2023-02-08: 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 2021-09-13, Amendment 39-21527 (86 FR 27031, May 19, 2021); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-02-08 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional: Amendment 39-22315; Docket No. FAA-2022-0396; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01050-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 14, 2023. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2021-09-13, Amendment 39-21527 (86 FR 27031, May 19, 2021) (AD 2021-09-13). (c) Applicability This AD applies to ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-500 airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before July 29, 2022. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code: 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program, With a New Terminating Action This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 2021-09-13, with a new terminating action. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness dated on or before July 7, 2020: 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 2020-0263, dated December 1, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0263). 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 2020-0263, With No Changes This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph (k) of AD 2021-09-13, with no changes. For airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness dated on or before July 7, 2020, the following exceptions apply: (1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2020-0263 do not apply to this AD. (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0263 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, within 90 days after June 23, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-09-13). (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA 2020-0263 is at the applicable "thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0263, or within 90 days after June 23, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-09-13), whichever occurs later. (4) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2020-0263 do not apply to this AD. (5) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2020-0263 does not apply to this AD. (i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions, Intervals, and Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs), With New Exception This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (l) of AD 2021-09-13, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, after the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, and CDCCLs are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2020-0263. (j) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program 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 2022-0200, dated September 26, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0200). 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 2022-0200 (1) The requirements specified in paragraph (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2022-0200 do not apply to this AD. (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0200 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. (3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0200 is at the applicable "limitations" and "associated thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0200, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. (4) The provisions specified in paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2022-0200 do not apply to this AD. (5) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2022-0200 does not apply to this AD. (l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions, Intervals, and CDCCLs After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections), intervals, and CDCCLs are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2022-0200. (m) 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 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, 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) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 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 March 14, 2023. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0200, dated September 26, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on June 23, 2021 (86 FR 27031, May 19, 2021). (i) EASA AD 2020-0263, dated December 1, 2020. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For EASA ADs 2022-0200 and 2020-0263, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu. You may find these EASA ADs on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. (6) You may view this service information 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 service information 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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on January 20, 2023. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-02528 Filed 2-6-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P