Rule2025-22346
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
December 9, 2025
Effective
January 13, 2026
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 ATR42-300, - 320, -500, ATR72-201, and -212A airplanes and all ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR72-102, -202, -211, and -212 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an inspection on the ATR final assembly line that found a fire extinguishing tube, located on the ceiling of the aft cargo compartment, disconnected from its sleeve. This AD requires a functional check of the aft cargo fire extinguishing system and applicable on-condition actions, if necessary. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires an additional functional check and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 234 (Tuesday, December 9, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 9, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56972-56974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-22346]
[[Page 56972]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-2262; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00083-T;
Amendment 39-23187; AD 2025-23-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; ATR--GIE Avions de Transport
R[eacute]gional Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-300, -
320, -500, ATR72-201, and -212A airplanes and all ATR--GIE Avions de
Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR72-102, -202, -211, and -212
airplanes. This AD was prompted by an inspection on the ATR final
assembly line that found a fire extinguishing tube, located on the
ceiling of the aft cargo compartment, disconnected from its sleeve.
This AD requires a functional check of the aft cargo fire extinguishing
system and applicable on-condition actions, if necessary. For certain
airplanes, this AD also requires an additional functional check and
applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 13, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 13,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2262; 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (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#b6f7f2c5f6d3d7c5d798d3c3c4d9c6d798d3c3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="27666354674246544609425255485746094252">[email protected]</span></a>.
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-2025-2262.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexis Whitaker, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: 516-228-7309; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#31081c7067621c7078631c7370727e1c727e62715750501f565e47"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="536a7e1205007e121a017e1112101c7e101c00133532327d343c25">[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 ATR42-300, -320, -500, ATR72-201,
and -212A airplanes and all ATR--GIE Avions de Transport
R[eacute]gional Model ATR72-102, -202, -211, and -212 airplanes. The
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 21, 2025 (90 FR
40778). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2025-0080, dated April 11, 2025;
corrected April 23, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0080) (also referred to as the
MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union. The MCAI superseded EASA AD 2025-0024,
dated January 22, 2025. The MCAI states that during an inspection on
the ATR final assembly line, a fire extinguishing tube, located on the
ceiling of the aft cargo compartment, was found disconnected from its
sleeve. Further investigations indicated that this condition might
affect other ATR airplanes. This condition, if not detected and
corrected, could affect the capability of the aft cargo compartment
fire extinguishing system to contain a cargo compartment fire.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a functional check of the
aft cargo fire extinguishing system and applicable on-condition
actions, if necessary, as specified in EASA AD 2025-0080. The FAA also
proposed to require, for certain airplanes, an additional functional
check and applicable on-condition actions, as specified in EASA AD
2025-0080. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-2262.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) and an individual who supported the NPRM without
change.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data, considered any comments 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 these products. 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
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0080, which specifies procedures for
accomplishing a functional check for discrepancies, such as incorrectly
installed distribution piping, of the aft cargo fire extinguishing
system, and depending on the results, corrective actions. Corrective
actions include correcting and re-installing the distribution piping
then repeating the functional check after re-installation, or obtaining
and following repair instructions from the manufacturer if a detected
discrepancy cannot be corrected. For airplanes on which a functional
check and corrective actions have been accomplished using certain
material, EASA AD 2025-0080 specifies performing an additional
functional check and, depending on the results, corrective actions.
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 103 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 56973]]
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85............................ $0 $85 $8,755
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions 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 these on-condition actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 2 work-hour x $85 per $0 Up to $170.
hour = $170.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for airplanes that require contacting ATR for repair
instructions in order to comply with on-condition actions specified in
this AD.
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:
2025-23-04 ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Amendment
39-23187; Docket No. FAA-2025-2262; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-
00083-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 13, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the ATR--GIE Avions de Transport
R[eacute]gional airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of
this AD, certificated in any category, as identified in European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0080, dated April 11,
2025; corrected April 23, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0080).
(1) ATR42-300, -320, and -500 airplanes.
(2) ATR72-102, -201, -202, -211, -212, and -212A airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire
Protection.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an inspection on the ATR final assembly
line that found a fire extinguishing tube, located on the ceiling of
the aft cargo compartment, disconnected from its sleeve. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address this condition, which if not detected and
corrected, could affect the capability of the aft cargo compartment
fire extinguishing system to contain a cargo compartment fire.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2025-0080.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0080
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0080 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2025-0080 refers to February 5, 2025 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2025-0024, dated January 22, 2025), this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(3) Where EASA AD 2025-0080 refers to ``any discrepancy'', this
AD requires replacing that text with ``any incorrectly installed
distribution piping''.
(4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0080.
(i) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the
airplane can be modified, provided no cargo is in the aft cargo
compartment.
(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
[[Page 56974]]
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#8fcec2c0cccfe9eeeea1e8e0f9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="94d5d9dbd7d4f2f5f5baf3fbe2">[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 Alexis Whitaker,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7309; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#685145293e3b4529213a452a292b27452b273b280e0909460f071e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="546d7915020779151d06791615171b79171b07143235357a333b22">[email protected]</span></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 2025-0080,
dated April 11, 2025; corrected April 23, 2025.
(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#6a2b2e192a0f0b190b440f1f18051a0b440f1f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c38287b083a6a2b0a2eda6b6b1acb3a2eda6b6">[email protected]</span></a>. 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#0264702c6b6c71726761766b6d6c426c6370632c656d74"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1a7c68347374696a7f796e7375745a747b687b347d756c">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on November 7, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-22346 Filed 12-8-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 9, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.