AD 2003-12-10

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, and - 500 series airplanes; and Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and 212A series airplanes; that requires modification of the flight attendant's seat located in the front of the cabin, and follow-on actions. This action is necessary to prevent release of the forward flight attendant's shoulder restraint harness, which could result in injury to the flight attendant in case of turbulence. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

Final rule.

2003-12-10 Aerospatiale: Amendment 39-13195. Docket 2002-NM-331-AD.

Applicability: Airplanes listed in the following table, certificated in any category:

Airplane models-
On which these modifications have been
installed-
On which these modifications have not been
installed-
ATR42-200, -300, and -320 series airplanes
0384, 1685, or 1991; or modifications per
Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) Service Bulletins ATR42-25-0082, ATR42-98-331A, or ATR42-98-409C.
5328 per ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-25-0141, 0619, or 8023 per ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-98-025A
ATR42-500 series airplanes
4181 or 5042
5301 per ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-98-524D, or 5328 per ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-25-0141
ATR72-102, -202, -212, and -212A series airplanes.
(No applicable modification)
5328 (replacement of the inertia-reel harness with a fixed harness) per ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-25-1082

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 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 release of the forward flight attendant's shoulder restraint harness, which could result in injury to the flight attendant in case of turbulence; accomplish the following:

Modification

(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the forward flight attendant's seat located in the front of the cabin (including replacing the inertia-reel harness with a new fixed harness, and replace the backrest cover and backrest cushion with new components), per ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-25-0141, dated October 15, 2002 (for Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -500 series airplanes); or Service Bulletin ATR72-25-1082, dated October 15, 2002 (for Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and 212A series airplanes); as applicable.

Follow-on Actions

(b) Before further flight following accomplishment of the modification required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Accomplish paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD per ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-25-0141, dated October 15, 2002; or ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-25-1082, dated October 15, 2002; as applicable.

(1) Replace the seat identification placard with a new placard having a new part number (P/N).

(2) Install a new modification placard to indicate accomplishment of the SICMA Service Bulletin 138-25-008, dated September 18, 2002.

Note 2: ATR Service Bulletins ATR42-25-0141 and ATR72-25-1082 reference SICMA Service Bulletin 138-25-008 as an additional source of service information for procedures to modify the forward flight attendant's seat, and to perform follow-on actions (including replacing the seat identification placard with a new placard, and installing a new modification placard).

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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.

Special Flight Permits

(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.

Incorporation by Reference

(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-25-0141, dated October 15, 2002; or Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-25- 1082, dated October 15, 2002; as applicable. 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 2002-539(B), dated October 30, 2002.

Effective Date

(f) This amendment becomes effective on July 23, 2003.

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, -300, -320, and -500 series airplanes; and Model ATR72-102, -202, -212, and 212A series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 21, 2003 (68 FR 8477). That action proposed to require modification of the flight attendant's seat located in the front of the cabin, and follow-on actions.

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.

Clarification of Applicability

We have revised the applicability listed in Table 1 in this final rule to more clearly identify those airplanes affected by this AD.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available data, we have determinedthat air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the AD

On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. However, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we have retained the language of the NPRM regarding that material.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that approximately 80 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 actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,786 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $147,680, or $1,846 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. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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 AviationAdministration 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: