Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200 and -300 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-43-AD; Amendment 39-9046; AD 94-21-04]

Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200 and -300

Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Model ATR42-200 and -300 series airplanes, that

requires a one-time dye penetrant inspection to detect cracking in

certain hinge pins of the nose landing gear (NLG), and replacement of

cracked pins with crack-free pins. This amendment is prompted by

reports of cracking of certain hinge pins in the NLG. The actions

specified by this AD are intended to prevent collapse of the NLG due to

cracking of the hinge pins.

DATES: Effective November 28, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of November 28, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex

03, France. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket,

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington,

DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sam Grober, Aerospace Engineer,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)

227-1187; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-

200 and -300 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on

June 6, 1994 (59 FR 29210). That action proposed to require a one-time

dye penetrant inspection to detect cracking in certain hinge pins in

the NLG, and replacement of cracked pins with crack-free pins.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to

the single comment received.

The commenter supports the proposed rule.

After careful review of the available data, including the comment

noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public

interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

The FAA estimates that 128 airplanes of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor

rate is $55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost

impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $42,240, or $330

per airplane.

The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on

assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the

requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish

those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct

effects 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. Therefore, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is

not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;

(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and

Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action

and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained

from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption

ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by

reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of

the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

94-21-04 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-9046. Docket 94-NM-43-AD.

Applicability: Model ATR42-200 and -300 series airplanes

equipped with hinge pins installed at the nose landing gear (NLG)

that are manufactured by Nardi, have part number D56867, and have

serial numbers beginning with the letter ``N'', certificated in any

category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent collapse of the NLG due to cracking of the hinge

pins, accomplish the following:

(a) Prior to the accumulation of 10,000 total landings or within

1,000 landings after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs

later, perform a dye penetrant inspection to detect cracking in the

hinge pins on the NLG in accordance with Avions de Transport

Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-32-0064, dated January 17, 1994.

(1) If no cracking is found, prior to further flight, reinstall

that hinge pin in accordance with the service bulletin.

(2) If cracking is found, prior to further flight, install a new

hinge pin or a pin that has been previously inspected and found to

be crack-free, in accordance with the service bulletin.

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no hinge pin

manufactured by Nardi having part number D56867 and any serial

number beginning with the letter ``N,'' shall be installed on the

NLG of any airplane, unless that pin has been previously inspected

and has been found to be crack-free, in accordance with Avions de

Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-32-0064, dated January 17,

1994.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their

requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,

who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

Note: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where

the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(e) The inspection, reinstallation, and installation shall be

done in accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service

Bulletin ATR42-32-0064, dated January 17, 1994. This incorporation

by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in

accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be

obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse,

Cedex 03, France. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or

at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW.,

suite 700, Washington, DC.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on November 28, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 4, 1994.

S.R. Miller,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-25057 Filed 10-27-94; 8:45 am]

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