[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 178 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49280-49281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24407]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-159-AD; Amendment 39-10756; AD 98-19-16]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR72-212A 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 ATR72-212A series airplanes,
that requires installation of bushings on the lower attachment fittings
of the flap support beam. 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 rupture of the lower attachment fittings of the flap support
beam due to fatigue, and consequent damage to the flaps; these
conditions could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective October 20, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 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 ATR72-
212A series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 23,
1998 (63 FR 39538). That action proposed to require installation of
bushings on the lower attachment fittings of the flap support beam.
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 4 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 25 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the
[[Page 49281]]
required installation, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work
hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to
the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
installation required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$6,000, or $1,500 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 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:
98-19-16 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10756. Docket 98-NM-159-AD.
Applicability: Model ATR72-212A series airplanes, on which
Aerospatiale Modification 4831 has not been accomplished;
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 rupture of the lower attachment fittings of the flap
support beam due to fatigue, and consequent damage to the flaps,
accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 24,000 total flight cycles, or
within 500 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later, install bushings on the lower attachment
fittings of the flap support beam in accordance with Avions de
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-57-1020, dated March 9,
1998.
(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, 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 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.
(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.
(d) The installation shall be done in accordance with Avions de
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-57-1020, dated March 9,
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 98-072-036(B), dated February 11, 1998, as
revised by Erratum 98-072-036(B), dated February 25, 1998.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 20, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 4, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24407 Filed 9-14-98; 8:45 am]
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