Rule2025-02492
Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 12, 2025
Effective
March 19, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a flight deck emergency escape hatch was difficult to open due to the hose ends being connected to the hatch with incorrect parts and/or installed collars with a too- small diameter that would not permit the drain hose to slide inside. This AD requires inspection of the flight deck emergency escape hatch drain hose for discrepancies and applicable corrective actions, and prohibits accomplishment of maintenance actions using the instructions of certain maintenance tasks, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 28 (Wednesday, February 12, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 12, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9379-9382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02492]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2418; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00239-T;
Amendment 39-22943; AD 2025-02-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; ATR--GIE Avions de Transport
R[eacute]gional Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 and
ATR72 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a flight deck
emergency
[[Page 9380]]
escape hatch was difficult to open due to the hose ends being connected
to the hatch with incorrect parts and/or installed collars with a too-
small diameter that would not permit the drain hose to slide inside.
This AD requires inspection of the flight deck emergency escape hatch
drain hose for discrepancies and applicable corrective actions, and
prohibits accomplishment of maintenance actions using the instructions
of certain maintenance tasks, as specified in a European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 19, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 19,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2418; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999
000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f8b9bc8bb89d998b99d69d8d8a978899d69d8d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="39787d4a795c584a58175c4c4b564958175c4c">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may find
this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2418.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: 206-231-3220; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#683b0009001a0905462c09060d1b000509060c01280e0909460f071e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6f5cec7ced4c7cb88e2c7c8c3d5cecbc7c8c2cfe6c0c7c788c1c9d0">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain ATR--GIE Avions
de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on November 1, 2024 (89 FR 87314).
The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0090, dated April 16, 2024, issued by
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union (EASA AD 2024-0090) (also referred to as the MCAI). The
MCAI states that following a report that a flight deck emergency escape
hatch was difficult to open, an ATR investigation revealed hatch drain
hose ends connected to the hatch with incorrect parts (zip-tie and ty-
rap) and installed collars with a too-small diameter that would not
permit the drain hose to slide inside. These installation
nonconformities could occur only during maintenance and could affect
the hatch drainage and possibly result in difficulties in removing the
hatch in case of an emergency evacuation. ATR has updated the
maintenance procedures to clarify the correct procedures.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspection of the flight
deck emergency escape hatch drain hose for discrepancies and applicable
corrective actions, and prohibit accomplishment of maintenance actions
using the instructions of certain maintenance tasks, as specified in
EASA AD 2024-0090. The FAA is issuing this AD to address these
installation nonconformities, which could prevent flightcrew evacuation
from the airplane in case of an emergency, possibly resulting in
personal injury.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-2418.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
Conclusion
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the
comment received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this
AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on this product. Except for minor editorial changes,
this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will
increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2024-0090 specifies procedures for inspecting for
discrepancies of the flight deck emergency escape hatch drain hose
(including checking for the presence of a fastening system on the drain
hoses at the level of the escape hatch drains and checking whether a
drain hose slides freely in the clamp (collar)). Discrepancies include
any zip-tie/ty-rap that is detected and any drain hose that does not
slide freely in the clamp. Corrective actions include removing the
fastening system and replacing the clamp. EASA AD 2024-0090 also
prohibits accomplishment of maintenance actions using the instructions
of Maintenance Procedure (MP) Tasks ATR-A-52-22-XX-00ZZZ-520Z-A and
ATR-A-52-22-XX-00ZZZ-720Z-A issued December 31, 2023, or earlier. This
material 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 80 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.25 work-hour x $85 per hour = $21.25...... $0 $21.25 $1,700
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[[Page 9381]]
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any replacement that
would be required based on the results of any required actions. The FAA
has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this
replacement:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.25 work-hour x $85 per hour = $21.25.... Minimal.................................... $21.25
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact
on affected operators.
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.
The FAA is 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
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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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:
2025-02-10 ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Amendment
39-22943; Docket No. FAA-2024-2418; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-
00239-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 19, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the ATR--GIE Avions de Transport
R[eacute]gional airplanes, certificated in any category, specified
in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD and identified in European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0090, dated April 16,
2024 (EASA AD 2024-0090).
(1) Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -500 airplanes.
(2) Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211, -212, and -212A
airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that a flight deck emergency
escape hatch was difficult to open due to the hose ends being
connected to the hatch with incorrect parts and/or installed collars
with a too-small diameter that would not permit the drain hose to
slide inside. The FAA is issuing this AD to address such
installation nonconformities, which could affect drainage of the
hatch. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could prevent
flightcrew evacuation in case of an emergency, possibly resulting in
personal injury.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2024-0090.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0090
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0090 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0090.
(3) Where EASA AD 2024-0090 states ``any discrepancy, as defined
in the AOM, is detected'' for this AD replace that text with ``any
fastening system (e.g., zip-tie/ty-rap) is detected or any drain
hose does not slide freely in the clamp (collar).''
(i) No Reporting
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0090 specifies
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not
include that requirement.
(j) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Validation 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the
International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aeefe3e1edeec8cfcf80c9c1d8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="afeee2e0ecefc9cece81c8c0d9">[email protected]</span></a>. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Validation 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.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue,
[[Page 9382]]
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3220; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="24574c454c5645490a40454a41574c49454a404d644245450a434b52">[email protected]</a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0090,
dated April 16, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f9b8bd8ab99c988a98d79c8c8b968998d79c8c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ce8f8abd8eabafbdafe0abbbbca1beafe0abbb">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2a4c58044344595a4f495e4345446a444b584b044d455c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2e485c0047405d5e4b4d5a4741406e404f5c4f00494158">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on January 23, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-02492 Filed 2-11-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 12, 2025.
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