[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 117 (Wednesday, June 18, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36525-36526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15338]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-169-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-500 and ATR72
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-
500 and ATR72 series airplanes. This proposal would require inspecting
the wire bundle in the area of electrical rack 90VU to detect damage,
verifying that the conduit around the wire bundle is in the proper
position, and installing a clamp between the wire bundles and the
carbon shelves structure. This action is necessary to prevent chafing
of a wire bundle, which could result in an electrical short and
potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight. This
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by July 18, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-169-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-169-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex
03, France. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer;
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
[sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2002-NM-169-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped
and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2002-NM-169-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-500 and ATR72
series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, after parking a Model ATR42-
500 series airplane with the right-hand engine on, the flightcrew tried
unsuccessfully to start the left-hand engine. Investigation revealed
wire chafing on electrical rack 90VU between the carbon structure of
the 95VU shelf and the main wire bundle. This chafing led to a short
circuit, which burned several wires of the bundle (including the left-
hand engine ignition circuits) and the protective sheath (conduit). It
was determined that the chafing and subsequent electrical short circuit
probably occurred when the wire bundle on the shelf was mispositioned
during maintenance, and that this wire bundle is susceptible to such
mispositioning. This created a direct contact between the wire bundle
and the carbon shelf (an abrasive structure). This condition could also
exist on shelves 93VU and 94VU and, if not corrected, could result in
the loss of several functions essential for safe flight.
The design of the wire bundle routing is the same on Model ATR42-
500 and ATR72 series airplanes; therefore, these airplane models are
subject to the identified unsafe condition.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued Avions de Transport Regional Service
Bulletins ATR42-92-0007 (for Model ATR42-500 series airplanes) and
ATR72-92-1007 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), both dated January
25, 2002. These service bulletins describe procedures for inspecting
the wire bundles in the area of electrical rack 90VU to detect damage,
verifying that the conduit around the wire bundles is in the proper
position, and installing a clamp between the wire bundles and the
carbon shelves structure (93VU, 94VU, 95VU). Accomplishment of the
actions specified in the applicable service bulletins is intended to
adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified
these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness
directives 2002-090-092(B) and 2002-091-066(B), both
[[Page 36526]]
dated February 20, 2002, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in France.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously. The
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the
service bulletins described previously, except as discussed below.
Difference Between Proposed AD and Service Bulletins
The service bulletins do not provide procedures to repair damaged
wiring. This proposed AD would require that damaged wiring be repaired
in accordance with the applicable ATR Aircraft Schematic Manual,
Chapter 20-27-17, dated October 1, 1995.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the Proposed AD
On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of
compliance (AMOCs). It is not necessary to include this material in
each individual AD; however, the office authorized to approve AMOCs is
identified in paragraph (b) of this proposed AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 86 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $259 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $42,914,
or $499 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures
discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to
perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other
administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
Aerospatiale: Docket 2002-NM-169-AD.
Applicability: Model ATR42-500 and ATR72 series airplanes,
certificated in any category, on which ATR Modification 1447 has
been incorporated and ATR Modification 4840 has not been
incorporated.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent chafing of a wire bundle in the area of electrical
rack 90VU, which could result in an electrical short and potential
loss of several functions essential for safe flight, accomplish the
following:
Modification
(a) Within 500 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a detailed inspection to
detect damage of the wire bundles in the area of electrical rack
90VU, ensure that the conduit around the wire bundles is in the
proper position, and install a clamp between the wire bundles and
the carbon shelves structure (94VU, 94VU, 95VU); in accordance with
Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-92-0007 (for
Model ATR42-500 series airplanes) or ATR72-92-1007 (for Model ATR72
series airplanes), both dated January 25, 2002, as applicable.
Repair any damaged wiring before further flight in accordance with
Chapter 20-27-17 of the applicable ATR Aircraft Schematic Manual,
dated October 1, 1995.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage,
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror,
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate
access procedures may be required.''
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods
of compliance for this AD.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directives 2002-090-092(B) and 2002-091-066(B), both
dated February 20, 2002.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 12, 2003.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-15338 Filed 6-17-03; 8:45 am]
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