Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier Model CL 600 2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) Airplanes,
[Federal Register: January 24, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 16)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 4125-4127]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24ja08-36]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0047; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-295-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 400) airplanes. The existing AD currently requires revising the airworthiness limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness of the maintenance requirements manual (MRM) by incorporating procedures for repetitive functional tests of the pilot input lever of the pitch feel simulator (PFS) units. That AD also requires new repetitive functional tests of the pilot input lever of the PFS unit, and corrective actions if necessary; and after initiating the new tests, requires removal of the existing procedures for the repetitive functional tests from the MRM. This new action would require revised procedures for the functional tests. This proposed AD results from a report that the shear pin located in the input lever of two PFS units failed due to fatigue. We are proposing this AD to prevent undetected failure of the shear pins of both PFS units simultaneously, which could result in loss of pitch feel forces and consequent reduced control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 25, 2008.
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 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov ; 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: Dan Parrillo, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone 516-228-7305; 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-2008-0047; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-295-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 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 proposed AD.
Discussion
On March 21, 2006, we issued AD 2006-05-11 R1, amendment 39-14528 (71 FR 15323, March 28, 2006), for certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 400) airplanes. That AD requires revising the airworthiness limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness of the maintenance requirements manual (MRM) by incorporating procedures for repetitive functional tests of the pilot input lever of the pitch feel simulator (PFS) units. That AD also requires new repetitive functional tests of the pilot input lever of the PFS unit, and corrective actions if necessary; and after initiating the new tests, requires removal of the existing procedures for the repetitive functional tests from the MRM. That AD resulted from a report that the shear pin located in the input lever of two PFS units failed due to fatigue. We issued that AD to prevent undetected failure of the shear pin of both PFS units simultaneously, which could result in loss of pitch feel forces and consequent reduced control of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
AD 2006-05-11 R1 cited Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-27- 144, Revision A, dated February 14, 2006, as the appropriate source of service information for the functional tests and associated corrective actions and reporting requirements. Since we issued that AD, Bombardier has revised the service bulletin. Revision B, dated December 20, 2006, revises the column check procedures by specifying ambient temperature conditions for performing the check. Remaining actions are unchanged.
Revision B of the service bulletin contains an additional requirement. So we must supersede AD 2006-05-11 R1 to require the revised procedures specified in Revision B of the service bulletin.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These airplanes 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
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this bilateral airworthiness agreement, TCCA has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. We have examined TCCA's findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that AD action is necessary for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
This proposed AD would supersede AD 2006-05-11 R1 and retain its requirements, but in accordance with revised procedures for the functional tests.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action. The inspection reports that are required by this AD will enable the manufacturer to obtain better insight into the nature, cause, and extent of the failures of the shear pins of the PFS units, and eventually to develop final action to address the unsafe condition. Once final action has been identified, we might consider further rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
Number of U.S.- Action
Work hours Average labor
Cost per airplane
registered
Fleet cost rate per hour
airplanes
Revise MRM.....................
1
$80 $80................................
684 $54,720. Functional tests...............
1
$80 $80, per test cycle................
684 $54,720, per test cycle.
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 have 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 that the proposed regulation:
-
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); 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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
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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]
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by removing amendment 39-14528 (71 FR 15323, March 28, 2006) and adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Docket No. FAA-2008-0047; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-295-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by February 25, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-05-11 R1.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 400) airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 7003 through 7990 inclusive, and 8000 and subsequent.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report that the shear pin located in the input lever of two pitch feel simulator (PFS) units failed due to fatigue. We are issuing this AD to prevent undetected failure of the shear pins of both PFS units simultaneously, which could result in loss of pitch feel forces and consequent reduced control of the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Restatement of Requirements of AD 2006-05-11 R1
Revise Airworthiness Limitations (AWL) Section of Maintenance Requirements Manual
(f) For airplanes having serial numbers 7003 through 7990 inclusive: Within 14 days after February 13, 2004 (the effective date of AD 2004-02-07, which was superseded by AD 2006-05-11 R1), revise the AWL section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness of the maintenance requirements manual by incorporating the functional check of the PFS pilot input lever, Task R27-31-A024-01, as specified in Bombardier Temporary Revision (TR) 2B-1784, dated October 24, 2003, to the CL-600-2B19 Canadair Regional Jet Maintenance Requirements Manual, Part 2, Appendix B, ``Airworthiness Limitations,'' into the AWL section.
New Repetitive Functional Tests and Corrective Actions
(g) Before the accumulation of 4,000 total flight hours, or within 100 flight hours after March 27, 2006 (the effective date of AD 2006-05-11 R1), whichever occurs later: Do a functional test of the pilot input lever of the PFS units to determine if the lever is disconnected, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-27-144, Revision A, dated February 14, 2006,
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including Appendix A, dated September 15, 2005, except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD. Repeat the test at intervals not to exceed 100 flight hours. Accomplishing the initial functional test terminates the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD and the repetitive functional checks of the PFS pilot input lever, Task R27- 31-A024-01, as specified in the AWL section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness of CL-600-2B19 Canadair Regional Jet Maintenance Requirements Manual.
(h) If any lever is found to be disconnected during any functional test required by paragraph (g) of this AD, do the actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-27-144, Revision A, dated February 14, 2006, including Appendix A, dated September 15, 2005, except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD.
(1) Before further flight, replace the defective PFS with a serviceable PFS in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin; and
(2) Within 30 days after removing the defective PFS, submit a test report to the manufacturer in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin. Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements contained in this AD and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
Previously Accomplished Actions
(i) Actions done before March 27, 2006, in accordance with Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-27-144, including Appendix A, dated September 15, 2005, are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
New Requirements of This AD
New Service Bulletin for Functional Tests
(j) As of the effective date of this AD, Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-27-144, Revision B, dated December 20, 2006, including Appendix A, Revision A, dated December 20, 2006, must be used for the actions required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k)(1) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
Related Information
(l) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2005-41, dated December 22, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 14, 2008. Stephen P. Boyd, Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1167 Filed 1-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
