2023-21-10: Stabilizers

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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-21-10 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional: Amendment 39-22582; Docket No. FAA-2023-1713; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00781-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 5, 2024. (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 ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-55-0020, dated March 2, 2023; or ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-55-1013, dated March 2, 2023; as applicable. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code: 55, Stabilizers. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of loose fasteners and cracks in the horizontal stabilizer (HS) left- and right-hand leading edge lateral ribs, the box in between, the center box upper panel, and HS forward back-up fitting. The FAA is issuing this AD to address loose, missing, or incorrectly installed fasteners, composite delamination, and cracks in the HS. 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 paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0125, dated June 22, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0125). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0125 (1) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023-0125 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0125 specifies to "contact ATR for approved repair instructions and, within the compliance time specified therein, accomplish those instructions accordingly" if any discrepancy is detected, for this AD if any crack is detected, the crack must be repaired before further flight 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. (3) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0125. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0125 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) 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 (k) 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. (k) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3220; email shahram.daneshmandi@faa.gov. (l) 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. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0125, dated June 22, 2023. (ii) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-55-0020, dated March 2, 2023. (iii) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-55-1013, dated March 2, 2023. (3) For EASA AD 2023-0125, 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 this EASA AD on the EASA website ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) For ATR service information identified in this AD, contact ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional, 1 Allée Pierre Nadot, 31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 (0) 5 62 21 62 21; fax +33 (0) 5 62 21 67 18; email continued.airworthiness@atr aircraft.com; website atr-aircraft.com. (5) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. (6) 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 October 20, 2023. Ross Landes, Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. Issued on October 20, 2023. Ross Landes, Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-26381 Filed 11-30-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P