Airworthiness directives: Bombardier,

[Federal Register: October 4, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 193)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 50582-50584]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr04oc01-13]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-250-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 existing smoke detectors in the cargo compartment with new, improved smoke detectors. This action is prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information from a foreign airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent false smoke warnings from the smoke detectors in the cargo compartment. A false smoke warning prompts the flight crew to discharge fire extinguisher bottles, leaving those bottles depleted in the event of an actual fire. Repeated false smoke warnings create uncertainty as to whether an emergency landing and emergency evacuation of passengers and flightcrew is warranted.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket Number 2001-NM-250-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9 a.m. and 3 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 Number 2001-NM-250-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.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station Centre-

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ville, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Parrillo, Aerospace Engineer, ANE- 172, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York; 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 2001-NM-250-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 Number 2001-NM-250-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 smoke detectors in the cargo compartment have proven to be susceptible to dirt, condensation, and electromagnetic interference, which has resulted in over 30 incidents of false ``Cargo Smoke'' warnings on the engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS). The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent false smoke warnings from the smoke detectors in the cargo compartment. A false smoke warning prompts the flight crew to discharge fire extinguisher bottles, leaving those bottles depleted in the event of an actual fire. Repeated false smoke warnings create uncertainty as to whether an emergency landing and emergency evacuation of passengers and flightcrew is warranted.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Bombardier has issued Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-26-016, Revision A, Dated June 15, 2001, which describes procedures for replacement of the existing smoke detectors in the cargo compartment with new, improved smoke detectors. 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-2001-21, dated May 23, 2001, 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 actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 281 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement of the existing smoke detectors in the cargo compartment with new, improved smoke detectors, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The cost of required parts is approximately $4,136 ($876 for one smoke detector kit and $1,630 each for two smoke detectors). Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,195,936 or $4,256 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 proposed 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.

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

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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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

   Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

   Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Docket 2001-NM-250-AD.

   Applicability: Model Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 series airplanes, serial numbers 7003 through 7480 inclusive; certificated in any category.

   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 (c) 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 false smoke warnings from the smoke detectors in the cargo compartment, which prompt the flight crew to discharge fire extinguisher bottles, leaving those bottles depleted in the event of an actual fire, or which create uncertainty as to whether an emergency landing and emergency evacuation of passengers and flightcrew is warranted, accomplish the following:

   Replacement

   (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace the existing smoke detectors having part number (P/N) 473052, which are located in the cargo compartment, with new, improved smoke detectors having P/N 473597-19, in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-26-016, Revision A, dated June 15, 2001.

   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, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

   Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

   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-2001-21, dated May 23, 2001.

   Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 27, 2001. Charles Huber, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 01-24780Filed10-3-01; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P