Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

Published date12 March 2019
Citation84 FR 8832
Record Number2019-04411
SectionProposed rules
CourtFederal Aviation Administration
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 48 (Tuesday, March 12, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 12, 2019)]
                [Proposed Rules]
                [Pages 8832-8834]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2019-04411]
                [[Page 8832]]
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                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                Federal Aviation Administration
                14 CFR Part 39
                [Docket No. FAA-2019-0119; Product Identifier 2018-NM-156-AD]
                RIN 2120-AA64
                Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes
                AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
                ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
                certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705)
                airplanes, Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, and
                Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This proposed
                AD was prompted by reports that certain aft fuselage fittings are
                susceptible to cracking because they were not manufactured correctly.
                This proposed AD would require replacement of those fittings with
                correctly manufactured parts, an eddy current inspection of certain
                fastener holes for cracking, and corrective actions if necessary. We
                are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
                products.
                DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 26, 2019.
                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., 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec
                H4S 1Y9, Canada; Widebody Customer Response Center North America toll-
                free telephone 1-866-538-1247 or direct-dial telephone 1-514-855-2999;
                fax 514-855-7401; email [email protected]; internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may view this service information at the FAA,
                Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For
                information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-
                231-3195.
                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-2019-
                0119; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
                Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
                this NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
                information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
                5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD
                docket shortly after receipt.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristopher Greer, Aerospace Engineer,
                Aviation Safety Section AIR-7B1, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District
                Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone 781-238-7799.
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                Comments Invited
                 We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
                arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
                under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2019-0119;
                Product Identifier 2018-NM-156-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
                We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
                environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all
                comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because
                of 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 NPRM.
                Discussion
                 Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
                authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2018-25, dated October
                3, 2018 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing
                Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
                condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet
                Series 705), Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and Model CL-
                600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. The MCAI states:
                 Bombardier Aerospace (BA) has informed Transport Canada that a
                batch of AFT fuselage fittings were not heat treated to the required
                material specification. Due to the absence of heat treatment for
                those parts, the affected AFT fuselage fittings have very low
                mechanical properties and there is a possibility for undetected
                cracks to develop as a result of mooring operations, which could
                lead to aircraft structural failure.
                 This [Canadian] AD mandates the removal and replacement of the
                affected AFT fuselage fittings.
                 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-2019-
                0119.
                Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
                 Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 670BA-53-056, dated February
                11, 2016. This service information describes procedures for removal and
                replacement of the aft fuselage fittings, and an eddy current
                inspection of certain fastener holes for cracking.
                 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
                 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 the relevant information and determined the unsafe
                condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
                products of the same type design.
                Proposed Requirements of This NPRM
                 This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
                in the service information described previously.
                Costs of Compliance
                 We estimate that this proposed AD affects 12 airplanes of U.S.
                registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed
                AD:
                [[Page 8833]]
                 Estimated Costs for Required Actions *
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Cost per Cost on U.S.
                 Labor cost product Parts cost operators
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $425........................... $425 (*) $5,100
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                * Parts cost unavailable.
                 We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
                cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed
                AD.
                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.
                 This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated
                by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as
                authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order,
                issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and
                Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the
                Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable
                to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight
                Division.
                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-2019-0119; Product Identifier 2018-
                NM-156-AD.
                (a) Comments Due Date
                 We must receive comments by April 26, 2019.
                (b) Affected ADs
                 None.
                (c) Applicability
                 This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., airplanes, certificated in
                any category, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this
                AD.
                 (1) Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) and Model CL-
                600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), serial numbers (S/Ns) 15336
                through 15343 inclusive, 15351, and 15358 through 15362 inclusive.
                 (2) Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000), S/N 19041.
                (d) Subject
                 Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
                (e) Reason
                 This AD was prompted by reports that certain aft fuselage
                fittings are susceptible to cracking because they were not
                manufactured correctly. We are issuing this AD to address the
                possibility of undetected cracks developing in the aft fuselage
                fittings due to the absence of heat treatment, which could lead to
                aircraft structural failure.
                (f) Compliance
                 Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
                unless already done.
                (g) Required Actions
                 Within 8,800 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
                remove all aft fuselage fittings, replace with new aft fuselage
                fittings, and do an eddy current inspection of the fastener holes of
                frame FS1162.00 and stringers 17L, 17R, and 18L for cracking in
                accordance with Part C of the Accomplishment Instructions of
                Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-53-056, dated February 11, 2016.
                (h) Corrective Action for Cracking
                 If any crack is found during any inspection required by
                paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, repair using a
                method approved by the Manager, New York ACO Branch, 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.
                (i) Other FAA AD Provisions
                 The following provisions also apply to this AD:
                 (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New
                York ACO Branch, 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 manager of the certification
                office, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational
                Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 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.
                 (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
                Branch, FAA; or TCCA; or Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA DAO. If approved by
                the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.
                [[Page 8834]]
                (j) Related Information
                 (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
                (MCAI) Canadian AD CF-2018-25, dated October 3, 2018, 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-2019-0119.
                 (2) For more information about this AD, contact Kristopher
                Greer, Aerospace Engineer, Aviation Safety Section AIR-7B1, Boston
                ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803;
                telephone 781-238-7799.
                 (3) For information about AMOCs, contact Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace
                Engineer, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
                Westbury, New York 11590; telephone: 516-287-7329; fax: 516-794-
                5531; email: [email protected].
                 (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact
                Bombardier, Inc., 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval,
                Qu[eacute]bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; Widebody Customer Response Center
                North America toll-free telephone 1-866-538-1247 or direct-dial
                telephone 1-514-855-2999; fax 514-855-7401; email
                [email protected]; internet http://www.bombardier.com. You
                may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards
                Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the
                availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
                 Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on March 5, 2019.
                Michael Kaszycki,
                Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
                Service.
                [FR Doc. 2019-04411 Filed 3-11-19; 8:45 am]
                 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
                

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