Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18188 · Flight controls
ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes
This AD applies to airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-500 airplanes having manufacturer serial number (MSN) 671 through 815 inclusive, except MSN 811.
(2) ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR72-212A airplanes having MSN 769 through 914 inclusive, except MSN 826, 905, 908, and 911.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 and ATR72- 212A airplanes. This AD requires inspection of the affected control systems rods and, depending on findings, a replacement of the affected rods. This AD was prompted by reports of non-conformity of certain control rods, which could result in failure of the control rods. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct failure of an affected control rod, which, under certain circumstances, could result in reduced control of the airplane.
For airplanes identified in ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0105, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011; or ATR72-27-1066, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011; as applicable to airplane model: Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect all four elevator control rods having part number (P/N) S27381930-004 and P/N S27381831-006 for batch number identification, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0105, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011; or ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1066, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011, as applicable to airplane model. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection, if the batch number can be conclusively determined from that review. Replace any affected rod, including any rod with an unreadable batch number, at the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, in accordance with ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0105, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011; or ATR72-27-1066, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011; as applicable to airplane model.
(1) If only one rod is affected: Replace it within 10 days after the inspection.
(2) If two or more rods are affected: Replace all rods before further flight, except that replacement of one of the affected rods may be deferred for 10 days.
For airplanes identified in ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0104, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011; or ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1065, Revision 02, dated August 30, 2011; as applicable to airplane model: Inspect all four rudder pedal rods having P/N S2728116400000 for batch number identification, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0104, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011; or ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1065, Revision 02, dated August 30, 2011; as applicable to airplane model. For any affected rudder pedal rod, including any rod with an unreadable batch number, before further flight, check the rod diameter using a special tool, in accordance with ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0104, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011; or ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1065, Revision 02, dated August 30, 2011; as applicable to airplane model.
(1) If, during the diameter check, the rod passes through the tool, replace the rod before further flight.
(2) If, during the diameter check, the rod does not pass through the tool, replace the rod within 5,000 flight hours after the diameter check.
For airplanes identified in paragraph (c) of this AD, except for airplanes having MSNs 671, 673, and 769 through 784 inclusive: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect the rudder tab control rod P/N S27281929-002 for batch number identification, using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Avions de Transport Régional (ATR)'s EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If the rudder tab control rod belongs to batch number 2107267 or 2120855, or if the batch number is unreadable: Before further flight, replace the rod with a serviceable rod using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or EASA; or ATR's EASA DOA.
Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD: ATR 42/72 Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM)/Job Instruction Cards (JIC) 27-20-00 DVI 1000 and AMM/JIC 27-21-42 RAI 10000 are additional sources of guidance for accomplishment of the rudder tab control rod inspection.
Submit a report of the rod inspection and check required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD at the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD, in accordance with the instructions specified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD.
(1) Submit the report at the applicable time specified in paragraph (j)(1)(i) or (j)(1)(ii) of this AD.
(i) If the inspection or check was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection or check.
(ii) If the inspection or check was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Submit the report (including no findings) to ATR using the Accomplishment Report form provided in the service information identified in paragraph (j)(2)(i), (j)(2)(ii), (j)(2)(iii), or (j)(2)(iv) of this AD; as applicable to airplane model.
(i) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0104, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011.
(ii) ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-27-0105, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011.
(iii) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1065, Revision 02, dated August 30, 2011.
(iv) ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-27-1066, Revision 01, dated August 30, 2011.
(3) Send the report to 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 techdesk@atr.fr.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
