[Federal Register: June 12, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 112)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 27911-27913]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12jn09-4]
[[Page 27911]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0524; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-030-AD;
Amendment 39-15935; AD 2009-12-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; ATR Model ATR42-500 and ATR72-212A
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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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) originated by an aviation authority of
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
Identification of an unsafe condition related to the loss of the
fail-safe design criteria for the rudder trim, pitch trim and stick
pusher control functions after a reported event led in April 2008 to
the release of AD 2008-0062 to mandate the ATR modification No.
05780.
It has appeared that some airplanes manufactured and delivered
before April 1, 2008, may have received on the production-line a
partial or incorrect implementation of the required ATR mod. No.
05780.
* * * * *
The unsafe condition is loss of the rudder trim, pitch trim, and stick
pusher control, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: This AD becomes effective June 29, 2009.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications, listed in the AD as of June 29,
2009.
We must receive comments on this AD by July 13, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-1137; fax (425) 227-1139.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2008-0218, dated December 10, 2008 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
Identification of an unsafe condition related to the loss of the
fail-safe design criteria for the rudder trim, pitch trim and stick
pusher control functions after a reported event led in April 2008 to
the release of AD 2008-0062 to mandate the ATR modification No.
05780.
It has appeared that some airplanes manufactured and delivered
before April 1, 2008, may have received on the production-line a
partial or incorrect implementation of the required ATR mod. No.
05780.
For the reasons stated above, the present AD requires an
inspection of the identified airplanes to verify and, finalize when
necessary, the complete and correct implementation of the ATR mod.
No. 05780[.]
The unsafe condition is loss of the rudder trim, pitch trim, and stick
pusher control, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
Correct implementation of ATR modification No. 05780 includes
inspecting the protection sleeves for correct installation, and
installing new protective sleeving on the wire bundles in the rear
baggage zone if necessary; doing a detailed inspection for correct
positioning of the clamps for the wire bundles, and re-installing them
if necessary. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI
in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Avions de Transport Regional has issued Service Bulletins ATR42-92-
0020 and ATR72-92-1021, both dated October 17, 2008. The actions
described in this service information are intended to correct the
unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
There are no products of this type currently registered in the
United States. However, this rule is necessary to ensure that the
described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these products are
placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
Differences Between the 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 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 FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product,
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are
unnecessary.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We
[[Page 27912]]
invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about
this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES
section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-0524; Directorate Identifier
2009-NM-030-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically
invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and
energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all comments received by
the closing date and may amend this AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
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 this AD:
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. 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.
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:
2009-12-12 ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional (Formerly
Aerospatiale): Amendment 39-15935. Docket No. FAA-2009-0524;
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-030-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 29,
2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of the AD, certificated in any category.
(1) ATR Model ATR42-500 airplanes, manufacturer serial numbers
(MSNs) 667, 669, and 671.
(2) ATR Model ATR72-212A airplanes, MSNs 756 to 784 inclusive,
except MSNs 770, 773, and 783.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24:
Electrical Power.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
Identification of an unsafe condition related to the loss of the
fail-safe design criteria for the rudder trim, pitch trim and stick
pusher control functions after a reported event led in April 2008 to
the release of AD 2008-0062 to mandate the ATR modification No.
05780.
It has appeared that some airplanes manufactured and delivered
before April 1, 2008, may have received on the production-line a
partial or incorrect implementation of the required ATR mod. No.
05780.
For the reasons stated above, the present AD requires an
inspection of the identified airplanes to verify and, finalize when
necessary, the complete and correct implementation of the ATR mod.
No. 05780[.]
The unsafe condition is loss of the rudder trim, pitch trim, and
stick pusher control, which could result in loss of control of the
airplane. Correct implementation of ATR modification No. 05780
includes inspecting the protection sleeves for correct installation,
and installing new protective sleeving on the wire bundles in the
rear baggage zone if necessary; doing a detailed inspection for
correct positioning of the clamps for the wire bundles, and re-
installing them if necessary.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 550 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
do a detailed inspection to verify the installation of the correct
protection sleeves and the correct routing and clamping of the wire
bundles. Do the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-
92-0020 or ATR72-92-1021, both dated October 17, 2008; as
applicable.
(2) If any discrepancy is found during the inspection required
by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, do all
applicable corrective actions in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-
92-0020 or ATR72-92-1021, both dated October 17, 2008; as
applicable.
FAA AD Differences
Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No Differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1137; fax (425) 227-1139.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(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
[[Page 27913]]
requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2008-
0218, dated December 10, 2008; and Avions de Transport Regional
Service Bulletins ATR42-92-0020 and ATR72-92-1021, both dated
October 17, 2008; for related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin
ATR42-92-0020, dated October 17, 2008; or Avions de Transport
Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-92-1021, dated October 17, 2008; as
applicable; 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 ATR-
GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional, 1, All[eacute]e Pierre
Nadot, 31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 (0) 5 62 21 62 21;
fax +33 (0) 5 62 21 67 18; e-mail continued.airworthiness@atr.fr;
Internet http://www.aerochain.com.
(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information that
is incorporated by reference 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/code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 2, 2009.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-13573 Filed 6-11-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P