2021-20-09: Time Limits/Maintenance Checks

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-03-03, Amendment 39-21406 (86 FR 11103, February 24, 2021); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2021-20-09 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional: Amendment 39-21747; Docket No. FAA-2021-0508; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00070-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 27, 2021. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2021-03-03, Amendment 39-21406 (86 FR 11103, February 24, 2021) (AD 2021-03-03). (c) Applicability This AD applies to ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211, -212, and -212A airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before October 9, 2020. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks. (e) Reason This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address fatigue cracking and damage in principal structural elements, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Retained Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 2021-03-03, with no changes. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before December 12, 2019, except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0173, dated August 5, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0173). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph. (h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0173, With Revised Exceptions This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (l) of AD 2021-03-03, with revised exceptions. (1) Where EASA AD 2020-0173 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using March 31, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-03-03). (2) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (3) of EASA AD 2020-0173 do not apply to this AD. (3) Paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0173 specifies revising "the approved AMP [aircraft maintenance program]" within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the "limitations, tasks and associated thresholds and intervals" specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0173 within 90 days after March 31, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-03-03). (4) Except as provided by paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0173, the initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0173 is at the applicable "associated thresholds" specified in paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2020-0173, or within 90 days after March 31, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-03-03), whichever occurs later. (5) The provisions specified in paragraphs (5) and (6) of EASA AD 2020-0173 do not apply to this AD. (6) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2020-0173 does not apply to this AD. (i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions and Intervals, With a New Exception This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (m) of AD 2021-03-03, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections) or intervals, are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2020-0173. (j) New Maintenance Program Revision Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2021-0020, dated January 15, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0020). Accomplishing the revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD. (k) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0020 (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0020 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2021-0020 do not apply to this AD. (3) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0020 specifies revising "the approved AMP" within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD. (4) Except as provided by Note 1 of EASA AD 2021-0020, the initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0020 is at the applicable "thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2021-0020, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (5) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2021-0020 do not apply to this AD. (6) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2021-0020 does not apply to this AD. (l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2021-0020. (m) Additional AD Provisions The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft Section, 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 local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (n) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-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, Large Aircraft Section, 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. (n) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3220; email shahram.daneshmandi@faa.gov. (o) 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. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on December 27, 2021. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0020, dated January 15, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on March 31, 2021 (86 FR 11103, February 24, 2021). (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0173, dated August 5, 2020. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For EASA AD 2021-0020 and AD 2020-0173, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. (6) 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. (7) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on November 14, 2021. Ross Landes, Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2021-25203 Filed 11-18-21; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P