[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 105 (Friday, May 31, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32579-32581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12897]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0459; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-044-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 CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700,
701, & 702) airplanes, 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 of erratic pitch movement and oscillatory
behaviors of the elevator control system. This proposed AD would
require repetitive replacement of the bellcrank supports on the inner
rear spar of the horizontal stabilizer with new, improved bellcrank
supports. We are proposing this AD to prevent erratic pitch movement
and transient accelerations, which could result in a significant pitch
upset, and injuries to passengers and flightcrew.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 15, 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., 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec
H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-7401; 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: Ricardo Garcia, 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) 228-7331; 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-2013-0459;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-044-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-
2013-03, dated February 5, 2013 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:
There have been several reported incidents of erratic pitch
movements and oscillatory behaviors of the elevator control system.
Investigation revealed that, the increase in the elevator breakout
force induced by the introduction of a new elevator centering
mechanism, in combination with the existing
[[Page 32580]]
bracket assembly backlash and bearing friction of the bell crank
support, could result in erratic pitch movement and oscillatory
behavior of the elevator control system. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in pitch upset of the aeroplane that
generates transient accelerations. These accelerations could be high
enough to injure aeroplane occupants that are not restrained in
their seats.
This [TCCA] AD mandates the repetitive replacement of the
bellcrank supports with a new bearing.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Bombardier, Inc. has issued Service Bulletin 670BA-27-064, dated
December 11, 2012.
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.
Difference Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service Information
The MCAI specifies using ``later approved revisions'' of the
service information when accomplishing the requirements. However,
``later approved revisions'' must not be used in an AD when referring
to the service document because doing so violates Office of the Federal
Register (OFR) regulations for approval of materials ``incorporated by
reference'' in rules. Therefore, we have not included ``later approved
revisions'' in this proposed AD. If additional parts are identified in
later revisions of the service information, we might consider further
rulemaking then.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 400 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 7 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. Required parts would cost up to
$2,422 per product. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based
on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators to be up to $1,206,800, or up to $3,017 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);
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
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 AD:
Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2013-0459; Directorate Identifier
2013-NM-044-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by July 15, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1),
(c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700,
701, & 702) airplanes, serial numbers 10002 through 10999 inclusive.
(2) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705)
and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, serial numbers
15001 through 15990 inclusive.
(3) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series
1000) airplanes, serial numbers 19001 through 19990 inclusive.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight
controls.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of erratic pitch movements and
oscillatory behaviors of the elevator control system. We are issuing
this AD to prevent erratic pitch movement and transient
accelerations, which could result in a significant pitch upset, and
injuries to passengers and flightcrew.
(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) Repetitive Replacement of the Bellcrank Supports
For any airplane with bellcrank supports having part numbers
AV670-23350-001 (left side) and AV670-23350-002 (right side), on the
inner rear spar of the horizontal stabilizer: At the applicable time
specified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), or (g)(4) of this AD,
replace the affected bellcrank supports with new bellcrank supports,
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier
Service Bulletin 670BA-27-064, dated December 11, 2012. Repeat the
replacement thereafter at intervals not to exceed 20,000 flight
hours.
(1) For airplanes that have, as of the effective date of this
AD, accumulated 18,000 total flight hours or less: Replace before
the accumulation of 24,600 total flight hours.
[[Page 32581]]
(2) For airplanes that have, as of the effective date of this
AD, accumulated more than 18,000 total flight hours, but 23,400
total flight hours or less: Replace within 6,600 flight hours after
the effective date of this AD.
(3) For airplanes that have, as of the effective date of this
AD, accumulated more than 23,400 total flight hours, but 28,500
total flight hours or less: Replace before the accumulation of
30,000 total flight hours.
(4) For airplanes that have, as of the effective date of this
AD, accumulated more than 28,500 total flight hours: Within 1,500
flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
(h) 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, New York 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.
(i) Related Information
(1) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2013-03,
dated February 5, 2013; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-
064, dated December 11, 2012; for related information.
(2) For service information identified in this 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; 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 22, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-12897 Filed 5-30-13; 8:45 am]
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