[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 3, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 223-229]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-28147]
[[Page 223]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-1177; Product Identifier 2015-NM-195-AD; Amendment
39-19139; AD 2017-26-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport
R[eacute]gional Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 and ATR72-
212A airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual
(AFM) to provide procedures to the flight crew for operational
restrictions affecting in-flight use of the autopilot (AP) or yaw
damper (YD) during dual-engine operation. This AD also provides an
optional software modification, which would terminate the AFM
requirement. This AD was prompted by flight test evaluations that
revealed that after engine failure during AP or YD re-engagement, the
YD unit commanded the rudder to return to neutral position, leading to
inadequate balancing of the asymmetric power. We are issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective January 18, 2018.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of January 18,
2018.
We must receive comments on this AD by February 20, 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: 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 final rule, 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 referenced service information at the FAA, Transport
Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is
also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-1177.
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-2017-
1177; 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 this 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: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace
Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 1601
Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1112; fax 425-
227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD
2015-00237R1, dated December 16, 2015 (referred to after this as the
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI'') to
correct an unsafe condition for certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport
R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 and ATR72-212A airplanes. The MCAI
states:
During flight evaluations performed on Flight Synthetic Test
Devices of ATR airplanes equipped with New Avionics Suite (also
known as `Glass Cockpit'), with one Air Data Computer (ADC) or one
Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) inoperative, it was
found that, after engine failure during autopilot (AP) or Yaw Damper
(YD) re-engagement, the YD unit commanded the rudder to return to
neutral position leading to inadequate balancing of the asymmetric
power.
Subsequent flight tests confirmed the YD unit behavior observed
during flight simulator evaluation and identified that a software
issue is the root cause of this system reaction.
Additionally, it was identified that the failure of one of the
Direct Current (DC) Generators with a concurrent shutdown of the
opposite engine leads to loss of the AHRS#2 and ADC#2 and resulting
in YD command the rudder into neutral position.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of
control of the airplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition EASA issued AD 2015-
0230 to introduce operational restrictions affecting in-flight use
of AP and/or YD with an inoperative AHRS, or ADC and the relevant
dispatch limitations.
Since that [EASA] AD was issued, it was determined that
airplanes modified in service by incorporating New Avionics Suite
Standard 2 are not affected and that the operation of an airplane
with combination of inoperative ADC, AHRS and DC Generator items is
allowed. Additional investigation has resulted in prohibiting the
use of AP or YD also in case of both engine operative, when an ADC
or an AHRS becomes inoperative.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD retains the
requirements of EASA AD 2015-0230, which is superseded, and
introduces AP or YD operational restrictions applicable for dual
engine operation.
This [EASA] AD is considered an interim action and further
[EASA] AD action may follow.
This [EASA] AD is revised to specify the Reason leading to AD
issuance.
Required actions also include AP or YD operational restrictions
applicable for dual engine operation. You may examine the MCAI on the
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2017-1177.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional has issued ATR Service Bulletin
ATR42-31-0091, Revision 1, dated May 05, 2015; and ATR Service Bulletin
ATR72-31-1092, Revision 2, dated March 31, 2015. The service
information describes procedures for, among other things, modifying the
software for the integrated avionics display (IAD), the core processing
module (CPM), the switch module (SWM), and the flight warning main
configuration file (FWMCF). These documents are distinct since they
apply to different airplane models.
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 AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
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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 issuing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of these
same type designs.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
There are currently no domestic operators of this product.
Therefore, we find good cause that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment are unnecessary. In addition, for the reason(s) stated
above, we find that good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-1177; Product
Identifier 2015-NM-195-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this 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 AD.
Costs of Compliance
Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes. If an
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the
future, we provide the following cost estimates to comply with this AD:
We estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour 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 will be $85 per product.
In addition, we estimate that the optional modification will take
about 3 work-hours for a cost of $255 per product.
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.
This 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 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 that 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);
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.
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
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):
2017-26-08 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Amendment
39-19139; Docket No. FAA-2017-1177; Product Identifier 2015-NM-195-
AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD becomes effective January 18, 2018.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional
Model ATR42-500 airplanes, and Model ATR72-212A airplanes;
certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers on
which ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Modification 5948
(New Avionics Suite installation) has been embodied in production,
except those airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of
this AD.
(1) Airplanes on which ATR-GIE Avions de Transport
R[eacute]gional Mod 6977 (New Avionics Suite Standard 2) has been
embodied in production.
(2) Airplanes on which ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-31-0091, or
ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-31-1092, has been incorporated.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 31, Instruments.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by flight evaluations that revealed that
after engine failure during autopilot (AP) or yaw damper (YD) re-
engagement, the YD unit commanded the rudder to return to neutral
position, leading to inadequate balancing of the asymmetric power.
We are issuing this AD to provide procedures to the flightcrew for
operational restrictions affecting in-flight use of the autopilot
(AP) or yaw damper (YD) during dual-engine operation.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Revise the Airplane Flight Manual
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the
Limitations Section of the
[[Page 225]]
applicable ATR-42 and ATR-72 airplane flight manuals (AFMs) to
include figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD. Amending the AFM of an
airplane by inserting a copy of this AD into the applicable AFM of
that airplane is acceptable to comply with the requirements of this
paragraph for that airplane.
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(h) Minimum Equipment List (MEL)
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, amend
the operator's ATR MEL, as applicable, by incorporating the dispatch
restrictions listed in figure 2 to paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, and
thereafter operate the airplane accordingly.
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(2) Amending the operator's ATR MEL, as applicable, of an
airplane by inserting a copy of this AD, or incorporating a later
MMEL revision which includes the same dispatch restrictions as
specified in figure 2 to paragraph (h)(1) of this AD is acceptable
for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (h)(1) of this AD
for that airplane.
(3) As of the effective date of this AD: If any of the systems
identified in paragraph (h)(3)(i), (h)(3)(ii), and (h)(3)(iii) of
this AD are inoperative, an airplane may be operated as specified in
the MMEL, provided that the MEL of that airplane has been amended to
be consistent with the MEL restrictions specified in figure 2 of
this AD.
(i) One of two ADCs.
(ii) One of two AHRSs.
(iii) One of two DC generators.
(i) Optional Software Modification
Installation of new avionics suite standard 2 software on an
airplane, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of ATR
Service Bulletin ATR42-31-0091, Revision 1, dated May 05, 2015, or
ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-31-1092, Revision 2, dated March 31,
2015, as applicable, terminates the AFM and MEL revisions required
by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, for that airplane.
(j) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph
(i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective
date of this AD using ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-31-0091, dated
December 17, 2014; or ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-31-1092, dated
October 7, 2014, or Revision 1, dated December 9, 2014, as
applicable.
(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 International Section, 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 EASA; or ATR-GIE Avions
de Transport R[eacute]gional's 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
[[Page 229]]
2015-00237R1, dated December 16, 2015, for related information. You
may examine the MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-1177.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Shahram
Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport
Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA 98057-3356;
telephone 425-227-1112; fax 425-227-1149.
(3) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (m)(3) and (m)(4) of this AD.
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-31-0091, Revision 1, dated May
05, 2015.
(ii) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-31-1092, Revision 2, dated March
31, 2015.
(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.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport
Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
(5) You may view this 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 20, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-28147 Filed 1-2-18; 8:45 am]
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