We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 airplanes and Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of failure of emergency power supply units (EPSUs) in production and in service. This AD requires an inspection to determine the part number and serial number of each EPSU, and replacement if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Final rule.
Adoption of 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 (AD):
2017-09-12 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional: Amendment 39-18874; Docket No. FAA-2016-9430; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM- 051-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective June 27, 2017.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Model ATR42-500 airplanes, all manufacturer serial numbers (MSNs), except those on which ATR Modification 6780 has beenembodied in production.
(2) Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A airplanes, all MSNs on which ATR Modification 3715 has been embodied in production, except those on which ATR Modification 6780 has been embodied in production.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 33, Lights.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of failure of emergency power supply units (EPSUs) in production and in service. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct defective internal electronic components, which could adversely affect the EPSU internal battery. This condition could result in a partial or total loss of emergency lighting, possibly affecting passenger evacuation during an emergency situation.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Inspection of EPSU and Corrective Action
Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect each EPSU on the airplane to determine the part number (P/N) and serial number. For any EPSU having P/N 301-3100 Amendment (Amdt) A and a serial number identified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, and that does not have a control sticker marked with ``SIL 301- 3100-33-001'': Except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD, before further flight, replace the EPSU with a serviceable unit, as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 03, dated May 25, 2016; or Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 03, dated July 20, 2016; as applicable. A review of airplane maintenance records may be done in lieu of inspection of the EPSUs on the airplane if the part number and serial number of each EPSU can be positively determined from that review.
Figure 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--Affected Serial Numbers of EPSU P/N 301-3100 Amdt A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Affected Serial Numbers of EPSU P/N 301-3100 Amdt A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2905 4929 4960 4994 5025 5077 5113 5156
2906 4930 4961 4995 5026 5079 5114 5157
3401 4931 4962 4996 5027 5080 5115 5158
3697 4932 4963 4997 5028 5081 5116 5159
3825 4933 4964 4998 5029 5082 5117 5160
4343 4934 4965 4999 5031 5083 5118 5161
4420 4935 49665000 5032 5084 5119 5162
4634 4936 4967 5001 5033 5085 5120 5163
4706 4937 4968 5002 5034 5086 5121 5164
4707 4938 4969 5003 5038 5087 5122 5166
4708 4939 4970 5004 5041 5088 5123 5171
4709 4940 4971 5005 5042 5089 5124 5172
4710 4941 4972 5006 5046 5090 5125 5173
4711 4942 4973 5007 5047 5091 5126 5174
4712 4943 4976 5008 5050 5092 5127 5175
4713 4944 4977 5009 50525096 5128 5176
4714 4945 4978 5010 5054 5097 5129 5177
4715 4946 4979 5011 5055 5098 5130 5178
4716 4947 4980 5012 5056 5099 5131 5179
4717 4948 4981 5013 5058 5100 5132 5180
4718 4949 4982 5014 5059 5101 5133 5181
4719 4950 4983 5015 5065 5103 5134 5182
4720 4951 4984 5016 5067 5104 5135 5183
4721 4952 4985 5017 5068 5105 5136 5184
4722 4953 4986 5018 5069 5106 51385185
4723 4954 4987 5019 5070 5107 5139 5186
4724 4955 4988 5020 5071 5108 5140 5187
4745 4956 4989 5021 5072 5109 5147 None
4926 4957 4990 5022 5073 5110 5153 None
4927 4958 4991 5023 5075 5111 5154 None
4928 4959 4993 5024 5076 5112 5155 None ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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(h) Definition of Serviceable EPSU
For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable EPSU is one that meets the criteria in paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), or (h)(3) of this AD.
(1) Has P/N 301-3100 Amdt A anda serial number that is not included figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) Has P/N 301-3100 Amdt A and a serial number that is included in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, but has a control sticker marked with ``SIL 301-3100-33-001.''
(3) Has P/N 301-3100 Amdt B, or later amendment.
(i) Alternative Modification of Affected EPSU
In lieu of the replacement required by paragraph (g) of this AD, modification of an affected EPSU may be done in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of COBHAM Service Bulletin 301-3100-33- 002, Revision 3, dated July 30, 2015.
(j) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on any airplane any EPSU having P/N 301-3100 Amdt A and a serial number identified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, unless it has a control sticker marked with ``SIL 301-3100-33-001.''
(k) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using the applicable service information identified in paragraph (k)(1), (k)(2), (k)(3), (k)(4), (k)(5), or (k)(6) of this AD, provided it can be determined that no EPSU having a serial number listed in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD has been installed on that airplane since the actions in the applicable service bulletin were completed.
(1) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, dated December 11, 2015.
(2) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 01, dated January 26, 2016.
(3) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 02, dated May 2, 2016.
(4) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, dated December 11, 2015.
(5) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 01, dated January 26, 2016.
(6) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 02, dated May 2, 2016.
(l) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1112; fax 425-227-1149. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (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.
(m) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD 2016-0070, dated April 11, 2016; corrected April 12, 2016; for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9430.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1112; fax 425-227-1149. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov.
(3) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (n)(3), (n)(4), and (n)(5) of this AD.
(n) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 03, dated May 25, 2016.
(ii) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 03, dated July 20, 2016.
(iii) COBHAM Service Bulletin 301-3100-33-002, Revision 3, dated July 30, 2015.
(3) For ATR service information identified in this AD, contact ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional, 1, All[eacute]e Pierre Nadot, 31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 (0) 5 62 21 62 21; fax +33 (0) 562 21 67 18; email continued.airworthiness@atr.fr; Internet http://www.aerochain.com.
(4) For COBHAM service information identified in this AD, contact Cobham Aerospace Communications, 174-178 Quai de Jemmapes, Paris, France, 75010; telephone +33 (0) 1 53 38 98 98; fax +33 (0) 1 42 00 67 83.
(5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
(6) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 airplanes and Model ATR72- 102, -202, -212, and -212A airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2016 (81 FR 86627). The NPRM was prompted by reports of failure of EPSUs in production and in service. The NPRM proposed to require an inspection to determine the part number and serial number of each EPSU, and replacement if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct defective internal electronic components, which could adversely affect the EPSU internal battery. This condition could result in a partial or total loss of emergency lighting, possibly affecting passenger evacuation during an emergency situation.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2016-0070, dated April 11, 2016; corrected April 12, 2016 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''); to correct an unsafe condition for certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 airplanes and Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A airplanes. The MCAI states:
Some failure cases have been reported of emergency power supply units (EPSU), Part Number (P/N) 301-3100 Amdt [Amendment] A, both on the production line and in service. The results of the technical investigations revealed that these failures could have been caused by a defective internal electronic component, which could affect the EPSU internal battery charge.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in a partial or total (depending on number of affected EPSUs installed) loss of emergency lighting, possibly affecting passenger evacuation during an emergency situation.
To address this potential unsafe condition, ATR issued Service Bulletin (SB) ATR42-33-0050 and SB ATR72-33-1043 to provide instructions to inspect EPSUs.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires identification and replacement of the affected EPSUs with serviceable units.
This [EASA] AD was republished to correct two typographical errors in paragraph (3) of the [EASA] AD and to specify the correct Revision (3) of the Cobham SB 301-3100-33-002.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016- 9430.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to that comment.
[[Page 23495]]
Request To Refer to Revised Service Information
Empire Airlines requested that the NPRM be revised to refer to the current revision levels of the applicable ATR service information, which were issued by ATR after the NPRM was published in the Federal Register. Empire Airlines noted that the revised service information does not include any additional actions for airplanes on which the previous service information was accomplished and the serial numbers of the parts to be inspected have not changed.
We agree with the commenter's request for the reasons provided by the commenter. In paragraph (g) of the proposed AD, we identified ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 01, dated January 26, 2016; and ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 01, dated January 26, 2016; as the appropriate sources of service information for doing the EPSU inspection and corrective actions. We have revised paragraph (g) of this AD to refer to ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 03, dated May 25, 2016; and ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 03, dated July 20, 2016; as the appropriate sources of service information for accomplishing the required actions.
We have also revised paragraph (k) of this AD to provide credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using the service information identified in paragraphs (k)(1) through (k)(6) of this AD.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.
We also determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
ATR has issued Service Bulletin ATR42-33-0050, Revision 03, dated May 25, 2016; and ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-33-1043, Revision 03, dated July 20, 2016. This service information describes procedures for inspecting an EPSU to determine the part number, serial number, and amendment level, and replacing the EPSU. These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane models.
Cobham Aerospace Communications has issued COBHAM Service Bulletin 301-3100-33-002, Revision 3, dated July 30, 2015, which describes procedures for modifying an EPSU by replacing the printed circuit board.
This service information 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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 11 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inspection........................ 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 per EPSU (4 EPSUs $3,740
hour = $85 per EPSU. per airplane). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements that will be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Replacement........................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = Not available........... $85
$85 per EPSU. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.
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.
We are 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
We determined that 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;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
[[Page 23496]]
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
4. 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
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Sign Up to UnlockShahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1112; fax 425-227-1149.