2023-03-09: 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 2021-20-09, Amendment 39-21747 (86 FR 64805, November 19, 2021); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-03-09 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional: Amendment 39-22334; Docket No. FAA-2022-1245; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00503-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 3, 2023. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2021-20-09, Amendment 39-21747 (86 FR 64805, November 19, 2021) (AD 2021-20-09). (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 September 21, 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 tasks and 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 Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 2021-20-09, with no changes. For ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211, -212, and -212A airplanes, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before October 9, 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 2021-0020, dated January 15, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0020). 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 2021-0020, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 2021-20-09, with no changes. (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0020 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using December 27, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-20-09). (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 December 27, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-20-09). (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 December 27, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-20-09), 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. (i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions and Intervals, With a New Exception This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (l) of AD 2021-20-09, 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) and intervals are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2021-0020. (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 2022-0201, dated September 26, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0201). 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 2022-0201 (1) Where EASA AD 2022-0201 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 2022-0201 do not apply to this AD. (3) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0201 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) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0201 is at the applicable "limitations" and "associated thresholds" as incorporated by the requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2022-0201, 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 2022-0201 do not apply to this AD. (6) The "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2022-0201 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 2022-0201. (m) Additional FAA 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 April 3, 2023. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022-0201, dated September 26, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following service information was approved for IBR December 27, 2021 (86 FR 64805, November 19, 2021). (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2021-0020, dated January 15, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (5) For EASA ADs 2022-0201 and 2021-0020, 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 these EASA ADs on the EASA website at 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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on February 1, 2023. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-03693 Filed 2-24-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P