Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 Series Airplanes

Federal Register: March 17, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 51)

Proposed Rules

Page 12710-12713

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr17mr10-28

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. FAA-2010-0229; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-115-AD

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400

Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: Certain main landing gear components have experienced premature failure during certification testing. Revision has been made to the DHC-8-400 Maintenance Requirements Manual, Airworthiness

Limitation Items, to incorporate the revised safe life limits for the main landing gear lock actuator assembly, retraction actuator assembly rod end and piston, and the upper bearing in the main landing gear shock strut assembly. Failure of these components could adversely affect the structural integrity of the main landing gear. The proposed

AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 3, 2010.

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 W12-40, 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., 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec

H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-7401; e[dash]mail thd.qseries@aero.bombardier.com; Internet http://www.bombardier.com.

You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington. 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; 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, 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: Craig Yates, Aerospace Engineer,

Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft

Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New

York 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-2010-0229;

Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-115-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy

Page 12711

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 have lengthened the 30-day comment period for proposed ADs that address MCAI originated by aviation authorities of other countries to provide adequate time for interested parties to submit comments. The comment period for these proposed ADs is now typically 45 days, which is consistent with the comment period for domestic transport ADs.

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, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2009-17, dated April 22, 2009 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Certain main landing gear components have experienced premature failure during certification testing. Revision has been made to the

DHC-8-400 Maintenance Requirements Manual, Airworthiness Limitation

Items, to incorporate the revised safe life limits for the main landing gear lock actuator assembly, retraction actuator assembly rod end and piston, and the upper bearing in the main landing gear shock strut assembly. Failure of these components could adversely affect the structural integrity of the main landing gear.

This [Canadian] directive is issued to ensure safe operation of the main landing gear during its service life.

The corrective actions include revising the Airworthiness

Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, replacing the upper bearing on certain airplanes, and replacing certain rod ends. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

Bombardier has issued Temporary Revision ALI-82, dated August 15, 2008; and Temporary Revision ALI-89, dated March 27, 2009; to Part 2,

Airworthiness Limitation Items, of the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400

Maintenance Requirements Manual, PSM 1-84-7. 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 AD and the MCAI or Service Information

We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the

AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information.

We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 62 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 22 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 $18,588 per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $1,268,396, or $20,458 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: 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); and 3. 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.

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 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] 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2010-0229; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-115-AD.

Page 12712

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments by May 3, 2010.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes, having serial numbers (S/Ns) 4001, 4003, 4004, 4006, and 4008 through 4227 inclusive, certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (i) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular

(AC) 25.1529-1A.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing gear.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

Certain main landing gear components have experienced premature failure during certification testing. Revision has been made to the

DHC-8-400 Maintenance Requirements Manual, Airworthiness Limitation

Items (ALI), to incorporate the revised safe life limits for the main landing gear lock actuator assembly, retraction actuator assembly rod end and piston, and the upper bearing in the main landing gear shock strut assembly. Failure of these components could adversely affect the structural integrity of the main landing gear.

This [Canadian] directive is issued to ensure safe operation of the main landing gear during its service life.

The corrective actions include revising the Airworthiness

Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued

Airworthiness, replacing the upper bearing on certain airplanes, and replacing certain rod ends.

Compliance

(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this

AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Actions

(g) For Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes having S/Ns 4001, 4003, 4004, 4006, and 4008 through 4210 inclusive: Do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.

(1) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating the revised structural safe life limit for the upper bearing having part number (P[sol]N) 46114-1, as provided in

Bombardier Temporary Revision (TR), ALI-82, dated August 15, 2008, to Part 2, Airworthiness Limitation Items, of the Bombardier Dash 8

Q400 Maintenance Requirements Manual (MRM), PSM 1-84-7. The initial compliance time for replacing the upper bearing is specified in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.

(2) Replace the upper bearing having P/N 46114-1 with a new or serviceable upper bearing, in accordance with Goodrich Dressed Shock

Strut Assembly Main Landing Gear Part No. 46100-29/-31/-33/-35/-37/- 39/-41/-43/-45/-47/-49/-51/-53 and -55 Component Maintenance Manual with Illustrated Parts List 32-11-03, Revision 11, dated August 22, 2008, at the applicable time specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i),

(g)(2)(ii), and (g)(2)(iii), of this AD.

(i) For airplanes having accumulated fewer than 15,000 total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Replace prior to the accumulation of 15,000 total flight cycles.

(ii) For airplanes having accumulated 15,000 total flight cycles or more, but fewer than 20,000 total flight cycles, as of the effective date of this AD: Replace prior to the accumulation of 20,000 total flight cycles.

(iii) For airplanes having accumulated 20,000 total flight cycles or more as of the effective date of this AD: Replace before further flight.

(h) For Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 series airplanes having

S/Ns 4001, 4003, 4004, 4006, and 4008 through 4227 inclusive: Do the applicable actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this

AD.

(1) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the ALS of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate the revised safe life limits for the retraction actuator assembly rod end having P[sol]N P3A2750 and P3A2750-1; retraction actuator assembly piston having P/N 46570-5; lock actuator cylinder assembly having P/N 46601-1/-3; and lock actuator assembly having P/

N 46600-1/-3/-5/-7; as provided in Bombardier TR ALI-89, dated March 27, 2009, to Part 2, Airworthiness Limitation Items, of the

Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 MRM, PSM 1-84-7. The initial compliance time for the replacement is specified in the TR, except as provided by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.

(2) For airplanes with a main landing gear retraction actuator assembly rod end that has accumulated more than 9,850 total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Within 600 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, replace any affected rod end having P/Ns P3A2750 and P3A2750-1 with a new or serviceable rod end, in accordance with Goodrich Dressed Shock Strut Assembly Main

Landing Gear Part No. 46100-29/-31/-33/-35/-37/-39/-41/-43/-45/-47/- 49/-51/-53 and -55 Component Maintenance Manual with Illustrated

Parts List 32-11-03, Revision 11, dated August 22, 2008.

(i) After accomplishing the revision specified in paragraph

(g)(1) or (h)(1) of this AD, except as provided in paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative replacement times may be approved for this part.

Note 2: The ALI revisions required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD may be done by inserting a copy of Bombardier TRs ALI-82 and

ALI-89 into Part 2, Airworthiness Limitation Items, of the

Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 MRM, PSM 1-84-7. When these TRs have been included in the general revision of the MRM, the general revision may be inserted into the MRM, provided the relevant information in the general revision is identical to that in Bombardier TRs ALI-82 and ALI-89.

FAA AD Differences

Note 3: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: The MCAI and service information do not contain replacement procedures for the upper bearings and rod ends. This AD requires replacing the upper bearings and rod ends in accordance with Goodrich Dressed Shock Strut Assembly Main Landing Gear Part

No. 46100-29/-31/-33/-35/-37/-39/-41/-43/ -45/-47/-49/-51/-53 and - 55 Component Maintenance Manual with Illustrated Parts List 32-11- 03, Revision 11, dated August 22, 2008.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(j) 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. Send information to Attn: Program

Manager, Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600

Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone 516- 228-7300; fax 516-794-5531. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight

Standards 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 or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered

FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority

(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, 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 and has assigned

OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

(4) Special Flight Permits: Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199), are allowed, provided that the actions required in paragraph (h) of this AD have been accomplished.

Related Information

(k) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2009-17, dated April 22, 2009;

Page 12713

Bombardier TR ALI-82, dated August 15, 2008, and Bombardier TR ALI- 89, dated March 27, 2009, to Part 2, Airworthiness Limitation Items, of the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 Maintenance Requirements Manual, PSM 1-84-7; and Goodrich Dressed Shock Strut Assembly Main Landing Gear

Part No. 46100-29/-31/-33/-35/-37/-39/-41/-43/-45/-47/-49/-51/-53 and -55 Component Maintenance Manual with Illustrated Parts List 32- 11-03, Revision 11, dated August 22, 2008; for related information.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 9, 2010.

Jeffrey E. Duven,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

FR Doc. 2010-5858 Filed 3-16-10; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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