94-25057. Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200 and -300 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 208 (Friday, October 28, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page ]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-25057]
    
    
    [Federal Register: October 28, 1994]
    
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 94-NM-43-AD; Amendment 39-9046; AD 94-21-04]
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200 and -300 
    Series Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
    applicable to certain Model ATR42-200 and -300 series airplanes, that 
    requires a one-time dye penetrant inspection to detect cracking in 
    certain hinge pins of the nose landing gear (NLG), and replacement of 
    cracked pins with crack-free pins. This amendment is prompted by 
    reports of cracking of certain hinge pins in the NLG. The actions 
    specified by this AD are intended to prevent collapse of the NLG due to 
    cracking of the hinge pins.
    
    DATES: Effective November 28, 1994.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of November 28, 1994.
    
    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: Sam Grober, Aerospace Engineer, 
    Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
    1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
    227-1187; fax (206) 227-1320.
    
    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 ATR42-
    200 and -300 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
    June 6, 1994 (59 FR 29210). That action proposed to require a one-time 
    dye penetrant inspection to detect cracking in certain hinge pins in 
    the NLG, and replacement of cracked pins with crack-free pins.
        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.
        The commenter supports the proposed rule.
        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 as proposed.
        The FAA estimates that 128 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
    affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per 
    airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
    rate is $55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
    impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $42,240, or $330 
    per airplane.
        The total 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.
        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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
    106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
    
    
    Sec. 39.13  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
    airworthiness directive:
    
    94-21-04  Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-9046. Docket 94-NM-43-AD.
    
        Applicability: Model ATR42-200 and -300 series airplanes 
    equipped with hinge pins installed at the nose landing gear (NLG) 
    that are manufactured by Nardi, have part number D56867, and have 
    serial numbers beginning with the letter ``N'', certificated in any 
    category.
        Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent collapse of the NLG due to cracking of the hinge 
    pins, accomplish the following:
        (a) Prior to the accumulation of 10,000 total landings or within 
    1,000 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
    later, perform a dye penetrant inspection to detect cracking in the 
    hinge pins on the NLG in accordance with Avions de Transport 
    Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-32-0064, dated January 17, 1994.
        (1) If no cracking is found, prior to further flight, reinstall 
    that hinge pin in accordance with the service bulletin.
        (2) If cracking is found, prior to further flight, install a new 
    hinge pin or a pin that has been previously inspected and found to 
    be crack-free, in accordance with the service bulletin.
        (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no hinge pin 
    manufactured by Nardi having part number D56867 and any serial 
    number beginning with the letter ``N,'' shall be installed on the 
    NLG of any airplane, unless that pin has been previously inspected 
    and has been found to be crack-free, in accordance with Avions de 
    Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-32-0064, dated January 17, 
    1994.
        (c) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
    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, 
    Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
    
        Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
    
        (d) 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.
        (e) The inspection, reinstallation, and installation shall be 
    done in accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service 
    Bulletin ATR42-32-0064, dated January 17, 1994. 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.
        (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 28, 1994.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 4, 1994.
    S.R. Miller,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 94-25057 Filed 10-27-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
11/28/1994
Published:
10/28/1994
Department:
Transportation Department
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
94-25057
Dates:
Effective November 28, 1994.
Pages:
0-0 (None pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: October 28, 1994, Docket No. 94-NM-43-AD, Amendment 39-9046, AD 94-21-04
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13