Airworthiness directives: Bombardier,

[Federal Register: August 12, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 155)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 43948-43950]

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

[DOCID:fr12au99-19]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-321-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes, that currently requires a one-time inspection to detect chafing of electrical wires in the cable trough below the cabin floor; repair, if necessary; installation of additional tie-mounts and tie- wraps; and application of sealant to rivet heads. This action would require the accomplishment of these same actions on additional airplanes. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent chafing of electrical wires, which could result in an uncommanded shutdown of an engine during flight.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-321-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.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Cuneo, Senior Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7506; 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 notice may be changed in light of the comments received.

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 notice must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 98-NM-321-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. 98-NM-321-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

Discussion

On September 14, 1998, the FAA issued AD 98-20-14, amendment 39- 10781 (63 FR 50501, September 22, 1998), applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and - 315 series airplanes, to require a one-time inspection to detect chafing of electrical wires in the cable trough below the cabin floor; repair, if necessary; installation of additional tie-mounts and tie- wraps; and application of sealant to

[[Page 43949]]

rivet heads. The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent chafing of electrical wires, which could result in an uncommanded shutdown of an engine during flight.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

Since the issuance of that AD, Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness authority for Canada, issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-98-08R1, dated September 16, 1998. Airworthiness directive CF-98-08R1 revises the applicability of Canadian airworthiness directive CF-98-08, dated March 26, 1998, to include Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes having serial numbers 3 through 540, excluding serial number 462. Canadian airworthiness directive CF-98-08 was applicable to Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes having serial numbers 3 through 519, excluding serial number 462.

FAA's Conclusions

These airplane models are manufactured in Canada and are 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 supersede AD 98-20-14 to continue to require a one-time inspection to detect chafing of electrical wires in the cable trough below the cabin floor; repair, if necessary; installation of additional tie-mounts and tie-wraps; and application of sealant to rivet heads. This proposal would expand the applicability of the existing AD to include additional airplanes. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-53-66, dated March 27, 1998.

Differences Between Existing AD, Service Bulletin, and Proposed Rule

Operators should note that Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-53- 66, dated March 27, 1998, describes, and the existing AD requires, a visual inspection to detect chafing of electrical wires in the cable trough below the cabin floor. This proposed AD refers to that inspection as a general visual inspection. Note 2 of this AD also includes a definition of this type of inspection.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 231 Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes of U.S. registry that would be affected by this proposed AD.

The actions specified in this proposed rule are currently required by AD 98-20-14, which is applicable to 210 Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, and -202 series airplanes. For these airplanes, it takes approximately 70 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts are provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the current requirements of that AD on U.S. operators of these airplanes is estimated to be $882,000, or $4,200 per airplane. The proposed AD would add no new costs for these airplanes.

The actions specified in this proposed rule are currently required by AD 98-20-14, which is applicable to 15 Model DHC-8-301, -311, and - 315 series airplanes. For these airplanes, it takes approximately 100 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the current requirements of that AD on U.S. operators of these airplanes is estimated to be $90,000, or $6,000 per airplane.

The actions specified in this proposed AD would be applicable to 6 additional Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -315 series airplanes of U.S. registry and would take approximately 100 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operator. Based on these figures, the new costs proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $36,000, or approximately $6,000 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct effects 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, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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

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 removing amendment 39-10781 (63 FR 50501, September 22, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), to read as follows:

   Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Docket 98-NM-321-AD. Supersedes AD 98-NM-172-AD, Amendment 39-10781.

   Applicability: Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, - 311, and -315 series airplanes; serial numbers 3 through 540

   [[Page 43950]]

   inclusive, excluding serial number 462; 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 (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 chafing of electrical wires, which could result in an uncommanded shutdown of an engine during flight, accomplish the following:

   One-Time Inspection, Corrective Action, and Modification

   (a) Perform a one-time general visual inspection to detect chafing of electrical wires in the cable trough below the cabin floor; install additional tie-mounts and tie-wraps; and apply sealant to rivet heads (reference Bombardier Modification 8/2705); in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-53-66, dated March 27, 1998, at the time specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable. If any chafing is detected during the inspection required by this paragraph, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with the service bulletin.

   Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or external area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

   (1) For airplanes having serial numbers 3 through 519 inclusive, excluding serial number 462: Inspect within 36 months after October 27, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-20-14, amendment 39-10781).

   (2) For airplanes having serial numbers 520 through 540 inclusive: Inspect within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, or at the next ``C'' check, whichever occurs first.

   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, Engine and Propeller Directorate. 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 3: 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian airworthiness directive CF-98-08R1, dated September 16, 1998.

   Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 6, 1999. D.L. Riggin, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 99-20882Filed8-11-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P