Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-19139 · Instruments
ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Airplanes
This AD applies to ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-500 airplanes, and Model ATR72-212A airplanes; certificated in any category; all manufacturer serial numbers on which ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Modification 5948 (New Avionics Suite installation) has been embodied in production, except those airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Airplanes on which ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Mod 6977 (New Avionics Suite Standard 2) has been embodied in production.
(2) Airplanes on which ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-31-0091, or ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-31-1092, has been incorporated.
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 revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide procedures to the flight crew for operational restrictions affecting in-flight use of the autopilot (AP) or yaw damper (YD) during dual-engine operation. This AD also provides an optional software modification, which would terminate the AFM requirement. This AD was prompted by flight test evaluations that revealed that after engine failure during AP or YD re-engagement, the YD unit commanded the rudder to return to neutral position, leading to inadequate balancing of the asymmetric power. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Limitations Section of the applicable ATR-42 and ATR-72 airplane flight manuals (AFMs) to include figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD. Amending the AFM of an airplane by inserting a copy of this AD into the applicable AFM of that airplane is acceptable to comply with the requirements of this paragraph for that airplane.
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, amend the operator's ATR MEL, as applicable, by incorporating the dispatch restrictions listed in figure 2 to paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, and thereafter operate the airplane accordingly.
(2) Amending the operator's ATR MEL, as applicable, of an airplane by inserting a copy of this AD, or incorporating a later MMEL revision which includes the same dispatch restrictions as specified in figure 2 to paragraph (h)(1) of this AD is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (h)(1) of this AD for that airplane.
(3) As of the effective date of this AD: If any of the systems identified in paragraph (h)(3)(i), (h)(3)(ii), and (h)(3)(iii) of this AD are inoperative, an airplane may be operated as specified in the MMEL, provided that the MEL of that airplane has been amended to be consistent with the MEL restrictions specified in figure 2 of this AD.
(i) One of two ADCs.
(ii) One of two AHRSs.
(iii) One of two DC generators.
Installation of new avionics suite standard 2 software on an airplane, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-31-0091, Revision 1, dated May 05, 2015, or ATR Service Bulletin ATR72-31-1092, Revision 2, dated March 31, 2015, as applicable, terminates the AFM and MEL revisions required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, for that airplane.
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.
