Rule2026-10488
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
May 27, 2026
Effective
July 1, 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 ATR72 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31335-31338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10488]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 101 / Wednesday, May 27, 2026 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 31335]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-3425; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00190-T;
Amendment 39-23349; AD 2026-10-09]
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 ATR72
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires
revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable,
to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 1, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 1,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-3425 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#7233360132171301135c1707001d02135c1707"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7d3c390e3d181c0e1c5318080f120d1c531808">[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-2025-3425.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fatin Saumik, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: 516-228-7350; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#390014786f6a1478706b147b787a76147a766a795f5858175e564f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="350c1874636618747c67187774767a18767a66755354541b525a43">[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 ATR72 airplanes. The NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on October 1, 2025 (90 FR 47251). The
NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-0046, dated February 19, 2025 (EASA
AD 2025-0046) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The
MCAI states that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations have
been developed.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the existing
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or
more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in EASA AD
2025-0046. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the potential of
ignition sources inside fuel tanks. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of
the airplane.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-3425.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received additional comments from an anonymous commenter
and the Citizens Rulemaking Alliance. The anonymous comment is outside
the scope of this AD. The following presents the Citizens Rulemaking
Alliance's comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each
comment.
Request To Justify Forgoing Notice and Comment or Issue an NPRM
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA either
provide its justification for finding good cause to bypass notice and
comment procedures, convert this action to an NPRM, or reopen the
comment period and defer compliance enforcement. The commenter asserted
the FAA has not adequately justified use of the good cause exemption.
The FAA notes the comment was submitted in response to an NPRM for
which the FAA provided a 45-day comment period. This final rule is
effective 35 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
Therefore, no change to this AD is necessary.
Request To Make Incorporation by Reference (IBR) Materials Reasonably
Available
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance stated that the FAA's current
practices for IBR frequently fail to meet the legal and regulatory
standards for reasonable availability. The commenter requested that the
FAA make IBR material available and free to the public during the
comment period. The commenter asserted that this AD incorporates by
reference manufacturer service information and the EASA AD.
The FAA clarifies that this AD incorporates by reference EASA AD
2025-0046, not the manufacturer service information referenced in that
EASA AD. The FAA posted EASA AD 2025-0046 to the AD docket when the
NPRM was published in the Federal Register. The material referenced in
EASA AD 2025-0046 may only be posted before the final rule's
publication if it is already publicly available or if
[[Page 31336]]
there is written consent from the owner of that material. Additionally,
the FAA provided notice in the NPRM that the material referenced in
EASA AD 2025-0046 will be available in the AD docket after this AD is
published. The FAA did not change this AD as a result of this comment.
Request To Comply With the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA revise the
AD to comply with the PRA if reporting is required or remove any
reporting provisions until PRA requirements are satisfied. If reporting
is not required, the commenter requested the FAA clarify that in the
AD.
The FAA notes this AD does not require reporting. If an AD were to
require reporting, the preamble of the AD would include a paragraph
titled ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' that would provide the applicable
OMB control number, required PRA statements, and the estimated time to
collect the required information (burden). Any costs associated with
the reporting requirement would be included in the Costs of Compliance
section in the preamble of the AD. Therefore, the FAA did not change
this AD as a result of this comment.
Request To Consider Impact on Small Entities
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA either
provide the factual basis for its Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
certification that the AD will not have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities, or prepare an initial
regulatory flexibility analysis.
The FAA provides the following clarification. The RFA of 1980 (5
U.S.C. 601-612), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121) and the Small
Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-240), requires Federal agencies
to consider the effects of the regulatory action on small business and
other small entities and to minimize any significant economic impact.
The term ``small entities'' comprises small businesses and not-for-
profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are
not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with
populations of less than 50,000.
This AD will affect 6 domestic entities, of which 5 are small
entities. The table below displays the industries of the small
entities, their average annual revenue, and the AD's estimated cost
burden relative to average annual revenue.
Number of Small Entities Affected by Industry and Cost Significance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Affected Cost per AD/
NAICS code Description small Average annual annual
entities revenue revenue (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
481212.......................... Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air 1 $17,050,000 0.045
Transportation.
481219.......................... Other Nonscheduled Air 1 24,820,000 0.031
Transportation.
492110.......................... Couriers and Express Delivery 1 291,850,000 0.003
Services.
532411.......................... Commercial Air, Rail, and Water 2 1,905,000 0.435
Transportation Equipment Rental and
Leasing.
-----------------------------------------
Total....................... .................................... 5 67,506,000 0.189
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While the FAA has determined that this final AD affects a
substantial number of small entities, the compliance cost of the AD
relative to each small entity's annual revenue is minimal. The FAA
estimates the total cost per affected entity to be $7,650 (90 work-
hours x $85 per work-hour), which is 0.189% of the average small
entity's annual revenue. Therefore, as provided in section 605(b), the
FAA certifies this AD will not result in a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities. The FAA did not change this
AD as a result of this comment.
Request To Provide Additional Cost Information
The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA add to the
AD docket the methodology and assumptions supporting the estimated cost
of the proposed AD and reopen the comment period for public input on
the additional cost information. The commenter stated that the FAA
should also provide the per airplane labor and parts cost, any assumed
downtime or out-of-service impacts, and aggregate costs.
In the Costs of Compliance section of the proposed AD, the FAA
disclosed the number of airplanes affected on the U.S. registry,
estimated number of work hours provided by the manufacturer, and the
aggregate costs. The FAA did not disclose an estimated parts cost since
this AD does not require any parts. Additionally, the FAA considered
the impact that this AD will have on affected operators and determined
this AD will not trigger any downtime costs because revising the
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, is an
administrative action that can be performed without impacting
operations. Since the FAA has assessed and disclosed the total known
costs of the AD requirements in the Costs of Compliance section of the
proposed AD, and the commenter did not provide additional cost data for
the FAA to consider in its cost analysis, it is not necessary to reopen
the comment period or provide additional information in the AD docket.
The FAA did not change this AD as a result of this comment.
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
EASA AD 2025-0046 specifies new or more restrictive airworthiness
limitations for airplane structures and safe life limits. This material
is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to
it through their normal course of business
[[Page 31337]]
or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 32 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator,
although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator
to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection
program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined
that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane
estimate. Therefore, the FAA estimates the average total cost per
operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per 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.
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:
2026-10-09 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Amendment
39-23349; Docket No. FAA-2025-3425; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-
00190-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 1, 2026,
(b) Affected ADs
This AD affects AD 2024-24-06, Amendment 39-22896 (89 FR 97502,
December 9, 2024) (AD 2024-24-06).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional
Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211, -212, and -212A airplanes,
certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness
certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued
on or before November 22, 2024.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the potential of ignition sources inside
fuel tanks. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
(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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2025-0046, dated February 19, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0046).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0046
(1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in
paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2025-0046.
(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0046 specifies revising ``the
approved AMP,'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this
AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program,
as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
(3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0046 is at the applicable
``limitations'' as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3)
of EASA AD 2025-0046, or within 90 days after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs later.
(4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in paragraph
(4) of EASA AD 2025-0046.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0046.
(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions, Intervals, and Critical Design
Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs)
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, and CDCCLs are allowed
unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the
``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2025-0046.
(j) Terminating Action for Certain Tasks Required by AD 2024-24-06
Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates the
corresponding requirements of AD 2024-24-06 for the tasks identified
in the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0046 only.
(k) 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 (l) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#98d9d5d7dbd8fef9f9b6fff7ee"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2465696b67644245450a434b52">[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.
[[Page 31338]]
(l) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Fatin Saumik,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7350; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f5ccd8b4a3a6d8b4bca7d8b7b4b6bad8b6baa6b5939494db929a83"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e6dfcba7b0b5cba7afb4cba4a7a5a9cba5a9b5a6808787c8818990">[email protected]</span></a>.
(m) 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 2025-0046,
dated February 19, 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#4d0c093e0d282c3e2c6328383f223d2c632838"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="69282d1a290c081a08470c1c1b061908470c1c">[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#0f697d2166617c7f6a6c7b6660614f616e7d6e21686079"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="93f5e1bdfafde0e3f6f0e7fafcfdd3fdf2e1f2bdf4fce5">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on May 12, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-10488 Filed 5-26-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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