2024-09-03: Flight Controls

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: 2024-09-03 ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional: Amendment 39-22745; Docket No. FAA-2024-1298; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00216-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 6, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-500 and Model ATR72-101, -102, -201, -202, -211, -212, and -212A airplanes. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight Controls. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by heavy corrosion on one of the two lugs of the travel limiting unit (TLU) lever assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address corrosion of the TLU lever assembly. The unsafe condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in the rudder deflection not being limited at high airplane speed which, if combined with a large rudder pedal input, could ultimately result in loss of control of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements 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 2024-0096, dated May 2, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0096). (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0096 (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0096 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2024-0096 specifies "to contact ATR for repair instructions and to accomplish those instructions accordingly," this AD requires replacing that text with "repair of any corrosion 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) The service information referenced in EASA AD 2024-0096 specifies replacement of the TLU lever "before further flight" or "within 6 months," as applicable depending on the results of the inspection and conductivity test. For this AD, the compliance time to replace the TLU lever starts from the conductivity test. (4) Replace paragraph (8) of EASA AD 2024-0096 with "Accomplishment of the applicable actions for affected parts in accordance with ATR AOM 2024/04 Issue 1 is acceptable to comply with the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this AD, as applicable, for those affected parts only." (5) Paragraph (9) of EASA AD 2024-0096 specifies to report inspection results to ATR within a certain compliance time. For this AD, report inspection results at the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(5)(i) or (ii) of this AD. (i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the inspection. (ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the effective date of this AD. (6) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2024-0096. (i) 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 manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 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 DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (j) 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 [email protected]. (k) 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 June 6, 2024. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0096, dated May 2, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (4) For EASA AD 2024-0096, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website ad.easa.europa.eu. (5) You may view this service information 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 [email protected]. Issued on May 10, 2024. James D. Foltz, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-11172 Filed 5-17-24; 11:15 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P