Rule2026-18053
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
September 3, 2026
Effective
September 18, 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 ATR42-500 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that a new airworthiness limitation is necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a new airworthiness limitation. 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 170 (Thursday, September 3, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 170 (Thursday, September 3, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56584-56587]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18053]
[[Page 56584]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-8792; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01180-T;
Amendment 39-23456; AD 2026-18-01]
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: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that a new
airworthiness limitation is necessary. This AD requires revising the
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to
incorporate a new airworthiness limitation. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 18, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
18, 2026.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by October 19, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-8792; 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
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
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#cd8c89be8da8acbeace3a8b8bfa2bdace3a8b8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bffefbccffdadeccde91dacacdd0cfde91daca">[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-2026-8792.
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#8bb2a6caddd8a6cac2d9a6c9cac8c4a6c8c4d8cbedeaeaa5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3c05117d6a6f117d756e117e7d7f73117f736f7c5a5d5d125b534a">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-8792; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-01180-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule,
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this final rule.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this final rule, it is important that you clearly designate the
submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission
containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked
submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed
in the public docket of this final rule. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to 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#172e3a5641443a565e453a555654583a5458445771767639707861"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99a0b4d8cfcab4d8d0cbb4dbd8dad6b4dad6cad9fff8f8b7fef6ef">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA receives
which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the
public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2025-0135, dated June 26, 2025 (EASA
AD 2025-0135) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe
condition on certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model
ATR42-400 and -500 airplanes. Model ATR42-400 airplanes are not
certificated by the FAA and are not included on the U.S. type
certificate data sheet; this AD therefore does not include those
airplanes in the applicability. The MCAI states a new airworthiness
limitation has been developed. This new airworthiness limitation is
contained in Temporary Revision 18.9 of ATR42-400/-500 Time Limits
Document (TLD), dated April 9, 2025 (TR 18.9).
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the inability to close the
ventilation electrical shut-off valves in case of annunciated smoke in
a Class E cargo compartment, which could allow suppressed fire to
reignite and further propagate. This condition, if not addressed, could
result in an uncontrolled fire in the cargo compartment.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-8792.
Other Relevant Rulemaking
EASA AD 2025-0135 refers to EASA AD 2024-0052, dated February 23,
2024 (EASA AD 2024-0052); EASA AD 2025-0005, dated January 7, 2025
(EASA AD 2025-0005); and AD 2025-0045, dated February 19, 2025 (EASA AD
2025-0045); which were previously issued to require the airworthiness
limitations in ATR42-400/-500 TLD, Revision 18, dated October 16, 2023;
TR 18.1 of ATR42-400/-500 TLD, dated July 30, 2024; and TR 18.3 of
ATR42-400/-500 TLD, dated November 22, 2024; respectively. The FAA
issued AD 2024-19-02, Amendment 39-22844 (89 FR 82491, October 11,
2024) (AD 2024-19-02); AD 2025-25-10, Amendment 39-23218 (91 FR 202,
January 5, 2026) (AD
[[Page 56585]]
2025-25-10); and AD 2026-10-08, Amendment 39-23348 (91 FR 31353, May
27, 2026) (AD 2026-10-08); to adopt the requirements of EASA AD 2024-
0052, EASA AD 2025-0005, EASA AD 2025-0045, respectively. The FAA
reviewed all the relevant service information and determined that
revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable,
to incorporate the new airworthiness limitations in EASA AD 2025-0135
as referenced in TR 18.9 would not affect compliance with FAA AD 2024-
19-02, AD 2025-25-10, and AD 2026-10-08.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2025-0135 specifies a new airworthiness limitation for
performing repetitive operational tests of the air conditioning (i.e.,
ventilation electrical) shut-off valves.
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.
FAA's Determination
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 is issuing this AD
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection
program, as applicable, to incorporate a new airworthiness limitation,
which is specified in EASA AD 2025-0135 described previously, as
incorporated by reference. Any differences with EASA AD 2025-0135 are
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD.
This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance
documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). Compliance with
these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have
been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed
by this AD, the operator may not be able to accomplish the actions
described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR
91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method
of compliance (AMOC) according to paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result,
EASA AD 2025-0135 is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD
requires compliance with EASA AD 2025-0135 through that incorporation,
except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory
text of this AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of
a particular section in EASA AD 2025-0135 does not mean that operators
need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD
requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance times,''
compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section
titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2025-
0135. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0135 for compliance will be
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-8792 after this
final rule is published.
Airworthiness Limitation ADs Using the New Process
The FAA's process of incorporating by reference MCAI ADs as the
primary source of information for compliance with corresponding FAA ADs
has been limited to certain MCAI ADs (primarily those with service
bulletins as the primary source of information for accomplishing the
actions required by the FAA AD). However, the FAA is now expanding the
process to include MCAI ADs that require a change to airworthiness
limitation documents, such as airworthiness limitation sections.
For these ADs that incorporate by reference an MCAI AD that changes
airworthiness limitations, the FAA requirements are unchanged.
Operators must revise the existing maintenance or inspection program,
as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in the new
airworthiness limitation document. The airworthiness limitations must
be followed according to 14 CFR 91.403(c) and 91.409(e).
The previous format of the airworthiness limitation ADs included a
paragraph that specified that no alternative actions (e.g., inspections
or intervals) may be used unless the actions and intervals are approved
as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in the AMOCs
paragraph under ``Additional AD Provisions.'' This new format includes
a ``Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals'' paragraph that
does not specifically refer to AMOCs, but operators may still request
an AMOC to use an alternative action or interval.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
There are currently no domestic operators of these products.
Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are
unnecessary, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b). In addition, for the
foregoing reason(s), the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment,
RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes. For any
affected airplane that may be imported and placed on the U.S. Register
in the future, the FAA provides the following cost estimates 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
[[Page 56586]]
is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate.
The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new actions
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, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
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:
2026-18-01 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Amendment
39-23456; Docket No. FAA-2026-8792; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-
01180-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 18,
2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional
Model ATR42-500 airplanes, certificated in any category, as
identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-
0135, dated June 26, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0135).
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks; 21, Air Conditioning and Pressurization.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that a new airworthiness
limitation is necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
inability to close the ventilation electrical shut-off valves in
case of annunciated smoke in a Class E cargo compartment, which
could allow suppressed fire to reignite and further propagate. This
condition, if not addressed, could result in an uncontrolled fire in
the cargo compartment.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program
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 2025-0135.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0135
(1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in
paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2025-0135.
(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0135 specifies revising the
approved aircraft maintenance program (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 task specified in
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0135 is on or before the associated
thresholds as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of
EASA AD 2025-0135, 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 2025-0135.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0135.
(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they
are approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref.
Publications'' section of EASA AD 2025-0135.
(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#06474b49454660676728616970"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e8a9a5a7aba88e8989c68f879e">[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 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#31081c7067621c7078631c7370727e1c727e62715750501f565e47"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="685145293e3b4529213a452a292b27452b273b280e0909460f071e">[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 2025-0135,
dated June 26, 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#7031340330151103115e1505021f00115e1505"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2160655261444052400f4454534e51400f4454">[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
[[Page 56587]]
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#99ffebb7f0f7eae9fcfaedf0f6f7d9f7f8ebf8b7fef6ef"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="95f3e7bbfcfbe6e5f0f6e1fcfafbd5fbf4e7f4bbf2fae3">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on August 25, 2026.
Christopher R. Parker,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-18053 Filed 9-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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