Federal Register #FAA20263878

FAA Proposed Airworthiness Directives for ATR and Airbus Aircraft Structural Inspections

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the Department of Transportation, is proposing new and expanded airworthiness directives for specific ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional and Airbus SAS aircraft models to address structural integrity and safety concerns. - Government Buyer: - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation - Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch - OEMs and Vendors Mentioned: - ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional (primary OEM for ATR42-500 and ATR72-212A) - Airbus SAS (referenced for A320 and A321 models) - European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA, regulatory authority) - Products/Services Requested: - Inspection and corrective actions for horizontal stabilizer components on ATR42-500 and ATR72-212A aircraft - Includes left- and right-hand leading edge lateral ribs, center box upper panel, forward back-up fitting, front spar web, and center box internal area - Focus on identifying loose, missing, or incorrectly installed fasteners, composite delamination, and cracks - Referenced ATR Service Bulletins: ATR42550020, ATR42550025, ATR72551013, ATR72551018 - Referenced EASA AD 2025-0110 - Rototest inspection for cracks and on-condition actions for Airbus A320 and A321 bulk cargo door corners - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Expanded applicability to additional ATR aircraft - One-time detailed inspections and corrective actions as specified in EASA ADs and ATR/Airbus service bulletins - No specific part numbers or product quantities for Airbus inspections; 16 U.S.-registered ATR aircraft affected - Emphasis on continued airworthiness and structural integrity - Locations: - FAA Airworthiness Products Section, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590 - FAA Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA - U.S. Department of Transportation Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12140, Washington, DC 20590

Description

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-21-10, which applies to certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR42-500 and ATR72-212A airplanes. The proposed AD continues to require inspections of 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 for discrepancies and applicable corrective action. It expands the applicability to additional airplanes and requires inspecting the HS front spar web and center box internal area for discrepancies and applicable corrective actions to address the unsafe condition.

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