90 FR 39 pgs. 10851-10853 - Airworthiness Directives; ATR—GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes
Type: RULEVolume: 90Number: 39Pages: 10851 - 10853
Pages: 10851, 10852, 10853Docket number: [Docket No. FAA-2024-2422; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00378-T; Amendment 39-22962; AD 2025-04-04]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-03292 Filed 2-27-25; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2422; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00378-T; Amendment 39-22962; AD 2025-04-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR72 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the main landing gear (MLG) rear hinge pin being ruptured. This AD requires replacing affected parts and prohibits the installation of affected parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES:
This AD is effective April 4, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 4, 2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-2422; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
• You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-2422.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shahram Daneshmandi, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-231-3220; email: Shahram.Daneshmandi@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211, -212, and -212A airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 12, 2024 (89 FR 88913). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0124, dated July 1, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0124) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states several occurrences of a ruptured MLG rear hinge pin having part number (P/N) D61000 were reported (including cracked or burnt pins). An investigation on all MLG rear hinge pin batches revealed six pins were subjected to non-detected thermal abuse in production during grinding process. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to structural failure and consequent collapse of the MLG, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to the occupants.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing affected parts and prohibit the installation of affected parts, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0124.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-2422.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
Conclusion
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on this product. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2024-0124 specifies replacing certain serial numbered MLG rear hinge pin P/N D61000 with a serviceable part and prohibits the installation of affected parts. This material 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
[top] The FAA estimates that this AD affects 41 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
| Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product | Cost on U.S. operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $680 | Up to $14,940 | Up to $15,620 | Up to $640,420. |
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators.
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.
The FAA is 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
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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
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
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority:
49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701.
§?39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends §?39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2025-04-04 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional: Amendment 39-22962; Docket No. FAA-2024-2422; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00378-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 4, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211, -212, and -212A airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by several occurrences of a ruptured main landing gear (MLG) rear hinge pin. The FAA is issuing this AD to address MLG rear hinge pins that might rupture due to a manufacturing defect. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in structural failure and consequent collapse of the MLG, possibly resulting in damage to the airplane and injury to the occupants.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0124, dated July 1, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0124).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0124
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0124 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0124 defines a serviceable part as "Any MLG hinge pin, eligible for installation in accordance with applicable ATR instructions, that is not an affected part," for this AD replace that text with "Any MLG hinge pin, eligible for installation, that is not an affected part."
(3) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0124.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0124 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
(j) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Validation Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-231-3220; email: Shahram.Daneshmandi@faa.gov.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
[top] (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0124, dated July 1, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locationsoremailfr.inspection@nara.gov.
Issued on February 12, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-03292 Filed 2-27-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P