Airworthiness directives: Aerospatiale,

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Federal Register: May 20, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 97)Proposed RulesPage 27688-27690From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr20my98-14

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. 98-NM-149-ADRIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and

[Page 27689]ATR72 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter capacitors and electronic cards of the cabin air recirculation fans to detect damage. This proposal also would require replacement of damaged components with new or serviceable parts, and modification of the cabin air assembly fans. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent overheating and consequent failure of the EMI filter capacitors, which could result in emission of toxic smoke and fumes throughout the airplane, and consequent adverse effects on flight crew and passengers.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 19, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-149-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, France. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filedin the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 98-NM-149-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-149-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

Discussion

The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that it has received several reports of toxic smoke and fumes emitting into the passenger compartments. Investigation revealed that the toxic smoke and fumes resulted from excess thermal stress (overheating) of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter capacitors on the electronic cards of the cabin air recirculation fans, which are associated with the right and left air- conditioning packs. The overheated EMI filter capacitors leaked electrolyte onto the electronic cards of the air recirculation fans. The electrolyte leakage caused short-circuiting, charring, and corrosion of the electronic cards, emitting toxic smoke into the passenger compartments. Such overheating and consequent failure of the EMI filter capacitors, if not corrected, could result in emission of toxic smoke and fumes throughout the airplane, and consequent adverse effects on flight crew and passengers.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

The manufacturer has issued Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletins ATR42-21-0069, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes), and ATR72-21-1048, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), which describe procedures for performing a one-time visual inspection to detect damage of the EMI filter capacitors and electronic cards of the cabin air recirculation fans of the left and right air-conditioning packs. The service bulletins also describe procedures for replacement of damaged components with new or serviceable parts, and modification of the cabin air assembly fans. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins are intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 98-070-074(B) (for Model ATR42 series airplanes) and 98-073-037(B) (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), both dated February 11, 1998, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletins reference EG&G Rotron Service Bulletin 011232500-21-1, dated December 12, 1997, as an additional source of service information for accomplishment of the modification.

FAA's Conclusions

These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously.

Interim Action

This is considered to be interim action until final action is identified, at which time the FAA may consider additional rulemaking.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 81 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this

[Page 27690]proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $14,580, or $180 per airplane.

It would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed modification at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. The cost of the required parts would be minimal. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,720, or $120 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Aerospatiale: Docket 98-NM-149-AD.

Applicability: Model ATR42-300, -320, and -500 series airplanes, as listed in Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR42-21-0069, dated February 5, 1998; and Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211, -212, and -212A series airplanes, as listed in Aerospatiale Service Bulletin ATR72-21-1048, dated February 5, 1998; certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent overheating and consequent failure of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter capacitors, which could result in emission of toxic smoke and fumes throughout the airplane, and consequent adverse effects on flight crew and passengers, accomplish the following:

  (a) Within 11 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time visual inspection to detect damage of the EMI filter capacitors and electronic cards of the cabin air recirculation fan of the right and left air-conditioning packs, in accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42- 21-0069, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes), or ATR72-21-1048, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), as applicable.

  (1) If no discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, modify and re-identify each fan assembly, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

  (2) If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, replace the damaged components with new or serviceable components, and modify and re-identify the fan assembly, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

Note 2: Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-21- 0069, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR42 series airplanes), and ATR72-21-1048, dated February 5, 1998 (for Model ATR72 series airplanes), reference EG&G Rotron Service Bulletin 011232500-21-1, dated December 12, 1997, as an additional source of service information for accomplishment of the modification.

  (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install on any airplane a cabin air-conditioning recirculation Rotron fan having part number (P/N) 011232500 Amend. A, or P/N 011494500 Amend. A, on the left or right air-conditioning pack.

  (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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International Branch, ANM-116.

Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

  (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.

Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directives 98-070-074(B) and 98-073-037(B), both dated February 11, 1998.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 14, 1998. John J. Hickey, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

FR Doc. 98-13391Filed5-19-98; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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