Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all Aerospatiale Model ATR42 series airplanes and Model ATR72 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the attachment clips on the wing-to-fuselage fairings and on the upper cowlings of the engine nacelle with new improved attachment clips. This proposal also would require adding cup washers on the wing-to-fuselage fairing panels on certain airplanes. This proposal is prompted by a report of deformed attachment clips found on the wing-to-fuselage fairings and on the upper cowlings of the engine nacelle. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent deformation of the attachment clips due to insufficient strength of the attachment clip material. Such deformation of the attachment clips could result in the fairings and cowlings detaching from the airplane during flight and subsequently causing damage to the empennage or posing a hazard to persons or property on the ground.