[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 240 (Monday, December 15, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65604-65606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32432]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-161-AD; Amendment 39-10243; AD 97-25-18]
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 removal of certain landing gear attachment pins, and 
replacement of the pins with serviceable pins. 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 wear of the attachment pins, which 
could result in collapse of the main landing gear.

DATES: Effective January 20, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 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: 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 August 25, 
1997 (62 FR 44915). That action proposed to require removal of certain 
landing gear attachment pins, and replacement of the pins with 
serviceable pins.

Comments

    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.

Conclusion

    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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 88 Model ATR42 series airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 
45 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 operators. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$237,600, or $2,700 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.

[[Page 65605]]

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:

97-25-18  Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-10243. Docket 97-NM-161-AD.

    Applicability: Model ATR42 series airplanes as identified in 
Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR42-32-0081, dated July 16, 
1996, and Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR42-32-0082, dated 
July 16, 1996; 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 (d) 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 wear of the landing gear attachment pins, which could 
result in collapse of the main landing gear (MLG), accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, remove 
the MLG leg hinge pins and side brace assembly center pins having 
the part numbers (P/N) specified in paragraph C.(2) of Aerospatiale 
Service Bulletin No. ATR42-32-0081, dated July 16, 1996; and replace 
the pins with serviceable pins, in accordance with the Aerospatiale 
service bulletin and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-127, 
Revision 1, dated October 22, 1996.
    (b) Prior to the accumulation of 15,000 landings since the last 
overhaul of the MLG, or within 8 years time-in-service since the 
last overhaul of the MLG, whichever occurs first, remove the MLG 
swinging lever/barrel pins and shock absorber universal joint hinge 
pins having the P/N's specified in paragraph C.(2) of Aerospatiale 
Service Bulletin No. ATR42-32-0082, dated July 16, 1996; and replace 
the pins with serviceable pins, in accordance with the Aerospatiale 
service bulletin and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-128, 
Revision 1, dated November 15, 1996.

    Note 2: Serviceable pins include those that have been removed, 
inspected and marked with green paint in accordance with Messier-
Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-127, Revision 1, dated October 22, 
1996; or Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-128, Revision 1, 
dated November 15, 1996; as applicable.

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
any MLG pin having a part number identified in Aerospatiale Service 
Bulletin No. ATR42-32-0081, dated July 16, 1996, or Aerospatiale 
Service Bulletin No. ATR42-32-0082, dated July 16, 1996, on any 
airplane unless that pin is considered to be serviceable in 
accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
    (d) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (e) 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.
    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with the following 
Aerospatiale and Messier Dowty service bulletins, which contain the 
following spcified list of effective pages:

                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Service bulletin revision and                                  Revision level shown on                         
              date                         Page No.                      page               Date shown on page  
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Aerospatiale ATR42-32-0081,      1-7........................  Original..................  July 16, 1996.        
 July 16, 1996.                                                                                                 
Aerospatiale, ATR42-32-0082,     1-6........................  Original..................  July 16, 1996.        
 July 16, 1996.                                                                                                 
Messier Dowty, 631-32-127,       1-15, 19-31................  1.........................  Oct. 22, 1996.        
 Revision 1, October 22, 1996.   16-18......................  Original..................  July 18, 1996.        
Messier Dowty, 631-32-128,       1-11, 13-22................  1.........................  Nov. 15, 1996         
 Revision 1, November 15, 1996.  12.........................  Original..................  July 18, 1996.        
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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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed issued French 
airworthiness directive 96-131-064(B), dated July 3, 1996.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on January 20, 1998.


[[Page 65606]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 5, 1997.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-32432 Filed 12-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U