[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 39 (Friday, February 27, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9930-9932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4247]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-280-AD; Amendment 39-10354; AD 98-04-43]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR72 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model
[[Page 9931]]
ATR72 series airplanes, that requires removal of certain landing gear
attachment pins, and replacement of the pins with serviceable pins.
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 wear of the
attachment pins, which could result in collapse of the main landing
gear.
DATES: Effective April 3, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 3, 1998.
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 December 9,
1997 (62 FR 64777). That action proposed to require removal of certain
landing gear attachment pins, and replacement of the pins with
serviceable pins.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 39 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 18 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the
manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $42,120, or
$1,080 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:
98-04-43 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10354. Docket 97-NM-280-AD.
Applicability: Model ATR72 series airplanes; as identified in
Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1036, dated June 19,
1996, and Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1037, dated
June 19, 1996; 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 wear of the landing gear attachment pins, which could
result in collapse of the main landing gear (MLG), accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, remove
the MLG leg hinge pins and side brace assembly center pins having
the part numbers (P/N) specified in paragraph B. of the Planning
Information of Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1036,
dated June 19, 1996; and replace the pins with serviceable pins, in
accordance with the Aerospatiale service bulletin and Messier-Dowty
Service Bulletin No. 631-32-125, dated May 7, 1996.
(b) Prior to the accumulation of 15,000 landings since the last
overhaul of the MLG, or within 8 years since the last overhaul of
the MLG, whichever occurs first: Remove the MLG swinging lever/
barrel pins and shock absorber/universal joint hinge pins having the
P/N's specified in paragraph B. of the Planning Information of
Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1037, dated June 19,
1996; and replace the pins with serviceable pins; in accordance with
the Aerospatiale service bulletin and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin
No. 631-32-126, dated May 7, 1996.
Note 2: Serviceable pins include those that have been removed,
inspected, and marked with green paint in accordance with Messier-
Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-125, dated May 7, 1996; or
Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-126, dated May 7, 1996; as
applicable.
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
any MLG pin having a part number identified in Aerospatiale Service
Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1036, dated June 19, 1996, or Aerospatiale
Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1037, dated June 19, 1996, on any
airplane unless that pin is considered to be serviceable in
accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
[[Page 9932]]
(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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(e) 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.
(f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Aerospatiale
Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1036, dated June 19, 1996;
Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1037, dated June 19,
1996; Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-125, dated May 7,
1996; and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-126, dated May
7, 1996. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 96-096-029(B), dated May 9, 1996.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on April 3, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 12, 1998.
Gilbert L. Thompson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4247 Filed 2-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
