FAA: Fix airplane escape hatches clogged by wrong drain hoses now!
Published Date: 2/12/2025
Rule
Summary
The FAA is making sure certain ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes fix a tricky emergency escape hatch problem caused by wrong parts on the drain hose. Starting March 19, 2025, airlines must inspect and fix these hatches and stop using some old maintenance instructions. This keeps flights safer without breaking the bank but needs quick action from operators.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Fixes emergency-hatch opening safety risk
This AD addresses a reported issue where flight deck emergency escape hatches were difficult to open because drain-hose ends were connected with incorrect parts or collars with too-small diameters. By requiring inspections and corrective actions (effective March 19, 2025), the AD reduces the risk that flightcrew cannot remove the hatch during an emergency and possibly suffer personal injury.
Mandatory drain-hose inspection for ATR42/72
If you operate ATR42 or ATR72 airplanes identified in EASA AD 2024-0090, you must inspect the flight deck emergency escape hatch drain hose for discrepancies and do any needed corrective actions by the compliance times in the AD; this AD is effective March 19, 2025. The FAA estimates the inspection requires 0.25 work-hour at $85/hour ($21.25 per airplane) and the rule affects 80 U.S.-registered airplanes.
Ban on certain older maintenance tasks
Starting March 19, 2025, the AD prohibits accomplishing maintenance using Maintenance Procedure Tasks ATR-A-52-22-XX-00ZZZ-520Z-A and ATR-A-52-22-XX-00ZZZ-720Z-A issued December 31, 2023, or earlier, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0090. Where the AD requires obtaining instructions from the manufacturer, those instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the FAA Manager, International Validation Branch; or EASA; or ATR's EASA Design Organization Approval.
Estimated total U.S. compliance cost
The FAA estimates the AD affects 80 U.S.-registered airplanes and will cost $21.25 per airplane for the required inspection, for a total estimated cost of $1,700 to U.S. operators. The FAA also estimates on-condition replacement labor at 0.25 work-hour ($21.25) plus minimal parts, and notes some costs may be covered under warranty.
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