[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 25, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20768-20770]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10178]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-08-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, and
-320 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-
200, -300, and -320 series airplanes. This proposal would require
modifying the wiring of the starting rotary switch. This action is
necessary to prevent the loss of electrical power supply of the DC
emergency and standby buses, which could result in the loss of some
electrical loads and the consequent display of erroneous information to
the flight crew. This action is intended to address the identified
unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 25, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-08-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-08-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne,
[[Page 20769]]
31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, France. This information may be examined at
the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,
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:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments
specified above will be considered before taking action on the proposed
rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in light of
the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket 2001-NM-08-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket 2001-NM-08-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056.
Discussion
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, and
-320 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that the flightcrew of a Model
ATR42-320 series airplane switched off the emergency battery following
a charge fault, and subsequently experienced a partial loss of direct
current (DC) power during descent when they selected the continuous
relight position on the starting rotary switch. This type of failure
could occur on an airplane if the continuous relight position of the
engine start selector is not wired to the ground. In this case, the DC
power of the emergency and standby buses is transferred from DC bus 1
(the main network) to the failed emergency battery, resulting in the
loss of some electrical loads. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in the display of erroneous information to the flightcrew.
Similar Models
The continuous relight position of the engine start selector is
similar on ATR42-200, -300, and -320 series airplanes; therefore, these
airplanes are all subject to the identified unsafe condition.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The manufacturer has issued Avions de Transport Regional Service
Bulletin ATR42-80-0001, Revision 2, dated November 15, 2000. The
service bulletin describes procedures for modifying the starting rotary
switch by installing wiring connecting the ground to the continuous
relight position. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified
unsafe condition. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as
mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 2000-454-081(B),
dated November 15, 2000, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in France.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 60 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be
provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $14,400, or $240 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD.
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time
necessitated by other administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if
[[Page 20770]]
promulgated, 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 copy of the draft regulatory
evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A
copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
Aerospatiale: Docket 2001-NM-08-AD.
Applicability: Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 series airplanes,
certificated in any category; except those modified in accordance
with Modification 3047 or Avions de Transport Regional Service
Bulletin ATR42-80-0001.
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 the loss of electrical power supply of the DC
emergency and standby buses, which could result in the loss of some
electrical loads and the consequent display of erroneous information
to the flight crew, accomplish the following:
Modification
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the wiring of the starting rotary switch, in accordance with Avions
de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-80-0001, Revision 2,
dated November 15, 2000.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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.
Special Flight Permits
(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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2000-454-081(B), dated November 15, 2000.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 18, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-10178 Filed 4-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P