Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17813 · Windows
ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes
This AD applies to all ATR—GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -500 airplanes; and Model ATR72-101, -201, -102, -202, -211, -212, and -212A airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers.
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-18-18 for certain ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes. AD 2009-18-18 required repetitive inspections for damage and absence of repair of the cockpit forward side windows, and replacement if necessary. This new AD requires repetitive detailed inspections of the cockpit forward side window for damage and discrepancies; and replacement if necessary. Replacing both cockpit forward side windows with approved windows terminates the repetitive detailed inspections. This new AD also expands the applicability of AD 2009-18-18. The actions required by AD 2009-18-18 are not required by this AD. This AD was prompted by reports of a cockpit forward right- hand side blow out during flight. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct air/water leakage of the cockpit forward side window, which could lead to rapid cabin decompression, resulting in loss of control of the airplane.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
For airplanes that are equipped with any PPG Aerospace cockpit forward side glass window having part number (P/N) NP158862-1 or P/N NP158862-2: At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, do a detailed inspection of the cockpit forward side window to detect any damage and discrepancies (z-bar existing sealant repair, z-bar deformation, separation or gap in the sealant bond between the retainer and inner glass ply, z-bar deformation and retainer gap at same location, or z-bar deformation and retainer gap in window corner), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of PPG Aerospace Component Service Bulletin NP-158862-001 Revision 1, dated January 10, 2013. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 550 flight hours or 750 flight cycles, whichever occurs first, except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD.
(1) For windows for which the total flight cycles can be established, inspect within 2,000 flight cycles since first installation of the cockpit forward side window, or within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(2) For windows for which the total flight cycles cannot be established, inspect before the accumulation of 2,000 total flight cycles on the airplane, or within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
If any of the conditions specified in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3) of this AD is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, reduce the interval of each subsequent inspection as required by paragraph (g) of this AD to 50 flight cycles or 7 days, whichever occurs later.
(1) Sealant separation between the z-bar and the outer glass ply, with depth less than 4 millimeter (mm) (0.160 inches (in)).
(2) Sealant separation between the inboard retainer and inner glass ply, with depth less than 7.5 mm (0.300 in) and cumulative length less than 300 mm (12.000 in).
(3) Window showing both sealant separation between the z-bar and the outer ply, and separation between inboard retainer and inner glass ply, common to the same hole location with a length less than 225 mm (8.860 in), and not covering the entire arc of a window corner.
If, during any inspection required by this AD, any damage or discrepant condition, as defined in PPG Aerospace Component Service Bulletin NP-158862-001 Revision 1, dated January 10, 2013 (z-bar existing sealant repair, z-bar deformation, separation or gap in the sealant bond between the retainer and inner glass ply, z-bar deformation and retainer gap at same location, or z-bar deformation and retainer gap in window corner), is found, except for the conditions specified in paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), or (h)(3) of this AD, before further pressurized flight or within 10 days after the inspection, whichever occurs first, replace the affected window(s) using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent, or the Design Approval Holder (DAH) with EASA design organization approval). For a replacement method to be approved, the repair must specifically refer to this AD.
Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD: Guidance for unpressurized flight conditions and limitations can be found in ATR Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) item 21-30-1 and Dispatch Deviation Guide (DDG) item 21-30-1.(4).
Note 2 to paragraph (i) of this AD: Guidance for the replacement required by paragraph (i) of this AD can be found in ATR42/72 Job Instruction Card airplane maintenance manual (AMM) JIC 56-12-00 RAI 10000.
Submit a report of the findings of the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD to ATR techdesk, 1 ALLEE PIERRE NADOT, 31712 BLAGNAC CEDEX, France, phone: +33 (0)5 62 21 62 21; fax: +33 (0)5 62 21 67 18; email: techdesk@atr.fr; and PPG Aerospace, ATTN: Andrew Troller, P.O. Box 2200, Huntsville, AL 35811 USA, phone: 1-256-859-2500 ext. 2544; fax 1-256-859-8155; email: atroller@ppg.com; at the applicable time specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD. The report must include the information specified in PPG Aerospace Service Bulletin NP-158862-001, Revision 1, dated January 10, 2013.
(1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
Replacing only the affected window, as required by paragraph (i) of this AD, with a cockpit forward side window having P/N NP158862-1 left-hand (LH) or P/N NP158862-2 right-hand (RH), as applicable, is not terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by this AD.
Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, replace each PPG Aerospace P/N NP-158862-1 LH and P/N NP-158862-2 RH cockpit forward side window with an approved cockpit forward side window. Replacing both PPG Aerospace P/N NP158862-1 LH and P/N NP158862-2 RH cockpit forward side windows with approved windows is a terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by this AD. Replacement windows and procedures for their installation must be approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the EASA (or its delegated agent, by the DAH with EASA design organization approval).
