[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 182 (Monday, September 21, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50132-50134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24903]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-44-AD; Amendment 39-10772; AD 98-20-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 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 series airplanes, that
requires modification of the electrical power supply for the standby
horizon indicator. 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
loss of the standby horizon indicator in the event of failure of
emergency direct current (DC) power, which could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane during instrument flight rules
conditions.
DATES: Effective October 26, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 26, 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
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 12, 1998
(63 FR 26106). That action proposed to require modification of the
electrical power supply for the standby horizon indicator.
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, an operator of the affected airplanes, requests that
the proposed rule be revised as follows:
--For airplanes on which Aerospatiale Modification 03059 has not been
accomplished, allow accomplishment of the actions specified in the
original issue of Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-
34-0090.
--For all other airplanes, Revision 1 of that service bulletin should
be required to be accomplished.
The commenter notes that Revision 1 of the service bulletin is
specified in the proposed rule as the appropriate source of service
information for all affected airplanes. The commenter states that, from
a technical standpoint, there is no difference between the original
issue and Revision 1 of the service bulletin in regard to installations
accomplished on
[[Page 50133]]
its fleet. The commenter adds that Revision 1 integrates additional
wiring options in Figures 9, 19, and 20 of the service bulletin (in
regard to the commenter's fleet) for airplanes on which Aerospatiale
Modification 03059 has been accomplished; that modification does not
apply to the commenter's fleet.
The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request. The FAA has
confirmed that some airplanes on which Aerospatiale Modification 03059
has not been accomplished that have been modified in accordance with
the original issue of the service bulletin do not require additional
work in accordance with Revision 1. However, other such airplanes do
require additional work because of certain changes in the wiring design
contained in Revision 1.
An operator of airplanes that have been modified previously in
accordance with the original issue of the service bulletin should
review the work specified in Revision 1 to determine what additional
work is necessary for its affected fleet. If no additional work is
necessary to conform to Revision 1 of the service bulletin, those
airplanes would be considered to be in compliance with the AD, as
provided by the phrase, ``unless accomplished previously'', in the
compliance provision of the AD. No change to this final rule is
necessary.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, 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 88 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 10 to 55 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the required modification (depending
on how many kits are needed for each airplane), and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $52,800
and $290,400, or between $600 and $3,300 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:
98-20-06 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10772. Docket 98-NM-44-AD.
Applicability: Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 series airplanes
on which Aerospatiale Modification 4647 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 loss of the standby horizon indicator in the event of
failure of emergency direct current (DC) power, which could result
in reduced controllability of the airplane during instrument flight
rules conditions, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the electrical power supply for the standby horizon indicator in
accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-
34-0090, Revision 1, dated April 22, 1997.
(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 actions shall be done in accordance with Avions de
Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-34-0090, Revision 1, dated
April 22, 1997, which contains the following list of effective
pages:
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Revision level
Page No. shown on page Date shown on page
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1-4, 15, 29-37, 49-52, 55-62, 1.................. April 22, 1997.
69-72.
5-14, 16-28, 38-48, 52, 53, 63- Original........... December 6, 1997.
68, 73, 74.
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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 96-230-066(B), dated October 23, 1996.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 26, 1998.
[[Page 50134]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 11, 1998.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24903 Filed 9-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
