[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 136 (Thursday, July 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38286-38287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18772]
[[Page 38286]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-149-AD; Amendment 39-10663; AD 98-15-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and 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 ATR42 and ATR72 series
airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection of the electromagnetic
interference (EMI) filter capacitors and electronic cards of the cabin
air recirculation fans to detect damage. This amendment also requires
replacement of damaged components with new or serviceable parts, and
modification of the cabin air assembly fans. 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 overheating and consequent failure of the EMI
filter capacitors, which could result in emission of toxic smoke and
fumes throughout the airplane, and consequent adverse effects on flight
crew and passengers.
DATES: Effective August 20, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 20, 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 ATR42
and ATR72 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May
20, 1998 (63 FR 27688). That action proposed to require a one-time
inspection of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter capacitors
and electronic cards of the cabin air recirculation fans to detect
damage. That action also proposed to require replacement of damaged
components with new or serviceable parts, and modification of the cabin
air assembly fans.
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.
Explanation of Changes Made to This Final Rule
In the applicability paragraph of the proposal, the FAA
inadvertently referenced Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin
ATR42-21-0069, dated February 5, 1998, and Avions de Transport Regional
Service Bulletin ATR72-21-1048, dated February 5, 1998, as Aerospatiale
Service Bulletins. Therefore, the FAA has revised the final rule
accordingly.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule with the change previously described.
The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action until final action is
identified, at which time the FAA may consider additional rulemaking.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 81 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD.
It will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $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 $14,580, or $180 per
airplane.
It will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the required modification at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. The cost of the required parts will be minimal. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the modification required by this AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,720, or $120 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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:
[[Page 38287]]
98-15-12 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10663. Docket 98-NM-149-AD.
Applicability: Model ATR42-300, -320, and -500 series airplanes,
as listed in Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-21-
0069, dated February 5, 1998; and Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202,
-211, -212, and -212A series airplanes, as listed in Avions de
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-21-1048, dated February 5,
1998; 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 (c) 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 overheating and consequent failure of the
electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter capacitors, which could
result in emission of toxic smoke and fumes throughout the airplane,
and consequent adverse effects on flight crew and passengers,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 11 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a one-time visual inspection to detect damage of the EMI
filter capacitors and electronic cards of the cabin air
recirculation fan of the right and left air-conditioning packs, in
accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-
21-0069, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes),
or ATR72-21-1048, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR72 series
airplanes), as applicable.
(1) If no discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight,
modify and re-identify each fan assembly, in accordance with the
applicable service bulletin.
(2) If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight,
replace the damaged components with new or serviceable components,
and modify and re-identify the fan assembly, in accordance with the
applicable service bulletin.
Note 2: Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-21-
0069, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes), and
ATR72-21-1048, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR72 series
airplanes), reference EG&G Rotron Service Bulletin 011232500-21-1,
dated December 12, 1997, as an additional source of service
information for accomplishment of the modification.
(b) As the effective date of this AD, no person shall install on
any airplane a cabin air-conditioning recirculation Rotron fan
having part number (P/N) 011232500 Amend. A, or P/N 011494500 Amend.
A, on the left or right air-conditioning pack.
(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, 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.
(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 actions shall be done in accordance with Avions de
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-21-0069, dated February 5,
1998, or Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-21-
1048, dated February 5, 1998, as applicable. 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 directives 98-070-074(B) and 98-073-037(B), both dated
February 11, 1998.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 20, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 8, 1998.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18772 Filed 7-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
