[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 240 (Thursday, December 13, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74126-74129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30071]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-1226; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-122-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 DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by a report of a translating door handle
jamming during opening of an aft door. This proposed AD would require
replacing the handle shaft with a new single-piece machined handle
shaft on the aft entry and service doors, and require revising the
maintenance program by incorporating a new airworthiness limitation
task. We are proposing this AD to prevent a migrated pin from jamming a
translating door handle, which could prevent opening of
[[Page 74127]]
the door and impede an emergency evacuation.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 28,
2013.
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 [email protected]; 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, 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; 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: Cesar Gomez, 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) 228-7318; 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-2012-1226;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-122-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-
2012-17, dated May 24, 2012 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''),
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI
states:
There was one reported case of the translating door handle
jamming on opening. It was found that the pin on the existing handle
shaft could migrate and cause the translating door handle to jam. A
jammed translating door handle could prevent the opening of the door
and impede evacuation in the event of an emergency.
This [Canadian] AD mandates the installation of the single piece
machined handle shaft (ModSum 4-113687) on the aft entry door and
the aft service door, as well as the incorporation of the new
Airworthiness Limitation (AWL) tasks introduced as a result of this
ModSum.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 84-52-66, Revision A, dated
October 24, 2011; and Temporary Revision ALI-122, dated November 4,
2011, to Section 1 Certification Maintenance Requirements, of the
Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI) Part 2, Bombardier Q400 Dash 8
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.
This proposed AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance
documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections
is required by section 91.403(c) of the Federal Aviation Regulations
(14 CFR 91.403(c)). For airplanes that have been previously modified,
altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, an
operator might 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 of an alternative method of compliance
(AMOC) in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (j)(1) of this
proposed AD. The request should include a description of changes to the
required inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety
of the airplane.
Difference Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
The MCAI is applicable to airplanes with serial numbers 4001
through 4364. The service information omits serial number 4002. We have
omitted serial number 4002 from the applicability of this proposed AD,
because it was a flight test airplane that has been decommissioned.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 78 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 8 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 $10,596 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
parts. 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 $879,528, or $11,276 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
[[Page 74128]]
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.
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-2012-1226; Directorate Identifier
2012-NM-122-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by January 28, 2013.
(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 4364 inclusive.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52; Doors.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of a translating door handle
jamming during opening of an aft door. We are issuing this AD to
prevent a migrated pin from jamming a translating door handle, which
could prevent opening of the door and impede an emergency
evacuation.
(f) Compliance
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions
have already been done.
(g) Installation of the Single-Piece Machined Handle Shaft on the Aft
Entry Door and the Aft Service Door
Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first,
after the effective date of this AD, replace the handle shaft with a
new single-piece machined handle shaft on the aft entry and service
doors by incorporating Modification Summary (ModSum) 4-113687, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier
Service Bulletin 84-52-66, Revision A, dated October 24, 2011.
(h) Revision of the Maintenance Program Schedule
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the maintenance program by incorporating the information in
maintenance Tasks 521200-105 and 524100-105 of Bombardier Temporary
Revision (TR) ALI-122, dated November 4, 2011, into Section 1
Certification Maintenance Requirements of the Airworthiness
Limitations Items (ALI) Part 2, Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance
Requirements Manual, PSM 1-84-7. The compliance time for doing the
initial inspections of the handle shafts on the aft entry and
service door is within 25,000 flight hours after installation of the
new handle shaft specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. Thereafter,
no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used
unless the actions or intervals are approved as an alternative
method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures
specified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.
(2) The maintenance program revision required by paragraph
(h)(1) of this AD may be done by inserting a copy of Bombardier
Temporary Revision ALI-122, dated November 4, 2011, into Section 1
Certification Maintenance Requirements of the Airworthiness
Limitations Items (ALI) Part 2, Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance
Requirements Manual, PSM 1-84-7. When this TR has been included in
general revisions of the maintenance requirements manual, the
general revisions may be inserted in the maintenance requirements
manual and this TR removed.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-
66, dated July 25, 2011, which is not incorporated by reference in
this AD.
(j) 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 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.
(k) Related Information
(1) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2012-17,
dated May 24, 2012, and the service information identified in
paragraphs (k)(1)(i) and (k)(1)(ii) of this AD, for related
information.
(i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-66, Revision A, dated
October 24, 2011.
(ii) Bombardier TR ALI-122, dated November 4, 2011, to Section 1
Certification Maintenance Requirements of the Airworthiness
Limitations Items (ALI) Part 2, Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance
Requirements Manual, PSM 1-84-7.
(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 [email protected]; Internet
http://www.bombardier.com. You may review copies of the referenced
service
[[Page 74129]]
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 December 5, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-30071 Filed 12-12-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P