[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 31, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47384-47385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22389]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-201-AD; Amendment 39-11272; AD 99-18-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-300 and ATR42-
320 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 ATR42-300 and ATR42-320 series
airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection for cracking of a
fastener hole located on the lower surface of the outer wing, and
repair, if necessary; and cold working of the hole and installation of
a new fastener in the hole. 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 fatigue damage on the outer wing and consequent reduced
structural integrity of the wing.
DATES: Effective October 5, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 5, 1999.
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-
300 and ATR42-320 series airplanes was published in the Federal
Register on June 23, 1999 (64 FR 33441). That action proposed to
require a one-time inspection for cracking of a fastener hole located
on the lower surface of the outer wing, and repair, if necessary; and
cold working of the hole and installation of a new fastener in the
hole.
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 14 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 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 the operator. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the required AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$6,720, or $480 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
[[Page 47385]]
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:
99-18-06 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-11272. Docket 98-NM-201-AD.
Applicability: Model ATR42-300 and ATR42-320 series airplanes,
serial numbers 3 through 59 inclusive; 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 (b) 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 fatigue damage on the outer wing and consequent
reduced structural integrity of the wing, accomplish the following:
Corrective Action
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 33,000 total landings, or
within 2,000 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later, accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in
accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-
57-0050, dated April 17, 1998.
(1) Perform a high frequency eddy current inspection to detect
cracking of the fastener hole located on the lower surface of the
outer wing near the spar/rib 15 junction. If any cracking is found,
prior to further flight, repair the cracking in accordance with a
method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-
116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, or the Direction Generale
de l'Aviation Civile (or its delegated agent).
(2) Perform cold working of the fastener hole located on the
lower surface of the outer wing near the spar/rib 15 junction, and
install a new fastener in the hole.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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, International Branch, ANM-116.
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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
Special Flight Permits
(c) 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.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) Except as provided by paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, the
actions shall be done in accordance with Avions de Transport
Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-57-0050, dated April 17, 1998. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 98-147-075(B), dated April 8, 1998.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 5, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 23, 1999.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-22389 Filed 8-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
