70044 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2011 / Rules and Regulations 

329–4090; email: karl.schletzbaum@faa.gov. 

Before using any approved AMOC on any 

airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify 

your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in 

the FAA Flight Standards District Office 

(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. 

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement 

in this AD to obtain corrective actions from 

a manufacturer or other source, use these 

actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective 

actions are considered FAA-approved if they 

are approved by the State of Design Authority 

(or their delegated agent). You are required 

to assure the product is airworthy before it 

is returned to service. 

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any 

reporting requirement in this AD, a federal 

agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a 

person is not required to respond to, nor 

shall a person be subject to a penalty for 

failure to comply with a collection of 

information subject to the requirements of 

the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 

collection of information displays a current 

valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 

Control Number for this information 

collection is 2120–0056. Public reporting for 

this collection of information is estimated to 

be approximately 5 minutes per response, 

including the time for reviewing instructions, 

completing and reviewing the collection of 

information. All responses to this collection 

of information are mandatory. Comments 

concerning the accuracy of this burden and 

suggestions for reducing the burden should 

be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence 

Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 

Information Collection Clearance Officer, 

AES–200. 

(h) Related Information 

MCAI Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) AD 

DCA/FU24/180, dated July 28, 2011, for 

related information. You may review copies 

of the referenced service information at the 

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 

Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information 

on the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call (816) 329–4148. 

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference 

None. 

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on 

November 2, 2011. 

John Colomy, 

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–29045 Filed 11–9–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–0721; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–NM–217–AD; Amendment 

39–16861; AD 2011–23–10] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; ATR–GIE 

Avions de Transport Re ́gional 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Model ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes. 

This AD results from mandatory 

continuing airworthiness information 

(MCAI) originated by an aviation 

authority of another country to identify 

and correct an unsafe condition on an 

aviation product. The MCAI describes 

the unsafe condition as: 

One ATR operator has experienced inflight elevator travel limitations with unusual 

effort being necessary on pitch axis to control 

the aeroplane, while the ‘‘pitch mistrim’’ 

message appeared on the ADU [advisory 

display unit] display. The elevators seemed 

to be jammed. 

During the post-flight inspection, it was 

discovered that the LH [left-hand] elevator 

lower stop assembly was broken at the level 

of the angles, which may have prevented the 

elevator to respond normally to the flight 

control input. 

This condition, if not detected and 

corrected, could lead to reduced control of 

the aeroplane. 

* * * * * 

We are issuing this AD to require 

actions to correct the unsafe condition 

on these products. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

December 15, 2011. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of December 15, 2011. 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD 

docket on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov or in person at the 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 

Docket Operations, M–30, West 

Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom 

Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; telephone 

(425) 227–1137; fax (425) 227–1149. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. That 

NPRM was published in the Federal 

Register on August 5, 2011 (76 FR 

47520). That NPRM proposed to correct 

an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The MCAI states: 

One ATR operator has experienced inflight elevator travel limitations with unusual 

effort being necessary on pitch axis to control 

the aeroplane, while the ‘‘pitch mistrim’’ 

message appeared on the ADU display. The 

elevators seemed to be jammed. 

During the post-flight inspection, it was 

discovered that the LH elevator lower stop 

assembly was broken at the level of the 

angles, which may have prevented the 

elevator to respond normally to the flight 

control input. 

This condition, if not detected and 

corrected, could lead to reduced control of 

the aeroplane. 

For the reasons described above, and as a 

precautionary measure, this [EASA] AD 

requires a one-time [general visual and 

detailed] inspection [for damaged angles] of 

the elevator hinge fittings and the reporting 

of all findings. Depending on the results, 

further action may be considered. 

Corrective actions also include 

replacement of damaged angles with 

serviceable parts; and a detailed 

inspection of adjacent areas for damage, 

and repair if necessary. You may obtain 

further information by examining the 

MCAI in the AD docket. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

received no comments on the NPRM (76 

FR 47520), August 5, 2011) or on the 

determination of the cost to the public. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

as proposed. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

MCAI or Service Information 

We have reviewed the MCAI and 

related service information and, in 

general, agree with their substance. But 

we might have found it necessary to use 

different words from those in the MCAI 

to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. 

operators and is enforceable. In making 

these changes, we do not intend to differ 

substantively from the information 

provided in the MCAI and related 

service information. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2011 / Rules and Regulations 70045 

We might also have required different 

actions in this AD from those in the 

MCAI in order to follow our FAA 

policies. Any such differences are 

highlighted in a NOTE within the AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD will affect 

86 products of U.S. registry. We also 

estimate that it will take about 4 workhours per product to comply with the 

basic requirements of this AD. The 

average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 

Based on these figures, we estimate the 

cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to 

be $29,240, or $340 per product. 

In addition, we estimate that any 

necessary follow-on actions would take 

about 60 work-hours and require parts 

costing $960, for a cost of $6,060 per 

product. We have no way of 

determining the number of products 

that may need these actions. 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

Title 49 of the United States Code 

specifies the FAA’s authority to issue 

rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, 

section 106, describes the authority of 

the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII: 

Aviation Programs,’’ describes in more 

detail the scope of the Agency’s 

authority. 

We are issuing this rulemaking under 

the authority described in ‘‘Subtitle VII, 

Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: 

General requirements.’’ Under that 

section, Congress charges the FAA with 

promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in 

air commerce by prescribing regulations 

for practices, methods, and procedures 

the Administrator finds necessary for 

safety in air commerce. This regulation 

is within the scope of that authority 

because it addresses an unsafe condition 

that is likely to exist or develop on 

products identified in this rulemaking 

action. 

Regulatory Findings 

We determined that this AD will not 

have federalism implications under 

Executive Order 13132. This AD will 

not have a substantial direct effect 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. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify this AD: 

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. 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. 

We prepared a regulatory evaluation 

of the estimated costs to comply with 

this AD and placed it in the AD docket. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov; or in person at the 

Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. The AD docket 

contains the NPRM (76 FR 47520, 

August 5, 2011), the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

the Docket Operations office (telephone 

(800) 647–5527) is in the ADDRESSES

section. Comments will be available in 

the AD docket shortly after receipt. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new AD: 

2011–23–10 ATR–GIE Avions de Transport 

Re ́gional: Amendment 39–16861. Docket 

No. FAA–2011–0721; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–NM–217–AD. 

Effective Date 

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) 

becomes effective December 15, 2011. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to ATR–GIE Avions de 

Transport Re ́gional Model ATR42–200, –300, 

–320, and –500 airplanes, all manufacturer 

serial numbers (MSN) up to MSN 643 

inclusive; and Model ATR72–101, –102, 

–201, –202, –211, –212, and –212A airplanes, 

all MSNs up to MSN 728 inclusive; 

certificated in any category. 

Subject 

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 55: Stabilizers. 

Reason 

(e) The mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) states: 

One ATR operator has experienced inflight elevator travel limitations with unusual 

effort being necessary on pitch axis to control 

the aeroplane, while the ‘‘pitch mistrim’’ 

message appeared on the ADU [advisory 

display unit] display. The elevators seemed 

to be jammed. 

During the post-flight inspection, it was 

discovered that the LH [left-hand] elevator 

lower stop assembly was broken at the level 

of the angles, which may have prevented the 

elevator to respond normally to the flight 

control input. 

This condition, if not detected and 

corrected, could lead to reduced control of 

the aeroplane. 

* * * * * 

Compliance 

(f) You are responsible for having the 

actions required by this AD performed within 

the compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

Actions 

(g) Within 6 months after the effective date 

of this AD, perform a general visual 

inspection of the inboard hinge fitting area 

and a detailed inspection of lower stop 

angles of the inboard hinge fittings on both 

LH and right-hand (RH) elevators, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Avions de Transport Re ́gional 

Service Bulletin ATR42–55–0014, dated May 

11, 2010; or Avions de Transport Re ́gional 

Service Bulletin ATR72–55–1006, dated May 

11, 2010; as applicable. 

(1) If any damaged angle is found during 

the inspection required by paragraph (g) of 

this AD, before further flight, replace the 

damaged angles with serviceable parts and 

accomplish a detailed inspection of the 

adjacent areas to detect any damage, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Avions de Transport Re ́gional 

Service Bulletin ATR42–55–0014, dated May 

11, 2010; or Avions de Transport Re ́gional 

Service Bulletin ATR72–55–1006, dated May 

11, 2010; as applicable. 

(2) If any damage is detected in adjacent 

areas during the inspection required by 

paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before further 

flight, repair the damage using a method 

approved by either the Manager, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA; or European 

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its 

delegated agent). 

(h) Submit a report of the findings 

(damaged angles found on the LH and RH 

side elevator) of the inspection required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD to ATR Engineering, 

Service Bulletin Group, 1 Allee Pierre Nadot, 

31712 Blagnac Cedex, France, at the 

applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) 

or (h)(2) of this AD. The report must include 

the MSN, accomplishment date, registration 

number, number of flights, flight hours, 

inspection results, and performed actions. In 

addition, return any damaged lower stop 

angles to ATR Engineering, Service Bulletin 

Group, 1 Allee Pierre Nadot, 31712 Blagnac 

Cedex, France. 

(1) If the inspection was done on or after 

the effective date of this AD: Submit the 

report within 30 days after the inspection. 


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70046 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2011 / Rules and Regulations 

(2) If the inspection was done before the 

effective date of this AD: Submit the report 

within 30 days after the effective date of this 

AD. 

FAA AD Differences 

Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI 

and/or service information as follows: No 

differences. 

Other FAA AD Provisions 

(i) The following provisions also apply to 

this AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, has the authority to 

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: 

Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057– 

3356; telephone (425) 227–1137; fax (425) 

227–1149. Information may be emailed to: 

9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 

Before using any approved AMOC, notify 

your appropriate principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. The AMOC 

approval letter must specifically reference 

this AD. 

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement 

in this AD to obtain corrective actions from 

a manufacturer or other source, use these 

actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective 

actions are considered FAA-approved if they 

are approved by the State of Design Authority 

(or their delegated agent). You are required 

to assure the product is airworthy before it 

is returned to service. 

(3) Reporting Requirements: A federal 

agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a 

person is not required to respond to, nor 

shall a person be subject to a penalty for 

failure to comply with a collection of 

information subject to the requirements of 

the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 

collection of information displays a current 

valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 

Control Number for this information 

collection is 2120–0056. Public reporting for 

this collection of information is estimated to 

be approximately 5 minutes per response, 

including the time for reviewing instructions, 

completing and reviewing the collection of 

information. All responses to this collection 

of information are mandatory. Comments 

concerning the accuracy of this burden and 

suggestions for reducing the burden should 

be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence 

Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 

Information Collection Clearance Officer, 

AES–200. 

Related Information 

(j) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness 

Directive 2010–0138, dated July 1, 2010; 

Avions de Transport Re ́gional Service 

Bulletin ATR42–55–0014, dated May 11, 

2010; and Avions de Transport Re ́gional 

Service Bulletin ATR72–55–1006, dated May 

11, 2010; for related information. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(k) You must use Avions de Transport 

Re ́gional Service Bulletin ATR42–55–0014, 

dated May 11, 2010; or Avions de Transport 

Re ́gional Service Bulletin ATR72–55–1006, 

dated May 11, 2010; as applicable; to do the 

actions required by this AD, unless the AD 

specifies otherwise. 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

this service information under 5 U.S.C. 

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact ATR—GIE Avions de 

Transport Re ́gional, 1, Alle ́e Pierre Nadot, 

31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 

(0) 5 62 21 62 21; fax +33 (0) 5 62 21 67 18; 

email continued.airworthiness@atr.fr; 

Internet http://www.aerochain.com. 

(3) You may review copies of the service 

information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

Washington. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, call 

(425) 227–1221. 

(4) You may also review copies of the 

service information that is incorporated by 

reference at the National Archives and 

Records Administration (NARA). For 

information on the availability of this 

material at NARA, call (202) 741–6030, or go 

to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/ 

code_of_federal_regulations/ 

ibr_locations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 

27, 2011. 

Kalene C. Yanamura, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2011–28752 Filed 11–9–11; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2011–1158; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–SW–018–AD; Amendment 

39–16847; AD 2011–22–05] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter 

France Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, 

C, D, and D1; and AS355E, F, F1, F2, 

N, and NP Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes 

an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 

for the Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) 

Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, C, D, 

and D1 helicopters; and Model AS355E, 

F, F1, F2, and N helicopters with certain 

tail rotor pitch control rods installed. 

That AD requires a daily check of the 

tail rotor (T/R) pitch control rod (control 

rod) outboard spherical bearing 

(bearing) for play. If play exists, that AD 

requires measuring the bearing’s radial 

and axial play. Since that AD was 

issued, an incident occurred where the 

pilot of a Model AS350 helicopter felt 

vibrations in the anti-torque pedal in 

flight, resulting in a precautionary 

landing. An investigation determined 

that the control rod showed extensive 

wear on the ball-joint. This superseding 

AD maintains the requirements of the 

existing AD, and expands the 

applicability to include the Model 

AS355NP helicopter and additional 

part-numbered control rods. The actions 

specified by this AD are intended to 

prevent failure of a control rod, loss of 

T/R control, and subsequent loss of 

control of the helicopter. 

DATES: Effective November 25, 2011. 

Comments for inclusion in the Rules 

Docket must be received on or before 

January 9, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following 

addresses to submit comments on this 

AD: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

You may get the service information 

identified in this AD from American 

Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum 

Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052, 

telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232– 

0323, fax (972) 641–3775, or at http:// 

www.eurocopter.com/techpub. 

Examining the Docket: You may 

examine the docket that contains the 

AD, any comments, and other 

information on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov, or in person at the 

Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. The Docket 

Operations office (telephone (800) 647– 

5527) is located in Room W12–140 on 

the ground floor of the West Building at 

the street address stated in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 


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