Document ID: FAA-2015-0077-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: ATR - GIE Avions de Transport Regional Airplanes
Posted Date: 2015-01-23T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 15 (Friday, January 23, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3531-3533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00956]

[[Page 3531]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0077; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-254-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport 
R[eacute]gional Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 and 
Model ATR72-212A airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report 
indicating interference between a Type III Emergency Exit door and the 
surrounding passenger cabin furnishing during a production check. This 
proposed AD would require measuring the gap between the Type III 
Emergency Exit doors and certain overhead stowage compartment fittings; 
removing certain fittings from the overhead stowage compartments and 
measuring the gap between the Type III Emergency Exit doors and the 
overhead stowage compartment hooks, if necessary; and re-installing or 
repairing, as applicable, the Type III Emergency Exit doors. We are 
proposing this AD to detect and correct interference between a Type III 
Emergency Exit door and the overhead stowage compartment fitting 
installed on the rail; which could result in obstructed opening of a 
Type III Emergency Exit door during an emergency evacuation.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 9, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     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, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Transport R[eacute]gional, 1, All[eacute]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. You may view this referenced service information at 
the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0077; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; 
fax: 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-0077; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-254-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0280, dated November 26, 2013 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for ATR-GIE Avions de 
Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 and Model ATR72-212A 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Interference between a Type III Emergency Exit door opening and 
the surrounding passenger cabin furnishing was detected during a 
production check.
    Subsequent investigation identified an insufficient gap between 
the Emergency Exit door internal skin structure and the overhead 
stowage compartment fitting, installed on the rail, as a cause of 
the interference.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could prevent an 
unobstructed opening of both Type III Emergency Exit doors in case 
of emergency evacuation.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time check [measurement] of the gap between the Type III Emergency 
Exit door internal skin and a relevant [overhead stowage 
compartment] fitting and, depending on findings, the accomplishment 
of applicable corrective action(s). This [EASA] AD is considered to 
be a temporary measure and further actions may follow.

    Required actions include an additional measurement of the gap 
between the internal skin and overhead stowage compartment hooks of 
both Type III Emergency Exits, if necessary. Corrective actions include 
re-installing the Type III Emergency Exit doors or contacting the 
manufacturer for repair instructions and doing the repair, as 
applicable. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet 
at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2015-0077.

Related Service Information

    ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional has issued the 
following service information, which, among other things, describes 
procedures for removing certain fittings from the overhead stowage 
compartments, measuring the gap between the Type III Emergency Exit 
doors and the overhead stowage compartment hooks, re-installing the 
Type III Emergency Exit doors, and contacting the manufacturer for 
repair information.
     ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-25-0180, dated August 19, 2013.
     ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-25-1141, dated August 19, 2013.
    The actions described in this service information are intended to 
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

[[Page 3532]]

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of these 
same type designs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1 airplane of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be or $85 per 
product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $0, for a cost of $85 
per product. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might 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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed 
regulation:
    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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Docket No. FAA-2015-
0077; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-254-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 9, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 
airplanes, certificated in any category, all manufacturer serial 
numbers (MSNs) on which ATR Modification 6518 has been embodied in 
production, except MSN 1002 and 1005, and except those airplanes on 
which ATR Modification 7152 has been embodied in production.
    (2) ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR72-
212A airplanes, certificated in any category, on which ATR 
Modification 6517 has been embodied in production, except MSNs 1089, 
1094, 1095, 1097, 1098, 1099, 1100, 1101, and 1102; and except those 
airplanes on which ATR Modification 7152 has been embodied in 
production.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating interference between 
a Type III Emergency Exit door and the surrounding passenger cabin 
furnishing during a production check. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct interference between a Type III Emergency Exit 
door and the overhead stowage compartment fitting installed on the 
rail, which could result in obstructed opening of a Type III 
Emergency Exit door during an emergency evacuation.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Measurement of Gap Between Type III Emergency Exit Doors and 
Certain Overhead Stowage Compartment Fittings

    Within 2 months after the effective date of this AD: Measure the 
gap between each Type III Emergency Exit door, left hand (LH) and 
right hand (RH), and the overhead stowage compartment fitting 
installed on the rail, by unlocking and slightly rotating the LH and 
RH Type III Emergency Exit doors with the doors remaining on the 
lower fittings. Use a shim gauge 6 millimeters (mm) (0.236 inch) 
thick, to measure the gap between the internal skin of the doors and 
the relevant fittings, part number (P/N) S2522924620000 (LH fitting) 
and P/N S2522924620100 (RH fitting).

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD:  Illustrations may be found 
in the applicable ATR Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) 25-23-02, 
figure 87, item 90/100.

    Note 2 to paragraph (g) of this AD:  It might be necessary to 
pull on the door blanket to correctly see the door internal skin.

(h) Re-Installation of Type III Emergency Exit Doors

    During the measurement required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if 
it is determined that there is a gap equal to or greater than 6 mm 
(0.236 inch), before further flight, re-install the LH and RH Type 
III Emergency Exit Doors, in accordance with paragraph 3.C.(1)(d) of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-25-
0180, dated August 19, 2013; or ATR72-25-1141, dated August 19, 
2013; as applicable.

(i) Removal of Fitting and Measurement of Gap Between Door Internal 
Skin and Overhead Stowage Compartment Hooks

    During the measurement required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if 
it is determined that there is a gap less than 6 mm (0.236 inch): 
Before further flight, remove the fitting P/N S2522924620000 (LH 
fitting) or P/N S2522924620100 (RH fitting), and measure the gap 
between the internal skin of the LH and RH Type III Emergency Exit 
Doors and the overhead stowage compartment hooks, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-25-
0180, dated August 19, 2013; or ATR72-

[[Page 3533]]

25-1141, dated August 19, 2013; as applicable.
    (1) If, during the measurement required by paragraph (i) of this 
AD, it is determined that there is a gap equal to or greater than 6 
mm (0.236 inch): Before further flight, re-install the LH and RH 
Type III Emergency Exit Doors, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-25-0180, dated August 19, 
2013; or ATR72-25-1141, dated August 19, 2013; as applicable.
    (2) If, during the measurement required by paragraph (i) of this 
AD, it is determined that there is a gap less than 6 mm (0.236 
inch): Before further flight, repair using a method approved by the 
Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or 
ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA).

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
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, 
WA 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or 
ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional's EASA DOA. If approved 
by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0280, dated November 26, 
2013, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0077.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact ATR--
GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional, 1, All[eacute]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. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 15, 2015.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-00956 Filed 1-22-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P