# AD 97-25-18: Main Landing Gear Attachment Pins - Type: Airworthiness directive - Status: Current - Products: ATR - GIE Avions de Transport R gional ATR42-200, ATR42-300, ATR42-320 and ATR42-500 - Effective: January 20, 1998 - Published: December 15, 1997, 62 FR 65604–65606 - Issued as: Final rule - Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD - Product type: Aircraft, Large airplane - Amendment: 39-10243 - Docket: 97-NM-161-AD - Registered aircraft: 28 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs) - Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/68/d7/68d70d6af5d13a5f46e47a36a9305f5d1422ba04735bfb60ee08d6d075c1bf1c (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1997-12-15/pdf/97-32432.pdf) - Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/1997/12/15/97-32432/airworthiness-directives-aerospatiale-model-atr42-series-airplanes - FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/65CC2413832CD74286256984004825F4.0001 - DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/97-25-18 ## Summary This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42 series airplanes, that requires removal of certain landing gear attachment pins, and replacement of the pins with serviceable pins. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent wear of the attachment pins, which could result in collapse of the main landing gear. ## The airworthiness directive 97-25-18 AEROSPATIALE: Amendment 39-10243. Docket 97-NM-161-AD. Applicability: Model ATR42 series airplanes as identified in Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR42-32-0081, dated July 16, 1996, and Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR42-32-0082, dated July 16, 1996; certificated in any category. NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent wear of the landing gear attachment pins, which could result in collapse of the main landing gear (MLG), accomplish the following: (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, remove the MLG leg hinge pins and side brace assembly center pins having the part numbers (P/N) specified in paragraph C. (2) of Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR42-32-0081, dated July 16, 1996; and replace the pins with serviceable pins, in accordance with the Aerospatiale service bulletin and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-127, Revision 1, dated October 22, 1996. (b) Prior to the accumulation of 15,000 landings since the last overhaul of the MLG, or within 8 years time-in-service since the last overhaul of the MLG, whichever occurs first, remove the MLG swinging lever/barrel pins and shock absorber universal joint hinge pins having the P/N's specified in paragraph C. (2) of Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR42-32-0082, dated July 16, 1996; and replace the pins with serviceable pins, in accordance with the Aerospatiale service bulletin and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-128, Revision 1, dated November 15, 1996. NOTE 2: Serviceable pins include those that have been removed, inspected and marked with green paint in accordance with Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-127, Revision 1, dated October 22, 1996; or Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. 631-32-128, Revision 1, dated November 15, 1996; as applicable. (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install any MLG pin having a part number identified in Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR42-32-0081, dated July 16, 1996, or Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. ATR42-32-0082, dated July 16, 1996, on any airplane unless that pin is considered to be serviceable in accordance with the applicable service bulletin. (d) Analternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116. NOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116. (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with the following Aerospatiale and Messier Dowty service bulletins, which contain the following specified list of effective pages: Service Bulletin Referenced and Date Page Number Revision Level Shown on Page Date Shown on Page Aerospatiale ATR42-32-0081, July 16, 1996 1-7 Original July 16, 1996 Aerospatiale ATR42-32-0082, July 16, 1996 1-6 Original July 16, 1996 Messier Dowty 631-32-127, Revision 1, October 22, 1996 1-15, 19-31 16-18 1 Original October 22, 1996 July 18, 1996 Messier Dowty 631-32-128, Revision 1, November 15, 1996 1-11, 13-22 12 1 Original November 15, 1996 July 18, 1996 This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Aerospatiale, 316 Route de Bayonne, 31060 Toulouse, Cedex 03, France. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. NOTE 4: The subject of this AD is addressed issued French airworthiness directive 96- 131-064(B), dated July 3, 1996. (g) This amendment becomes effective on January 20, 1998. ## Rule preamble ### Supplementary information A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 25, 1997 (62 FR 44915). That action proposed to require removal of certain landing gear attachment pins, and replacement of the pins with serviceable pins. Comments Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the single comment received. The commenter supports the proposed rule. Conclusion After careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed. Cost Impact The FAA estimates that 88 Model ATR42 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 45 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $237,600, or $2,700 per airplane. The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. Regulatory Impact The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a "significant rule" under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption "ADDRESSES." List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 39.13 [Amended] 2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: ## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs) The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names. - [TCDS A53EU](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A53EU): ATR – GIE Avions de Transport Régional; names 4 of 11 models: ATR42-300, ATR42-320, ATR42-200, ATR42-500 ## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs) Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment. - Aircraft: 28 (28 by airframe model, 0 by engine model) - Makers: Aerospatiale/Aeritalia 16, Atr-Gie Avions De Trnsp Region 6, Aerospatiale/Alenia 3, Atr-Gie Avions De Transport 1, Atr-Gie Avions De Trnsp Rgnl 1, Eads/Alenia ATR 1 Models with the most aircraft: - [Aerospatiale/Aeritalia ATR 42-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-aeritalia-atr-42-300): 12 aircraft (airframe model) - [Atr-Gie Avions De Trnsp Region ATR42-500](https://openairdocs.org/model/atr-gie-avions-de-trnsp-region-atr42-500): 6 aircraft (airframe model) - [Aerospatiale/Aeritalia ATR 42-320](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-aeritalia-atr-42-320): 4 aircraft (airframe model) - [Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR 42-320](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-alenia-atr-42-320): 2 aircraft (airframe model) - [Atr-Gie Avions De Transport ATR-42-320](https://openairdocs.org/model/atr-gie-avions-de-transport-atr-42-320): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Atr-Gie Avions De Trnsp Rgnl ATR 42-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/atr-gie-avions-de-trnsp-rgnl-atr-42-300): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Eads/Alenia ATR ATR 42-500](https://openairdocs.org/model/eads-alenia-atr-atr-42-500): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR42-500](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-alenia-atr42-500): 1 aircraft (airframe model) All 8 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/97-25-18/models.md Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/97-25-18/aircraft.md ## Related documents - [Proposed rule 97-NM-161-AD](https://openairdocs.org/proposed/97-NM-161-AD): Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), published Aug 25, 1997 Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.