[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17591]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: July 20, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-48-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, and
-320 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive that is applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -
300, and -320 series airplanes. This proposal would require
modification of the wiring in the elevator controls and the pitch trim
dissymmetry monitoring equipment. This proposal is prompted by a report
of loss of a propeller and engine gearbox, which resulted in damage to
the fuselage. There has also been a report that a modification was
implemented in the elevator control cables during manufacture, which
reduced the maximum physical separation between the elevator controls
and the monitoring equipment. The actions specified by the proposed AD
are intended to prevent reduced controllability of the airplane in the
event that debris from an engine burst or propeller failure were to
strike the fuselage and sever the elevator flight controls.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 22, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-48-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex
03, France. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sam Grober, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-1187; fax (206) 227-1320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 94-NM-48-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 94-NM-48-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056.
Discussion
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -
300, and -320 series airplanes. The DGAC advises of a recent incident
involving a Model ATR42-300 in which loss of a propeller and engine
gearbox damaged the fuselage in the right-hand propeller plane of
rotation. The DGAC also advises that a modification was implemented in
the elevator control cables during manufacture that reduced the maximum
physical separation between the elevator controls and the monitoring
equipment. This reduced separation could allow severing of the elevator
flight controls in the event that debris from an engine burst or
propeller failure were to strike the fuselage. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
Aerospatiale has issued Service Bulletins ATR42-27-0068, and ATR42-
27-0069, both dated January 25, 1994, that describe procedures for
rerouting the wiring between the normal mechanical pitch controls and
the normal electric pitch trim controls, and between the normal
mechanical pitch controls and the pitch trim dissymmetry monitoring
equipment. Accomplishment of this modification is intended to restore
maximum physical separation between the elevator controls and the
monitoring equipment. The DGAC has issued French Airworthiness
Directive 93-205-052(B), as revised by Erratum, dated February 2, 1994,
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the applicable
bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral
airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed of the
situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the
DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require modification of the
wiring in the elevator controls and the pitch trim dissymmetry
monitoring equipment. The actions would be required to be accomplished
in accordance with the service bulletins described previously.
The FAA estimates that 110 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 49 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would be
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $296,450, or $2,695 per airplane.
The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
Aerospatiale: Docket 94-NM-48-AD.
Applicability: Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 series airplanes;
as listed in Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0068 and ATR42-
27-0069, both dated January 25, 1994; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the wiring in the elevator controls and the pitch trim dissymmetry
monitoring equipment, in accordance with Aerospatiale Service
Bulletin ATR42-27-0068 or ATR42-27-0069, both dated January 25,
1994, as applicable.
(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, 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: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 13, 1994.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-17591 Filed 7-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
