AD 2006-17-06 Airworthiness Directives; Aerospatiale Model ATR42-500 Airplanes and Model ATR72-212A Airplanes

Models named: ATR42-500, ATR72-212A. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Aerospatiale Model ATR42-500 airplanes and Model ATR72-212A airplanes, certificated in any category; on which Aerospatiale Modification 4440 has been accomplished; except those Model ATR42-500 airplanes having serial numbers (S/Ns) 618 and subsequent; and except those Model ATR72-212A airplanes having S/Ns 682, 683, 684, 687, and 694 and subsequent.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Restatement of Requirments of AD 2004-12-13 Service Bulletin References for Paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of This AD (f) The term “service bulletin,” as used in paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this AD, means the Accomplishment Instructions of Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-55-0011, excluding the Accomplishment Report, dated September 26, 2002 (for Model ATR42-500 series airplanes); and Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-55-1003, Revision 1, excluding the Accomplishment Report, dated November 13, 2002 (for Model ATR72-212A series airplanes); as applicable. (1) For Model ATR72-212A series airplanes: Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD per Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-55-1003, dated October 11, 2002, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions required by this AD. (2) Where the service bulletins specify to report inspection results to the manufacturer, this AD does not require such reporting. Repetitive Inspections (g) Within 500 flight hours after July 22, 2004 (the effective date of AD 2004-12-13): Perform a detailed inspection for cracking of the upper closing rib of the vertical fin, per the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin. Repeat this inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 flight hours until the modification required by paragraph (j) of this AD is accomplished. Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: “An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.” One-time Follow-on Inspections (h) Before further flight following the initial detailed inspection for cracking required by paragraph (g) of this AD, measure the planarity of the upper closing rib and measure the gap between the rudder horn and the upper closing rib of the vertical fin; per paragraphs 2.C.(2) and 2.C.(3) of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin. Repair (i) If any crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD; or if any wave, anomaly, or measurement is found that is outside the limits specified in the applicable service bulletin: Before further flight, do all applicable actions in and per paragraph 2.C.(4) of the applicable service bulletin; except, where the applicable service bulletin says to contact the manufacturer for an approved repair solution, repair per a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (or its delegated agent). New Requirements of This AD Modification (j) Within 4,000 flight hours or 36 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Modify the installation of the vertical leading edge fairing at the fin tip (including doing the detailed inspection for cracking, misplacement, or deformation of the upper closing rib of the vertical fin) by accomplishing all the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-55-0012, Revision 2, dated June 28, 2005 (for Model ATR42-500 airplanes); or ATR72-55-1004, Revision 3, dated September 23, 2005 (for Model ATR72-212 airplanes); as applicable; except where the service bulletins specify to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. Accomplishment of this modification terminates the repetitive inspection requirement of paragraph (g) of this AD. Note 2: Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-55-0012 refers to Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-55-0011, dated September 26, 2002 (for Model ATR42-500 airplanes), as the appropriate source of service information for doing the detailed inspection specified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-55-1004 refers to Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-55-1003, Revision 1, dated November 13, 2002 (for Model ATR72-212 airplanes), as the appropriate source of service information for doing the detailed inspection specified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Modification According to Previous Issues of the Service Bulletins (k) Modifying the installation of the vertical leading edge fairing at the fin tip is also acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (j) of this AD if done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with one of the following service bulletins: Table 1.—Previous Issues of Service Bulletins Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin Revision level Date ATR42-55-0012 Original December 15, 2004. ATR42-55-0012 1 March 3, 2005. ATR72-55-1004 Original December 15, 2004. ATR72-55-1004 1 March 3, 2005. ATR72-55-1004 2 June 28, 2005. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (l)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. Related Information (m) French airworthiness directive F-2005-059, dated April 13, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (n) You must use the service bulletins listed in Table 2 of this AD, as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. Table 2.—Material Incorporated by Reference Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin Revision level Date ATR42-55-0011, excluding the Accomplishment Report Original September 26, 2002. ATR42-55-0012, excluding the Accomplishment Report 2 June 28, 2005. ATR72-55-1003, excluding the Accomplishment Report 1 November 13, 2002. ATR72-55-1004, excluding the Accomplishment Report 3 September 23, 2005. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-55-0012, Revision 2, excluding the Accomplishment Report, dated June 28, 2005; and Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-55-1004, Revision 3, excluding the Accomplishment Report, dated September 23, 2005; in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-55-0012, Revision 2, excluding the Accomplishment Report, dated June 28, 2005, includes the following effective pages:   Page Nos. Revision level shown on page Date shown on page 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15-17, 19, 24, 25, 27, 28, 31, 37, 38 2 June 28, 2005. 2, 21, 39, 40 1 March 3, 2005. 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 18, 20, 22, 23, 26, 29, 30, 32-36, 41-46 Original December 15, 2004. Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-55-1004, Revision 3, excluding the Accomplishment Report, dated September 23, 2005, includes the following effective pages:   Page Nos. Revision level shown on page Date shown on page 1, 4, 43, 44 3 September 23, 2005. 2, 21, 39, 40 1 March 3, 2005. 3, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15-17, 19, 24, 25, 27, 28, 31, 37, 38 2 June 28, 2005. 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 18, 20, 22, 23, 26, 29, 30, 32-36, 41, 42, 45, 46 Original December 15, 2004. (2) On July 22, 2004 (69 FR 33834, June 17, 2004), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR42-55-0011, excluding the Accomplishment Report, dated September 26, 2002; and Avions de Transport Regional Service Bulletin ATR72-55-1003, Revision 1, excluding the Accomplishment Report, dated November 13, 2002. (3) Contact Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, France, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov ; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html . Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 9, 2006. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6-13651 Filed 8-18-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a report that rudder operation difficulties occurred on a Model ATR42-500 series airplane while the airplane was on the ground. We are issuing this AD to prevent interference between the upper closing rib and the rudder, which could result in a rudder jam and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.