AD 98-04-43

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR72 series airplanes, that requires removal of certain landing gear attachment pins, and replacement of the pins with serviceable pins. 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 wear of the attachment pins, which could result in collapse of the main landing gear.

Final rule.

98-04-43 AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-10354. Docket 97-NM-280-AD.

Applicability: Model ATR72 series airplanes; as identified in Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1036, dated June 19, 1996, and Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1037, dated June 19, 1996; 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 (d) 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 shouldinclude specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent wear of the landing gear attachment pins, which could result in collapse of the main landing gear (MLG), accomplish the following:

(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, remove the MLG leg hinge pins and side brace assembly center pins having the part numbers (P/N) specified in paragraph B. of the Planning Information of Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1036, dated June 19, 1996; and replace the pins with serviceable pins, in accordance with the Aerospatiale service bulletin and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-125, dated May 7, 1996.

(b) Prior to the accumulation of 15,000 landings since the last overhaul of the MLG, or within 8 years since the last overhaul of the MLG, whichever occurs first: Remove the MLG swinging lever/barrel pins and shock absorber/universal joint hinge pins having the P/N's specified in paragraph B. of the Planning Information of Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1037, dated June 19, 1996; and replace the pins with serviceable pins; in accordance with the Aerospatiale service bulletin and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-126, dated May 7, 1996.

NOTE 2: Serviceable pins include those that have been removed, inspected, and marked with green paint in accordance with Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-125, dated May 7, 1996; or Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-126, dated May 7, 1996; as applicable.

(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install any MLG pin having a part number identified in Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1036, dated June 19, 1996, or Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1037, dated June 19, 1996, on any airplane unless that pin is considered to be serviceable in accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

(d) 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.

(e) 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.

(f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1036, dated June 19, 1996; Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR72-32-1037, dated June 19, 1996; Messier-Dowty ServiceBulletin No. 631-32-125, dated May 7, 1996; and Messier- Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-126, dated May 7, 1996. 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.

NOTE 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 96-096- 029(B), dated May 9, 1996.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on April 3, 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 ATR72 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 9, 1997 (62 FR 64777). That action proposed to require removal of certain landing gear attachment pins, and replacement of the pins with serviceable pins.

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.

Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 39 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 18 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average laborrate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $42,120, or $1,080 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
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive