Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
Federal Register, Volume 78 Issue 238 (Wednesday, December 11, 2013)
Federal Register Volume 78, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 11, 2013)
Proposed Rules
Pages 75291-75293
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2013-29513
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Docket No. FAA-2013-1025; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-096-AD
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes; and DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a beta warning horn (BWH) system failing to activate when the beta mode was triggered. This proposed AD would require modifying the BWH microswitch installation. We are proposing this AD to prevent the inadvertent activation of ground beta mode during flight, which could lead to engine overspeed, engine damage or failure, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 27, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone 416-375-4000; fax 416-375-
4539; email thd.qseries@aero.bombardier.com; Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Page 75292
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kent Fredrickson, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion and Flight Test Branch, ANE-173, FAA; New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone 516-228-7364; fax 516-794-5531.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-1025; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-096-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2012-01R1, dated March 6, 2013 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
* * * * *
During an on-ground Beta Warning Horn (BWH) system check conducted in the wake of an in-flight Beta range operation incident on a DHC-8 Series 200 aeroplane, it was discovered that the BWH system failed to activate when the Beta mode was triggered.
An investigation by Bombardier had determined that the deformation of the flexible center console cover could cause the BWH system triggering microswitch to malfunction, resulting in dormant failure of the BWH system. To mitigate the safety risk by minimizing the risk exposure period, TCCA * * * mandated a 50 hours periodic operational test of the BWH system functionality.
To address the root cause of the subject problem, Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin (SB) 8-76-33 that modifies the BWH microswitch installation by replacing the BWH microswitch attachment bracket with a new, more robust bracket that is not affected by deformation of the center console cover. TCCA AD CF-2012-01 is therefore revised to mandate compliance with SB 8-76-33 as terminating action for the 50 hours periodic operational test requirement.
The unsafe condition is the inadvertent activation of ground beta mode during flight, which could lead to engine overspeed, engine damage or failure, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-
2013-1025.
Relevant Service Information
Bombardier, Inc., has issued Service Bulletin 8-76-33, dated December 13, 2012. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service Information
Although the MCAI includes an operational test of the BWH system, this proposed AD does not require that action. Once the actions required by this AD are done, the modification of the BWH microswitch installation adequately addresses the identified unsafe condition. Also, AD 2005-13-35, Amendment 39-14172 (70 FR 48854, August 22, 2005), for all Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-100, DHC-8-200, and DHC-8-300 series airplanes, includes a requirement for certain airplanes to perform operational checks of the beta lockout system. This difference has been coordinated with TCCA.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 94 airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Modification...................... 7 work-hours x $85 per $117 $712 $66,928
hour = $595.
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According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in ``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation
Page 75293
is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed regulation:
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Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
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Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
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Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
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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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 Amended
0
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The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2013-1025; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-096-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by January 27, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-102, -103, -
106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes; certificated in any category; serial numbers 003 through 672 inclusive with a beta warning horn (BWH) (Mod 8/2852) incorporated; except for airplanes that have incorporated Bombardier option CR873CH00003, CR873CH00005, CR873SOO8112, or MS8Q902206.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 31, Instruments; Code 76, Engine Controls.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of a BWH system failing to activate when the beta mode was triggered. We are issuing this AD to prevent the inadvertent activation of ground beta mode during flight, which could lead to engine overspeed, engine damage or failure, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Terminating Modification
Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this AD: Modify the BWH microswitch installation by replacing the existing BWH microswitch installation bracket with a new bracket having part number 87610164-003, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-76-33, dated December 13, 2012.
(h) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the ACO, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-5531. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its delegated agent, or by the Design Approval Holder with a State of Design Authority's design organization approval). For a repair method to be approved, the repair approval must specifically refer to this AD. You are required to ensure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(i) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2012-01R1, dated March 6, 2013, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-1025.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone 416-375-4000; fax 416-375-4539; email thd.qseries@aero.bombardier.com; Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may view copies of this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 29, 2013.
Johm P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
FR Doc. 2013-29513 Filed 12-10-13; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
