| Page Range | 12508-12511 | |
| FR Document | 2018-05099 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 56 (Thursday, March 22, 2018)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 12508-12511] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-05099] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2018-0166; Product Identifier 2017-NM-169-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). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR72 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or revised maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 7, 2018. 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For service information identified in this NPRM, 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 aircraft.com">continued.airworthiness@atr-aircraft.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. 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-2018- 0166; 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 NPRM, 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: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231- 3220. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0166; Product Identifier 2017-NM-169-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM based on those comments. [[Page 12509]] 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 NPRM. Discussion The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2017-0223R1, dated December 15, 2017 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR72 airplanes. The MCAI states: The airworthiness limitations and certification maintenance requirements (CMR) for ATR aeroplanes, which are approved by EASA, are currently defined and published in the ATR72-101/-201/-102/-202/ -211/-212/-212A Time Limits (TL) document. These instructions have been identified as mandatory actions for continued airworthiness. Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an unsafe condition. Consequently, ATR published Revision 15 of the ATR72-101/-201/- 102/-202/-211/-212/-212A TL document, which contains new and/or more restrictive CMRs and airworthiness limitation tasks. For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires accomplishment of the actions specified in the ATR72-101/-201/-102/- 202/-211/-212/-212A TL document Revision 15, hereafter referred to as `the TLD' in this [EASA] AD. This [EASA] AD, in conjunction with two other [EASA] ADs related to ATR42-200/-300/-320 (EASA AD 2017-0221) and ATR42-400/-500 (EASA AD 2017-0222) aeroplanes, retains the requirements of EASA AD 2009- 0241 and EASA AD 2012-0193. Once all these three ADs are effective, EASA will cancel EASA AD 2009-0242 and EASA AD 2012-0193. This [EASA] AD is revised to provide the correct issue date (02 May 2017) of the TLD. The original [EASA] AD inadvertently referenced the EASA approval date for that document. This NPRM would require revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate certain maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations. The unsafe condition is fatigue cracking, damage, and corrosion in principal structural elements, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. 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-2018-0166. Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional has issued the ATR72 Time Limits document, Revision 15, dated May 2, 2017. The service information describes preventive maintenance requirements and includes updated limitations, tasks, thresholds and intervals to be incorporated into the maintenance or inspection program. This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section. 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 the same type design. This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (k)(1) of this proposed AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required actions that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. Similar to the MCAI, this proposed AD would not supersede AD 2000- 23-26, Amendment 39-11999 (65 FR 70775, November 28, 2000) (``AD 2000- 23-26''), or AD 2008-04-19 R1, Amendment 39-16069 (74 FR 56713, November 3, 2009) (``AD 2008-04-19 R1''). Rather, we have determined that a stand-alone AD would be more appropriate to address the changes in the MCAI. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate maintenance requirements and/or airworthiness limitations that are new or more restrictive than those required by AD 2000-23-26 and AD 2008-04-19 R1. Accomplishment of the proposed actions would then terminate all the requirements of AD 2000-23-26 and AD 2008-04-19 R1. Costs of Compliance We estimate that this proposed AD affects 26 airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: Estimated Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cost per Cost on U.S. Action Labor cost \1\ Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maintenance or inspection program 90 work-hours x $85 None................... $7,650 $198,900 revision. per hour = $7,650. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ In the past, we have used 1 work-hour for revisions of the maintenance or inspection program. We have determined that incorporating the entire airworthiness limitation document specified in this proposed AD would take significantly longer than 1 work-hour. 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. [[Page 12510]] This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight Division. 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-2018- 0166; Product Identifier 2017-NM-169-AD. (a) Comments Due Date We must receive comments by May 7, 2018. (b) Affected ADs This AD affects AD 2000-23-26, Amendment 39-11999 (65 FR 70775) (``AD 2000-23-26''), and AD 2008-04-19 R1, Amendment 39-16069 (74 FR 56713) (``AD 2008-04-19 R1''). (c) Applicability This AD applies to ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR72-101, -201, -102, -202, -211, -212, and -212A airplanes, certificated in any category; with an original certificate of airworthiness or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before September 29, 2017. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05. (e) Reason This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive maintenance instructions and airworthiness limitations are necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking, damage, and corrosion in principal structural elements, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD: Revise the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the limitations and tasks at the applicable thresholds and intervals specified in the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), of the ATR72 Time Limits document, Revision 15, dated May 2, 2017. The initial compliance time for accomplishing the tasks specified in the ALS of the ATR72 Time Limits document, Revision 15, dated May 2, 2017, is at the applicable time specified in the ALS, or within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, except for the tasks identified in paragraph (h) of this AD. (h) Initial Compliance Times for Certain Tasks For accomplishing certification maintenance requirement (CMR) tasks identified in table 1 and table 2 to paragraph (h) of this AD, the initial compliance time is at the applicable time specified in the ALS of the ATR72 Time Limits document, Revision 15, dated May 2, 2017, or at the applicable compliance time in table 1 or table 2 to paragraph (h) of this AD, whichever occurs later. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP22MR18.000 [[Page 12511]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP22MR18.001 (i) No Alternative Actions, and Intervals After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), or intervals, may be used unless the actions and/or intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD. (j) Terminating Action Accomplishing paragraph (g) of this AD terminates all requirements of AD 2000-23-26 and AD 2008-04-19 R1. (k) Other FAA AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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 manager of the International Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 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. (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 Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (l) Related Information (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD 2017-0223R1, dated December 15, 2017, 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-2018-0166. (2) For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3220. (3) 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 aircraft.com">continued.airworthiness@atr-aircraft.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on March 7, 2018. Michael Kaszycki, Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2018-05099 Filed 3-21-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). | |
| Dates | We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 7, 2018. | |
| Contact | Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231- 3220. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 12508 | |
| RIN Number | 2120-AA64 | |
| CFR Associated | Air Transportation; Aircraft; Aviation Safety; Incorporation by Reference and Safety |