[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 19, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36971-36972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16126]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-36-AD; Amendment 39-9301; AD 95-14-07]
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR72-100 and -200
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 Model ATR72-100 and -200 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 August 18, 1995.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 18, 1995.
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: Gary Lium, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-1112; fax (206) 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-
100 and -200 series airplanes was published as a supplemental notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on March 22, 1995
(60 FR 15084). That action proposed to require a one-time dye penetrant
inspection to detect cracking in certain hinge pins in the nose landing
gear (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 28 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 $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,080, or $360
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.
[[Page 36972]]
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:
95-14-07 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-9301. Docket 94-NM-36-AD.
Applicability: Model ATR72-100 and -200 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.
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 use the authority
provided in paragraph (e) of this AD to request approval from the
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent collapse of the NLG due to cracking of the hinge
pins, accomplish the following:
(a) Perform a dye penetrant inspection to detect cracking in the
hinge pins of the NLG in accordance with Avions de Transport
Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-32-1021, dated January 17, 1994, at
the time specified in either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) or this AD,
as applicable.
(1) For airplanes that have accumulated 10,000 total landings or
more as of the effective date of this AD: Within 1,000 landings
after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 10,000 total
landings as of the effective date of this AD: Within 1,500 landings
after the effective date of this AD.
(b) If no cracking is found, prior to further flight, reinstall
that hinge pin in accordance with Avions de Transport Regional
Service Bulletin ATR72-32-1021, dated January 17, 1994.
(c) 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 Avions de Transport Regional
Service Bulletin ATR72-32-1021, dated January 17, 1994.
(d) 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 Avions de
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-32-1021, dated January 17,
1994.
(e) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(f) 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.
(g) The inspection and installations shall be done in accordance
with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-32-1021,
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.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on August 18, 1995.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 26, 1995.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-16126 Filed 7-18-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-V
