FAA to ATR Planes: Check Your Nose Gear Before It Retracts Mid-Flight!
Published Date: 9/17/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to keep ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes safe by checking their nose landing gear for leaks that could cause it to retract unexpectedly. Owners will need to test certain parts and replace them if needed, plus follow new rules about installing these parts. Comments are open until November 2, 2026, so operators should act soon to avoid safety risks and potential costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Fix to Stop Uncommanded Nose Gear Retraction
The FAA proposes a rule for ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes to stop reports of uncommanded nose landing gear retraction. You must do a leakage test of certain landing gear selector valves (LGSVs), replace valves if needed, and limit installing affected parts, following EASA AD 2026-0046 procedures.
On-Condition Valve Replacement Cost
If a leakage test shows a valve needs replacement, the FAA estimates on-condition actions would cost about 3 work-hours ($255) plus $11,900 parts, for a total of $12,155 per airplane. The FAA could not estimate how many airplanes will need these replacements.
Required Test: 2-Hour Labor Cost
The proposed AD would require a leakage test that the FAA estimates takes 2 work-hours at $85 per hour, costing $170 per airplane. The FAA estimates this proposed AD would affect 32 U.S.-registered airplanes for a total estimated cost to U.S. operators of $5,440.
Reporting and Paperwork Burden
The proposed AD requires reporting the leakage-test results. The FAA estimates each required report takes about 1 hour to prepare and is covered by OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
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Key Dates
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