AD 98-13-01

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 series airplanes, that requires replacement of the left longitudinal net of the forward cargo compartment with a new reinforced net. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent blockage of the access door, which could restrict access for crewmembers between the flight deck and the passenger compartment during normal operations or an emergency evacuation.

Final rule

98-13-01 AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-10589. Docket 97-NM-64-AD.

Applicability: Model ATR42-300 and -320 series airplanes, on which Aerospatiale Modification 1878, 2482, 3193, or 8154 has not been installed, or on which simultaneous installation of Modifications 0481 and 0588 has not been accomplished; and Model ATR72-102, -202, and -212 series airplanes on which Aerospatiale Modification 2482, 3193, or 4648 has not been installed; certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise 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 ofthe 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 blockage of the access door, which could restrict access for crewmembers between the flight deck and the passenger compartment during normal operations or an emergency evacuation, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace existing cargo nets with new improved cargo nets, in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable.

(1) For Model ATR-42 series airplanes: Accomplish replacement of cargo nets in accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-25-0108, dated January 24, 1997; or Revision 1, dated February 28, 1997; or Revision 2, dated July 1, 1997.

(2) For Model ATR-72series airplanes: Accomplish replacement of cargo nets in accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-25-1052, dated February 11, 1997; or Revision 1, dated July 1, 1997.

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install on any airplane any cargo net having one of the following part numbers: 5366, 5367, 5370, 5375, or 5579.

(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 2: 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 maybe 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 replacement shall be done in accordance with the following Avions de Transport Regional service bulletins, which contain the specified effective pages:

Service Bulletin
Referenced and Date
Page Number
Shown on Page
Revision Level
Shown on Page
Date
Shown on Page
ATR42-25-0108
1-9
Original
January 24, 1997
ATR42-25-0108,
Revision 1,
February 28, 1997
1-3, 5-7

4, 8, 9
1

Original
February 28, 1997

January 24, 1997
ATR42-25-0108,
Revision 2,
July 1, 1997
1, 2, 4

3, 5, 6, 7

8, 9
2

1

Original
July 1, 1997

February 28, 1997

January 24, 1997
ATR72-25-1052
1-7
Original
February 11, 1997
ATR72-25-1052,
Revision 1,
July 1, 1997
1, 3

2, 4-7
1

Original
July 1, 1997

February 11, 1997

Thisincorporation 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.

NOTE 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directives 96-289- 069(B)R1 and 96-288-032(B)R1, both dated December 18, 1996.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on July 20, 1998.

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 and ATR72 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 14, 1998 (63 FR 18155). That action proposed to require replacement of the left longitudinal net of the forward cargo compartment with a new reinforced net.

Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Explanation of Changes Made to Proposal
The FAA has revised the final rule to reflect a change of the manufacturer s name referenced in the proposal for the service bulletins from Aerospatiale to Avions de Transport Regional.

Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of therule with the change previously described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of this AD.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 141 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,460, or $60 per airplane.

The 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.

Regulatory Impact
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
Airtransportation, 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: