ATR planes face stricter checks—FAA keeps 'em flying.
Published Date: 2/13/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to update safety rules for ATR42 airplanes to keep them flying safely. If you own or work on these planes, you’ll need to follow new, stricter maintenance checks soon. Comments on these changes are open until March 31, 2025, so get ready to adjust your schedules and budgets!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Must revise maintenance programs for ATR42
If you own or operate ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-200, ATR42-300, or ATR42-320 airplanes, you must revise your existing maintenance or inspection program to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations specified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0121 (dated June 27, 2024). This proposed FAA AD would supersede AD 2023-10-08 and requires following the EASA AD material (with certain listed exceptions) as incorporated by reference.
FAA cost estimate: $7,650 per action set
The FAA estimates the proposed AD would affect 22 U.S.-registered airplanes. The agency estimates the cost per operator to perform the retained actions from AD 2023-10-08 is $7,650 (90 work-hours × $85/hour) and separately estimates the cost per operator to revise the program for the new proposed actions is $7,650 (90 work-hours × $85/hour).
90-day deadline to update maintenance program
The proposed AD requires operators to revise the existing maintenance or inspection program within 90 days after the effective date of this FAA AD (the rule also reiterates a 90-day timing requirement tied to the earlier AD effective July 11, 2023 for prior requirements). The revisions must incorporate the specified limitations and associated thresholds or comply at the applicable limitations, whichever occurs later.
Limited option to seek alternative compliance (AMOC)
Operators that cannot accomplish the revised actions because of prior modifications, alterations, or repairs may request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) under 14 CFR 39.19. The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, has authority to approve AMOCs, and some alternate actions/intervals/CDCCLs may only be used if approved as specified in the referenced EASA publications.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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