Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

Federal Register, Volume 79 Issue 68 (Wednesday, April 9, 2014)

Federal Register Volume 79, Number 68 (Wednesday, April 9, 2014)

Proposed Rules

Pages 19546-19548

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2014-07934

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. FAA-2014-0191; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-256-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-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of swing arm assemblies of engine fuel feed ejector pumps detaching from the outlet port of

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the engine fuel feed ejector pump and partially blocking the engine fuel feed line. This proposed AD would require installing a restrictor into the engine fuel feed line. We are proposing this AD to prevent blocked engine fuel flow and possible engine flameout.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 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.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-

0191; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the 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: Morton Lee, Propulsion Engineer, Propulsion & Services Branch, ANE-173, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7355; 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-2014-0191; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-256-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-

2013-35, dated November 15, 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:

There have been incidents of the ``ENG FUEL PRESS'' caution light illuminating in-flight. An investigation revealed the engine fuel feed ejector pump swing arm assembly became detached from the outlet port of the engine fuel feed ejector pump and partially blocked the engine fuel feed line. If the failed swing arm assembly migrates along the fuel line downstream of the Fuel Tank AUX Pump junction, it could block the engine fuel flow and the affected engine may experience a flameout condition.

Bombardier issued Service Bulletin (SB) 84-28-16 to introduce a restrictor into the engine fuel feed line that is designed to contain a detached ejector pump swing arm assembly.

This Canadian AD mandates the installation of a restrictor into the engine fuel feed line to prevent possible engine flameout.

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-2014-0191.

Relevant Service Information

Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 84-28-16, Revision B, dated June 17, 2013. 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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 81 airplanes of U.S. registry.

We also estimate that it would take about 12 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $82,620, or $1,020 per product.

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 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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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);

3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and

4. 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

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

   0

2. Amend Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

   Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2014-0191; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-256-AD.

   (a) Comments Due Date

   We must receive comments by May 27, 2014.

   (b) Affected ADs

   None.

   (c) Applicability

   This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -

   402 airplanes; certificated in any category; serial numbers 4001, and 4003 through 4417 inclusive, with installed engine fuel feed ejector pump having part number (P/N) 2960008-102.

   (d) Subject

   Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

   (e) Reason

   This AD was prompted by reports of swing arm assemblies of engine fuel feed ejector pumps detaching from the outlet port of the engine fuel feed ejector pump and partially blocking the engine fuel feed line. We are issuing this AD to prevent blocked engine fuel flow and possible engine flameout.

   (f) Compliance

   Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

   (g) Installation

   Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this AD, install a restrictor into the engine fuel feed line, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-28-16, Revision B, dated June 17, 2013.

   (h) Credit for Previous Actions

   This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-28-16, dated July 16, 2012; or Revision A, dated May 23, 2013. This service information is not incorporated by reference in this AD.

   (i) 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 the DAH 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.

   (j) Related Information

   (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2013-35, dated November 15, 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-2014-0191.

   (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 this 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 April 2, 2014.

   Jeffrey E. Duven,

   Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   FR Doc. 2014-07934 Filed 4-8-14; 8:45 am

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P