables; the harness was not correctly attached; the size 
of the harness was increased by addition of cables (for Service 
Bulletins (SB) or customer modifications embodiments); and the bonding 
cable was not correctly installed. The MCAI mandates an inspection of 
the ATR 42 and ATR 72 fleet for correct installation of the bonding 
cable and restoring correct installation of the bonding cable if 
necessary.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received.

Request To Include Revised Service Bulletins

    Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) states that in the NPRM 
reference is made to Avions de Transport Regional

[[Page 32779]]

Service Bulletins ATR42-92-0012 and ATR72-92-1013, both dated July 4, 
2006. ATR notes that this corresponds to the original issue of both 
service bulletins, and adds that those bulletins have been revised to 
add a reference to European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2006-0283. ATR states that nothing else has been changed, and 
suggests that the AD reference Avions de Transport Regional Service 
Bulletins ATR42-92-0012 and ATR72-92-1013, both Revision 01, both dated 
December 7, 2006.
    We agree to reference Revision 01 of the service bulletins in the 
AD. We have reviewed Revision 01 of the service bulletins, and the 
procedures are essentially the same as those in the original issues, as 
noted by ATR. We have changed paragraphs (e) and (g) of this AD to 
specify Revision 01 of the service bulletins.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD with the change described previously. We determined that this change 
will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the 
scope of the AD.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable in a U.S. court of 
law. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively 
from the information provided in the MCAI and related service 
information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These requirements, if 
any, take precedence over the actions copied from the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD affects 
about 53 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it takes 
about 1 work-hour per product to comply with this AD. The average labor 
rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost 
of the inspection on U.S. operators to be $4,240, or $80 per product.

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.
    We are 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

    We determined that 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) 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 AD:

2007-12-20 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-15098. Docket No. FAA-2007-
27358; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-270-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 19, 
2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -500 
airplanes; all serial numbers up to manufacturer serial number (MSN) 
643 inclusive; and Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211, -212, 
and -212A airplanes, all serial numbers up to MSN 728 inclusive, 
except MSN 723 and 725; certificated in any category.

Reason

    (d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states that recently an ATR 42 suffered electrical arcing, causing 
the loss of some instruments and loss of one hydraulic circuit 
pressure (i.e., loss of pressure of one hydraulic circuit) due to 
chafing between a bonding cable and electrical wires in the 120 VU 
(volt unit) electrical harness. The investigation showed that a 
tubular support had been deformed and therefore impaired the spacing 
among electrical harness, supports, and cables; the harness was not 
correctly attached; the size of the harness was increased by 
addition of cables (for Service Bulletins (SB) or customer 
modifications embodiments); and the bonding cable was not correctly 
installed. The MCAI mandates an inspection of the ATR 42 and ATR 72 
fleet for correct installation of the bonding cable and restoring 
correct installation of the bonding cable if necessary.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, do the following actions. Within 3 
months after the effective date of this AD: Inspect the harness 
installation in the 120 VU electrical harness and, as applicable, 
restore correct installation of the bonding cable, in accordance 
with the instructions given by Avions de Transport

[[Page 32780]]

Regional Service Bulletins ATR42-92-0012 (for Model ATR42 airplanes) 
and ATR72-92-1013 (for Model ATR72 airplanes), both dated July 4, 
2006; or Revision 01, both dated December 7, 2006; as applicable.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (f) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. Send information to ATTN: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC 
on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (g) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2006-0283, dated September 14, 2006; and the Avions de 
Transport Regional Service Bulletins specified in Table 1 of this AD 
for related information.

                  Table 1.--Related Service Information
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 Avions de transport regional
       service bulletin         Revision level             Date
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ATR42-92-0012................  Original........  July 4, 2006.
ATR42-92-0012................  01..............  December 7, 2006.
ATR72-92-1013................  Original........  July 4, 2006.
ATR72-92-1013................  01..............  December 7, 2006
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Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use the applicable Avions de Transport Regional 
Service Bulletins specified in Table 2 of this AD to do the actions 
required by this AD; unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, 
France.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Ave., SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 
on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or 
go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

              Table 2.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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 Avions de transport regional
       service bulletin         Revision level             Date
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ATR42-92-0012................  Original........  July 4, 2006.
ATR42-92-0012................  01..............  December 7, 2006.
ATR72-92-1013................  Original........  July 4, 2006.
ATR72-92-1013................  01..............  December 7, 2006
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    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 1, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-11202 Filed 6-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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