Airworthiness directives: Bombardier,
[Federal Register: August 7, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 152)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 51147-51149]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07au02-29]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-100-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600- 2B19 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the overwing emergency exit placards, door weight placards, and no baggage placards with new placards. This action is necessary to prevent the inability of a passenger to open and dispose of the overwing emergency exit door during an emergency evacuation due to incorrect placards. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 6, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-100-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-100-AD'' in the subject line and need not be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.
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The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station Centreville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Parrillo, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7505; fax (516) 568-2716.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a request to change the compliance time and a request to change the service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed AD is being requested.
Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filedin the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 2002-NM-100-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-100-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness authority for Canada, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 series airplanes. TCCA advises that the instructions pictured on the overwing emergency exit placards are incorrect. The existing placards show a person opening the overwing emergency exit door in a sitting position, but disposing of it while standing. Due to seat pitch and placement, the overwing emergency exit door can be opened and disposed of only while a person is seated. Incorrect placards on the overwing emergency exit door, if not corrected, could result in the inability of a passenger to open and dispose of the overwing emergency exit door during an emergency evacuation.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Alert Service Bulletin A601R-11-077, Revision ``A,'' dated December 11, 2001, including Attachments 1 and 2, which describes procedures for replacement of the overwing emergency exit placards, door weight placards, and no baggage placards with new placards (including cleaning of the applicable surface). Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. TCCA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2002-12, dated February 4, 2002, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in Canada and is type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, TCCA has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of TCCA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of the action specified in the service bulletin described previously, except as discussed below.
Difference Between Proposed Rule and Referenced Service Bulletin
Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment Instructions of the referenced service bulletin describe procedures for completing a comment sheet related to service bulletin quality and a sheet recording compliance with the service bulletin, this proposed AD would not require those actions. The FAA does not need this information from operators.
Difference Between Proposed Rule and Canadian Airworthiness Directive
The Canadian airworthiness directive requires replacement of the overwing emergency exit placards, door weight placards, and no baggage placards with new placards, per Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-11-077, Revision `A,' dated December 11, 2001, ``or later revision approved by the Director, Aircraft Certification, Transport Canada.'' This proposed AD would NOT specify the option of accomplishing the proposed replacement per later approved revisions of the referenced Bombardier service bulletin. The use of the phrase, ``or later approved revisions,'' violates Office of the Federal Register regulations regarding approval of materials that are incorporated by reference. However, affected operators may request approval to use a later revision of the referenced service bulletin as an alternative method of compliance, under the provisions of paragraph (b) of the proposed AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 284 Model CL-600-2B19 series airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately between 1 and 2 hours per airplane depending on the airplane configuration to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately between $47 and $195
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per airplane depending on the configuration of the airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $30,388 and $89,460, or $107 and $315 per airplane depending on the configuration of the airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions. However, for affected airplanes within the period under the warranty agreement, the FAA has been advised that the manufacturer has committed previously to its customers that it will bear the cost of the placard kits.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, it is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
-
The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
-
Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Docket 2002-NM-100-AD.
Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 series airplanes, certificated in any category, having the serial numbers listed in the following table:
Table--Serial Numbers
Serial Numbers
7003 through 7434 inclusive 7436 through 7442 inclusive 7444 through 7452 inclusive 7454 through 7458 inclusive 7460 through 7497 inclusive 7499 through 7504 inclusive
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent the inability of a passenger to open and dispose of the overwing emergency exit door during an emergency evacuation due to incorrect placards, accomplish the following:
Installation of Placards
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the overwing emergency exit placards, door weight placards, and no baggage placards with new placards (including cleaning of the applicable surface), as applicable, per Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-11-077, Revision `A,' dated December 11, 2001, including Attachments 1 and 2; except it is not necessary to complete the comment and compliance sheet.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, New York ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the New York ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2002-12, dated February 4, 2002.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 29, 2002. Vi L. Lipski, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-19876Filed8-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
