[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8712-8714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4217]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-118-AD; Amendment 39-11049; AD 99-04-24]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR72 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR72 series airplanes, that
requires a one-time inspection to detect damage of certain anchor nuts
located on the upper surface of the wings, and replacement of the
anchor nuts with new or serviceable nuts, if necessary. This amendment
is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of anchor nuts on
the upper surface of the wings, which could result in reduced
structural integrity of the airplane.
DATES: Effective March 30, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 30, 1999.
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: 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: 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 ATR72
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 4, 1998
(63 FR 30425). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection of
certain anchor nuts located on the upper surface of the wings to detect
damage, and replacement of the anchor nuts with new or serviceable
nuts, if necessary.
Comments
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.
Request To Reference Latest Service Bulletin
The commenter requests that the proposed AD be revised to reference
Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-57-1019, Revision
1, dated May 12, 1998, as an additional source of service information
for accomplishment of the actions specified in the proposal. The
commenter states that Revision 1 is essentially identical to the
original issue, which was cited as the appropriate source of service
information for accomplishment of the actions specified in the proposed
AD, and merely adds additional explanations and editorial corrections
that do not affect the airplanes already inspected and repaired in
accordance with the original service bulletin.
The FAA concurs with the commenter's request to reference the
latest service bulletin. The FAA has reviewed Revision 1 of the service
bulletin and finds it is an acceptable method of compliance for
accomplishment of the actions required by this AD.
The final rule has been revised accordingly.
[[Page 8713]]
Conclusion
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 with the change described
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 39 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $18,720, or $480 per airplane.
The 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.
Regulatory Impact
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
99-04-24 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-11049. Docket 98-NM-118-AD.
Applicability: Model ATR72-102, -201, -202, and -212 series
airplanes; as listed in Avions de Transport Regional Service
Bulletin ATR72-57-1019, dated July 7, 1997; 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 (b) 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 failure of anchor nuts on the upper surface of the
wings, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the
airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect
the anchor nuts, having part number (P/N) NAS1473A5, located on the
upper surface of the wing to detect damage, in accordance with
Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-57-1019, dated
July 7, 1997, or Revision 1, dated May 12, 1998.
(1) If no damage is detected, no further action is required by
this AD.
(2) If any damage is detected, and the damage is within the
allowable limits specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the
service bulletin, prior to the accumulation of an additional 4,000
flight cycles following the inspection, replace the damaged nut
having P/N NAS1473A5 with a new or serviceable nut, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
(3) If any damage is detected, and the damage is outside the
allowable limits specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the
service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with
a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or the Direction Generale de
l'Aviation Civile (or its delegated agent).
(b) 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.
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.
(c) 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.
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Avions de
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-57-1019, dated July 7,
1997, or Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-57-
1019, Revision 1, dated May 12, 1998, which contains the following
list of effective pages:
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Revision level shown
Page No. on page Date shown on page
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1-7, 10, 12, 13, 17......... 1................... May 12, 1998.
8, 9, 11, 14-16............. Original............ July 7, 1997.
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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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 97-264-034(B), dated September 24, 1997.
[[Page 8714]]
(e) This amendment becomes effective on March 30, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 12, 1999.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-4217 Filed 2-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
