[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 28, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53080-53083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20968]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0703; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-004-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 DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301,
-311, and -315 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a
report of a pilot commanding an in-flight engine shut down in response
to a low oil pressure warning indication. Further investigation
revealed the mounting studs in the engine mounted alternating current
(AC) generator mounting plate were pulled out of position and the
threaded interface in the plate was corroded. This proposed AD would
require repetitive inspections for discrepancies on certain AC
generator mounting adapters, and replacing discrepant adapters with
serviceable ones. This proposed AD would also require revising the
maintenance program to incorporate a repetitive task specified in
certain temporary revisions. We are proposing this AD to detect and
correct corrosion in the AC generator mounting plate, which could
result in a gap between the AC generator and the generator mounting
plate, and cause loss of engine oil and consequent engine failure.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 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., 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: Assata Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer,
Avionics and Flight Test Branch, ANE-
[[Page 53081]]
172, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue,
Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7301; 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-2013-0703;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-004-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-
2012-29, dated November 22, 2012 (referred to after this as the
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI
states:
An incident has been reported on the DHC-8 aeroplane of a pilot
commanded in-flight engine shut down in response to a[n] engine low
oil pressure warning indication.
Further investigation revealed the mounting studs in the engine
mounted AC generator mounting plate were pulled out of position and
the threaded interface in the plate corroded. This resulted in a gap
between the AC generator and the generator mounting plate, leading
to the loss of engine oil and the ensuing illumination of the
associated engine low oil pressure warning indication.
To ensure the integrity of the affected units, Part I of this
[TCCA] AD mandates an [general visual and mechanical] inspection of
the affected AC generator mounting adapters part numbers (P/N)
31708-500 or 31708-501, and, as applicable, replacement with new or
serviceable mounting plates.
Part II of this [TCCA] AD mandates the incorporation of a repeat
Maintenance Review Board (MRB) inspection applicable to the
replacement of the AC generator mounting adapters P/Ns 31708-510 or
31708-511 only.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued the following service information:
Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-24-88, dated December 13,
2011.
de Havilland Dash 8 Series 100 Temporary Revision MRB-153,
dated July 10, 2012, Part 1 Section 2-Systems, of the de Havilland Dash
8 Series 100 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-8-7 MRB Report.
de Havilland Dash 8 Series 200 Temporary Revision MRB 2-
31, dated July 10, 2012, Part 1 Section 2-Systems of the de Havilland
Dash 8 Series 200 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-82-7 MRB Report.
de Havilland Dash 8 Series 300 Temporary Revision MRB 3-
162, dated July 10, 2012, Part 1 Section 2-Systems of the de Havilland
Dash 8 Series 300 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-83-7 MRB Report.
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 AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance
documents to include new actions (e.g., 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 actions, 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 (j)(1) of this
AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required
inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the
airplane.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 88 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 5 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 $4,000 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 $389,400, or $4,425 per product.
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.
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,
[[Page 53082]]
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-2013-0703; Directorate Identifier
2013-NM-004-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by October 15, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106,
-201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes; certificated in
any category; serial numbers 019 through 672 inclusive.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical
Power.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of a pilot commanding an in-
flight engine shut down in response to a low oil pressure warning
indication. Further investigation revealed the mounting studs in the
engine mounted alternating current (AC) generator mounting plate
were pulled out of position and the threaded interface in the plate
corroded. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion in
the AC generator mounting plate, which could result in a gap between
the AC generator and the generator mounting plate, and cause loss of
engine oil and consequent engine failure.
(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) Inspection and Removal of AC Generator Mounting Adaptor
Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months or when the AC generator
is removed for service, whichever occurs first, after the effective
date of this AD: Do a general visual inspection and a mechanical
inspection for discrepancies (i.e., damage, corrosion, and failed
mechanical inspection) on AC generator mounting adapters having P/N
31708-500 and P/N 31708-501, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-24-88, dated December
13, 2011. If any discrepancy (i.e., damage, corrosion, or failed
mechanical inspection) is found, before further flight replace the
AC generator mounting adapter with a serviceable mounting adapter
having P/N 31708-510, P/N 31708-511, P/N 31708-500, or 31708-501, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier
Service Bulletin 8-24-88, dated December 13, 2011.
(1) For in-service mounting adapters that have P/N 31708-500 or
P/N 31708-501, repeat the general visual and mechanical inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight hours or 36
months after the most recent inspection or when the AC generator is
removed for service, whichever occurs first.
(2) For airplanes having AC generator mounting adapters that
have P/N 31708-500 or 31708-501: Within the later of the times
specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (g)(2)(ii) of this AD, replace
the AC generator mounting adapter with a new AC generator mounting
adapter having P/N 31708-510 or 31708-511.
(i) Before the accumulation of 120 months on the part.
(ii) Within 12 months or 2,000 flight hours or when the
generator is removed from service, whichever occurs first, after the
effective date of the AD.
(h) Airplane Maintenance Program Revision
For airplanes having AC generator mounting adapters that have P/
N 31708-510 or 31708-511: Within 30 days after the effective date of
this AD, revise the airplane maintenance program by incorporating
MRB Task 2420/14 in the applicable maintenance program manual
specified in paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), or (h)(3) of this AD. The
initial compliance time for MRB Task 2420/14 is prior to the
accumulation of 10,000 total flight hours or within 60 months since
installation of the part, whichever occurs first.
(1) For Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes: de Havilland
Dash 8 Series 100 Temporary Revision MRB-153, dated July 10, 2012,
Part 1 Section 2--Systems, of the de Havilland Dash 8 Series 100
Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-8-7 MRB Report.
(2) For Model DHC-8-201 and -202 airplanes: de Havilland Dash 8
Series 200 Temporary Revision MRB 2-31, dated July 10, 2012, Part 1
Section 2--Systems of the de Havilland Dash 8 Series 200 Maintenance
Program Manual PSM 1-82-7 MRB Report.
(3) For Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -315 airplanes: de Havilland
Dash 8 Series 300 Temporary Revision MRB 3-162, dated July 10, 2012,
Part 1 Section 2--Systems of the de Havilland Dash 8 Series 300
Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-83-7 MRB Report.
(i) No Alternative Actions or Intervals
After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (h) of
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may
be used, unless the actions and intervals are approved as an AMOC in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j)(1) of 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, 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 ensure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(k) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2012-29, dated November
22, 2012, and the service information specified in paragraphs
(l)(1)(i) through (l)(1)(iv) of this AD, for related information.
(i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-24-88, dated December 13,
2011.
(ii) de Havilland Dash 8 Series 100 Temporary Revision MRB-153,
dated July 10, 2012, Part 1 Section 2-Systems, of the de Havilland
Dash 8 Series 100 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-8-7 MRB Report.
(iii) de Havilland Dash 8 Series 200 Temporary Revision MRB 2-
31, dated July 10, 2012, Part 1 Section 2-Systems of the de
Havilland Dash 8 Series 200 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-82-7
MRB Report.
(iv) de Havilland Dash 8 Series 300 Temporary Revision MRB 3-
162, dated July 10, 2012, Part 1 Section 2-Systems of the de
Havilland Dash 8 Series 300 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-83-7
MRB Report.
(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];
[[Page 53083]]
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 August 21, 2013.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-20968 Filed 8-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P