Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 124 (Tuesday, June 28, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 28, 2016)
Proposed Rules
Pages 41897-41899
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2016-14971
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Docket No. FAA-2016-7267; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-015-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, Model DHC-8-200 series airplanes, and Model DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by several occurrences of loss of airspeed data on both pilot and co-pilot air speed indicators due to the accumulation of ice on the pitot probes. An investigation revealed that the accumulation of ice was due to inoperative pitot probe heaters. This proposed AD would require replacing the existing circuit breakers in both the left and right side of the pitot heater system with circuit breakers that have higher trip points. We are proposing this AD to prevent circuit breakers from tripping and cutting power supply to the pitot probe heater, which could cause loss of airspeed data and result in the flightcrew not being able to control the airspeed of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 12, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, 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-2016-
7267; 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 Operations 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: Assata Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Services Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 516-228-7301; 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-2016-7267; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-015-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://
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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 AD CF-2016-04, dated February 1, 2016 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes, Model DHC-8-200 series airplanes, and Model DHC-8-300 series airplanes. The MCAI states:
There have been several occurrences of loss of airspeed data on both pilot and co-pilot Airspeed Indicators (ASI) due to the accumulation of ice on the pitot probes. Subsequent investigation revealed that the build up of ice on the pitot probes was due to inoperative pitot probe heaters. When flying in heavy precipitations, the increased heat required by the pitot probe to clear ice build up may result in a current demand in excess of the trip point of the associated circuit breakers (CB). Under this condition, the CB may trip and cut power supply to the heater. If not corrected, the loss of airspeed data may result in the crew not being able to control the aeroplane's airspeed.
This Canadian AD is issued to mandate the replacement of the existing CBs with CBs that have higher trip points.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
7267.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-30-39, dated November 11, 2015, and Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-30-40, dated November 11, 2015. The service information describes replacing the existing circuit breakers in both the left and right side of the pitot heater system with circuit breakers that have higher trip points. This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
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 83 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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Replacement.............. 20 work-hours x $85 per Up to $1,194............ $2,894 $240,202
hour = $1,700.
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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:
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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2016-7267; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-015-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by August 12, 2016.
(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.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 30, Ice and rain protection.
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(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by several occurrences of loss of airspeed data on both pilot and co-pilot air speed indicators due to the accumulation of ice on the pitot probes. An investigation revealed that the accumulation of ice was due to inoperative pitot probe heaters. We are issuing this AD to prevent circuit breakers from tripping and cutting power supply to the pitot probe heater, which could cause loss of airspeed data and result in the flightcrew not being able to control the airspeed of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Replacement
Except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD, within 5,000 flight hours or 60 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Replace the existing circuit breakers in both the left and right side of the pitot heater system with circuit breakers that have higher trip points, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-30-39, dated November 11, 2015 (for the right side), and Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-30-40, dated November 11, 2015 (for the left side).
(h) Airplanes That Meet the Requirements of Paragraph (g) of This AD
For airplanes on which Bombardier ModSum IS8Q3000004 has been incorporated in production, no action is required by paragraph (g) of 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 New York 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO, ANE-170, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.
(j) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian AD CF-2016-04, dated February 1, 2016, 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 Docket No. FAA-2016-7267.
(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 June 13, 2016.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
FR Doc. 2016-14971 Filed 6-27-16; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
