90 FR 101 pgs. 22455-22457 - Airworthiness Directives; ATR—GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes
Type: RULEVolume: 90Number: 101Pages: 22455 - 22457
Pages: 22455, 22456, 22457Docket number: [Docket No. FAA-2025-0203; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00360-T; Amendment 39-23042; AD 2025-10-08]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-09514 Filed 5-27-25; 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-2025-0203; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00360-T; Amendment 39-23042; AD 2025-10-08]
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 certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-500 and ATR72-212A airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of potential use of improper material during the production of vertical tail plane (VTP) fittings. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, an inspection for the material of affected fuselage-to-VTP fittings, an inspection report, and corrective actions, and, for certain other airplanes, part replacement, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES:
This AD is effective July 2, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 2, 2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0203; 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. 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-2025-0203.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Darren Gassetto, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7323; email: 9-AVS-AIR-BACO-COS@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 certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-500 and ATR72-212A airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February 18, 2025 (90 FR 9698). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0120, dated June 27, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0120) (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 that there was a report of potential use of improper material during the production of fuselage-to-VTP fittings. After this supplier production quality escape was found, further review identified the affected parts population and the airplanes equipped with the affected parts. VTP fittings made of improper material, if not detected and corrected, could reduce the structural integrity of the airplane.
[top] In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require, for certain airplanes, an inspection for the material of affected fuselage-to-VTP fittings, an inspection report, and corrective actions, and, for certain other airplanes, part replacement, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0120. The FAA is issuing this AD
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0203.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) and an anonymous commenter who supported the NPRM without change.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 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
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0120. This material specifies, for certain airplanes, procedures for an inspection using electrical conductivity, hardness, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) tests for the material of affected fuselage-to-VTP fittings, an inspection report, and corrective actions, and, for certain other airplanes, fuselage-to-VTP fitting replacement. Corrective actions include contacting the manufacturer for repair instructions and compliance times, or replacing the part with a serviceable part, depending on findings. 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.
Interim Action
The FAA considers that this AD is an interim action. The inspection reports that are required by this AD will enable the manufacturer to obtain better insight into the extent of the unsafe condition, and eventually to develop final action to address the unsafe condition. Once final action has been identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 1 airplane 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 24 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $2,040 | Unknown?* | Up to $2,040 | Up to $2,040. |
| *?The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the parts specified in this AD. | |||
The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
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.
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
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:
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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. The FAA amends §?39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2025-10-08 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional: Amendment 39-23042; Docket No. FAA-2025-0203; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00360-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 2, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-500 and ATR72-212A airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0120, dated June 27, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0120).
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of potential use of improper material during the production of vertical tail plane (VTP) fittings. The FAA is issuing this AD to address VTP fittings made of improper material. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2024-0120.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0120
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0120 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0120.
(3) Paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2024-0120 specifies to report inspection results to ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional within a certain compliance time. For this AD, report inspection results at the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(3)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
(i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
(i) 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 (j) 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.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Darren Gassetto, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7323; email: 9-AVS-AIR-BACO-COS@faa.gov.
(k) 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.
(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 2024-0120, dated June 27, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) 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. You may find this 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 St., 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-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov.
Issued on May 13, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-09514 Filed 5-27-25; 8:45 am]
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