2017-10258. Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-500 airplanes and Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of failure of emergency power supply units (EPSUs) in production and in service. This AD requires an inspection to determine the part number and serial number of each EPSU, and replacement if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective June 27, 2017.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

For ATR service information identified in this final rule, contact ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional, 1, Allée Pierre Nadot, 31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; email [e-mail]; Internet http://www.aerochain.com.

For COBHAM service information identified in this final rule, contact COBHAM Aerospace Communications, 174-178 Quai de Jemmapes, Paris, France, 75010; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; Internet www.cobham.com.

You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9430.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9430; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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 Office (telephone [phone]) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-500 airplanes and Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2016 (81 FR 86627). The NPRM was prompted by reports of failure of EPSUs in production and in service. The NPRM proposed to require an inspection to determine the part number and serial number of each EPSU, and replacement if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct defective internal electronic components, which could adversely affect the EPSU internal battery. This condition could result in a partial or total loss of emergency lighting, possibly affecting passenger evacuation during an emergency situation.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2016-0070, dated April 11, 2016; corrected April 12, 2016 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”); to correct an unsafe condition for certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-500 airplanes and Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A airplanes. The MCAI states:

Some failure cases have been reported of emergency power supply units (EPSU), Part Number (P/N) 301-3100 Amdt [Amendment] A, both on the production line and in service. The results of the technical investigations revealed that these failures could have been caused by a defective internal electronic component, which could affect the EPSU internal battery charge.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in a partial or total (depending on number of affected EPSUs installed) loss of emergency lighting, possibly affecting passenger evacuation during an emergency situation.

To address this potential unsafe condition, ATR issued Service Bulletin (SB) ATR42-33-0050 and SB ATR72-33-1043 to provide instructions to inspect EPSUs.

For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires identification and replacement of the affected EPSUs with serviceable units.

This [EASA] AD was republished to correct two typographical errors in paragraph (3) of the [EASA] AD and to specify the correct Revision (3) of the Cobham SB 301-3100-33-002.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9430.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to that comment.

Request To Refer to Revised Service Information

Empire Airlines requested that the NPRM be revised to refer to the current revision levels of the applicable ATR service information, which were issued by ATR after the NPRM was published in the Federal Register. Empire Airlines noted that the revised service information does not include any additional actions for airplanes on which the previous service information was accomplished and the serial numbers of the parts to be inspected have not changed.

We agree with the commenter's request for the reasons provided by the commenter. In paragraph (g) of the proposed AD, we identified ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 01, dated January 26, 2016; and ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 01, dated January 26, 2016; as the appropriate sources of service information for doing the EPSU inspection and corrective actions. We have revised paragraph (g) of this AD to refer to ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 03, dated May 25, 2016; and ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 03, dated July 20, 2016; as the appropriate sources of service information for accomplishing the required actions.

We have also revised paragraph (k) of this AD to provide credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using the service information identified in paragraphs (k)(1) through (k)(6) of this AD.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

• Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

We also determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

ATR has issued Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 03, dated May 25, 2016; and ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 03, dated July 20, 2016. This service information describes procedures for inspecting an EPSU to determine the part number, serial number, and amendment level, and replacing the EPSU. These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane models.

Cobham Aerospace Communications has issued COBHAM Service Bulletin 301-3100-33-002, Revision 3, dated July 30, 2015, which describes procedures for modifying an EPSU by replacing the printed circuit board.

This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 11 airplanes of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators
Inspection	1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 per EPSU	$0	$85 per EPSU (4 EPSUs per airplane)	$3,740

We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements that will be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these replacements:

On-Condition Costs

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product
Replacement	1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 per EPSU	Not available	$85

According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.

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 that 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);

3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and

4. 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2017-09-12 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional: Amendment 39-18874; Docket No. FAA-2016-9430; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-051-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective June 27, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to the ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.

(1) Model ATR42-500 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers (MSNs), except those on which ATR Modification 6780 has been embodied in production.

(2) Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A airplanes, all MSNs on which ATR Modification 3715 has been embodied in production, except those on which ATR Modification 6780 has been embodied in production.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 33, Lights.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by reports of failure of emergency power supply units (EPSUs) in production and in service. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct defective internal electronic components, which could adversely affect the EPSU internal battery. This condition could result in a partial or total loss of emergency lighting, possibly affecting passenger evacuation during an emergency situation.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Inspection of EPSU and Corrective Action

Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect each EPSU on the airplane to determine the part number (P/N) and serial number. For any EPSU having P/N 301-3100 Amendment (Amdt) A and a serial number identified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, and that does not have a control sticker marked with “SIL 301-3100-33-001”: Except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD, before further flight, replace the EPSU with a serviceable unit, as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 03, dated May 25, 2016; or Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 03, dated July 20, 2016; as applicable. A review of airplane maintenance records may be done in lieu of inspection of the EPSUs on the airplane if the part number and serial number of each EPSU can be positively determined from that review.

Figure 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD—Affected Serial Numbers of EPSU P/N 301-3100 Amdt A

Affected Serial Numbers of EPSU P/N 301-3100 Amdt A
2905	4929	4960	4994	5025	5077	5113	5156
2906	4930	4961	4995	5026	5079	5114	5157
3401	4931	4962	4996	5027	5080	5115	5158
3697	4932	4963	4997	5028	5081	5116	5159
3825	4933	4964	4998	5029	5082	5117	5160
4343	4934	4965	4999	5031	5083	5118	5161
4420	4935	4966	5000	5032	5084	5119	5162
4634	4936	4967	5001	5033	5085	5120	5163
4706	4937	4968	5002	5034	5086	5121	5164
4707	4938	4969	5003	5038	5087	5122	5166
4708	4939	4970	5004	5041	5088	5123	5171
4709	4940	4971	5005	5042	5089	5124	5172
4710	4941	4972	5006	5046	5090	5125	5173
4711	4942	4973	5007	5047	5091	5126	5174
4712	4943	4976	5008	5050	5092	5127	5175
4713	4944	4977	5009	5052	5096	5128	5176
4714	4945	4978	5010	5054	5097	5129	5177
4715	4946	4979	5011	5055	5098	5130	5178
4716	4947	4980	5012	5056	5099	5131	5179
4717	4948	4981	5013	5058	5100	5132	5180
4718	4949	4982	5014	5059	5101	5133	5181
4719	4950	4983	5015	5065	5103	5134	5182
4720	4951	4984	5016	5067	5104	5135	5183
4721	4952	4985	5017	5068	5105	5136	5184
4722	4953	4986	5018	5069	5106	5138	5185
4723	4954	4987	5019	5070	5107	5139	5186
4724	4955	4988	5020	5071	5108	5140	5187
4745	4956	4989	5021	5072	5109	5147	None
4926	4957	4990	5022	5073	5110	5153	None
4927	4958	4991	5023	5075	5111	5154	None
4928	4959	4993	5024	5076	5112	5155	None

(h) Definition of Serviceable EPSU

For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable EPSU is one that meets the criteria in paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), or (h)(3) of this AD.

(1) Has P/N 301-3100 Amdt A and a serial number that is not included figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD.

(2) Has P/N 301-3100 Amdt A and a serial number that is included in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, but has a control sticker marked with “SIL 301-3100-33-001.”

(3) Has P/N 301-3100 Amdt B, or later amendment.

(i) Alternative Modification of Affected EPSU

In lieu of the replacement required by paragraph (g) of this AD, modification of an affected EPSU may be done in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of COBHAM Service Bulletin 301-3100-33-002, Revision 3, dated July 30, 2015.

(j) Parts Installation Prohibition

As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on any airplane any EPSU having P/N 301-3100 Amdt A and a serial number identified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, unless it has a control sticker marked with “SIL 301-3100-33-001.”

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using the applicable service information identified in paragraph (k)(1), (k)(2), (k)(3), (k)(4), (k)(5), or (k)(6) of this AD, provided it can be determined that no EPSU having a serial number listed in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD has been installed on that airplane since the actions in the applicable service bulletin were completed.

(1) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, dated December 11, 2015.

(2) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 01, dated January 26, 2016.

(3) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 02, dated May 2, 2016.

(4) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, dated December 11, 2015.

(5) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 01, dated January 26, 2016.

(6) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 02, dated May 2, 2016.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

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. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]. Information may be emailed to: [e-mail]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(m) Related Information

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD 2016-0070, dated April 11, 2016; corrected April 12, 2016; for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9430.

(2) For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]. Information may be emailed to: [e-mail].

(3) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (n)(3), (n)(4), and (n)(5) of this AD.

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.

(i) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 03, dated May 25, 2016.

(ii) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 03, dated July 20, 2016.

(iii) COBHAM Service Bulletin 301-3100-33-002, Revision 3, dated July 30, 2015.

(3) For ATR service information identified in this AD, contact ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional, 1, Allée Pierre Nadot, 31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; email [e-mail]; Internet http://www.aerochain.com.

(4) For COBHAM service information identified in this AD, contact Cobham Aerospace Communications, 174-178 Quai de Jemmapes, Paris, France, 75010; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

(5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

(6) You may view this 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/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 27, 2017.

Paul Bernado,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.