EASA AD No.

: 2017-0244

Airworthiness Directive
AD No.: 2017-0244
Issued: 07 December 2017
Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with Regulation
(EC) 216/2008 on behalf of the European Union, its Member States and of the European third
countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of that Regulation.

This AD is issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 748/2012, Part 21.A.3B. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the
continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may operate an aircraft to which
an AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD, unless otherwise specified by the Agency [Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 Annex I,
Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State of Registry [Regulation (EC) 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption].

Design Approval Holder’s Name: Type/Model designation(s):

ATR-GIE AVIONS de TRANSPORT RÉGIONAL ATR 42 aeroplanes

Effective Date: 21 December 2017

TCDS Number(s): EASA.A.084
Foreign AD: Not applicable
Supersedure: This AD supersedes DGAC France AD F-2004-191 (EASA approval 2004-12117)
dated 22 December 2004.

ATA 57 – Wings – Outer Wing Box Upper Rib Feet – Inspection

Manufacturer(s):
ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional (formerly Aerospatiale – Aeritalia, Aerospatiale – Alenia,
Aerospatiale ATR – ALENIA, EADS ATR – Alenia)

Applicability:
ATR 42-200, ATR 42-300, ATR 42-320, ATR 42-400 and ATR 42-500 aeroplanes, all manufacturer
serial numbers.

Reason:
Occurrence was reported of detecting cracks on the wing of one in-service ATR 42 aeroplane in
2004. The cracks were found on the upper feet of ribs and on the upper skin of the wing outer
boxes.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could adversely affect the structural integrity of the
aeroplane.

To address this potential unsafe condition, ATR issued Service Bulletin (SB) ATR42-57-0064 to
provide inspection instructions and DGAC France issued AD F-2004-191 (EASA approval 2004-12117)
to require, for aeroplanes having accumulated more than 4 000 flight cycles (FC), a one-time
Detailed Visual Inspection (DVI) of outer wing box upper skin and upper rib feet, on the right hand

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(RH) and left hand (LH) sides, from rib 24 to rib 29. After that AD was issued, based on inspection
results (all aeroplanes inspected, no similar case found), it was determined that these cracks were
an isolated case.

More recently, three other cases were reported, indicating that this may not be an isolated case and
that cracks could occur in this area of the wings on other ATR 42 aeroplanes. Consequently, ATR
published SB ATR42-57-0074 (hereafter referred as ‘ATR SB’ in this AD) to provide inspection
instructions.

For the reasons described above, this AD supersedes DGAC France AD F-2004-191 and requires
repetitive DVI of the same wing areas and, depending on findings, accomplishment of a repair.

Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s):

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously:

Repetitive Inspections:
(1) Within the compliance time defined in Table 1 of this AD and, thereafter, at intervals not to
exceed 48 months or 6 000 FC, whichever occurs first, accomplish a DVI of the LH and RH wing
rib upper feet and upper panel between rib 24 and rib 29, in accordance with the instructions
of ATR SB.

Table 1 – Initial Inspection

Compliance Time (whichever occurs later, A or B)
Within 48 months or 6 000 FC, whichever occurs first since
A
aeroplane first flight
B Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD

Corrective Action(s):
(2) If, during any inspection as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, any discrepancy is detected,
before next flight, contact ATR for approved repair instructions and, within the compliance
time(s) specified in those instructions, accomplish those instructions accordingly.

Terminating Action:
(3) Repair of an aeroplane, as required by paragraph (2) of this AD, does not constitute terminating
action for the repetitive DVI as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, unless the ATR repair
instructions specify otherwise.

Reporting:
(4) Within 30 days after each DVI as required by paragraph (1) of this AD, as applicable, the
inspection results (including no findings) have to be sent to ATR in accordance with the
instructions of ATR SB.

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 EASA AD No.: 2017-0244

Ref. Publications:
ATR Service Bulletin ATR42-57-0074 original issue dated 19 October 2017.

The use of later approved revisions of this document is acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of this AD.

Remarks:
1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative Methods of
Compliance for this AD.

2. This AD was posted on 07 November 2017 as PAD 17-156 for consultation until 05 December
2017. No comments were received during the consultation period.

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the EASA Safety Information Section,
Certification Directorate. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu.

4. For any question concerning the technical content of the requirements in this AD, please
contact: ATR - GIE Avions de Transport Régional, Continued Airworthiness Service,
Telephone: +33 (0)5 62 21 62 21, Fax: +33 (0) 5 62 21 67 18;
E-mail: continued.airworthiness@atr-aircraft.com.

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