[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 27, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57787-57789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28080]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-183-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 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 all Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and
ATR72 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the
alerting capability of the anti-icing advisory system to improve crew
awareness of icing conditions, replacement of the median wing de-icing
boots with extended de-icing boots, and installation of de-icing boots
on the metallic wing leading edge. This proposal is prompted by
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD
are intended to prevent degradation of lift and drag characteristics in
prolonged severe icing exposure, which could result in loss of lift and
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 26, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-183-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
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: 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:
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 notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
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 notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NM-183-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. 99-NM-183-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 all Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 series
airplanes. The DGAC advises that, in several instances, crews have
failed to activate the de-icing boots, despite the fact that ice
accretion had been detected by the Anti-icing Advisory System (AAS).
This failure to activate the de-icing boots may indicate that the
current design of the AAS may not provide adequate alerting to the
flight crew in all instances of ice accretion. In addition, the
existing wing de-icing boots may not be adequate to protect the
airplane during prolonged exposure to severe icing conditions. Such
prolonged exposure could result in degradation of lift and drag
characteristics, which could result in loss of lift and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Aerospatiale has issued Service Bulletins ATR42-30-0064, Revision
1, dated May 7, 1999, and ATR42-30-0063, Revision 1, dated May 7, 1999
(for Model ATR42 series airplanes); and Service Bulletins ATR72-30-
1032, Revision 1, dated May 7, 1999, and ATR72-30-1033, Revision 1,
dated May 7, 1999 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes). These service
bulletins describe procedures for replacing the median wing de-icing
boots with extended de-icing boots and installing de-icing boots on the
metallic wing leading edge.
Additionally, Aerospatiale has issued Service Bulletin ATR42-30-
0065, Revision 1, dated May 17, 1999 (for Model ATR42 series
airplanes), and Service Bulletin ATR72-30-1034, Revision 1, dated May
17, 1999 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes). These service bulletins
describe procedures for modifying the ICING light flashing logic of the
AAS.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The
DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French
[[Page 57788]]
airworthiness directives 1999-165-077(B), dated April 21, 1999 (for
Model ATR42 series airplanes), and 1999-166-041(B), dated April 21,
1999 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), in order to assure 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 bulletins described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 140 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
The proposed replacement of existing de-icing boots and the new
installation of de-icing boots would take approximately 75 work hours
per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $5,500 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $1,400,000, or $10,000 per airplane.
The proposed modification of the alerting capability of the Anti-
icing Advisory System (AAS) would take approximately 30 work hours per
airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour.
Required parts would cost approximately $2,000 per airplane. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $532,000, or $3,800 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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 99-NM-183-AD.
Applicability: All Model ATR42 and ATR72 series airplanes,
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 (d) 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 degradation of lift and drag characteristics in
prolonged severe icing exposure, which could result in loss of lift
and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish
the following:
Boot Replacement/Installation
(a) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the median wing de-icing boots with extended de-icing boots
in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-30-0063,
Revision 1, dated May 7, 1999 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes), or
ATR72-30-1032, Revision 1, dated May 7, 1999 (for Model ATR72 series
airplanes); as applicable.
(b) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD,
install de-icing boots on the metallic wing leading edge in
accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-30-0064,
Revision 1, dated May 7, 1999 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes), or
ATR72-30-1033, Revision 1, dated May 7, 1999 (for Model ATR72 series
airplanes); as applicable.
Modification
(c) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the ICING light flashing logic of the Anti-icing Advisory System
(AAS), in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-30-
0065, Revision 1, dated May 17, 1999 (for Model ATR42 series
airplanes), or Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR72-30-1034, Revision
1, dated May 17, 1999 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes); as
applicable.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) 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.
Special Flight Permits
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directives 1999-
[[Page 57789]]
165-077(B), dated April 21, 1999 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes),
and 1999-166-041(B), dated April 21, 1999 (for Model ATR72 series
airplanes).
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 21, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-28080 Filed 10-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
