[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 11, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75291-75293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29513]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-1025; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-096-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-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes;
and DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by a report of a beta warning horn (BWH) system failing to
activate when the beta mode was triggered. This proposed AD would
require modifying the BWH microswitch installation. We are proposing
this AD to prevent the inadvertent activation of ground beta mode
during flight, which could lead to engine overspeed, engine damage or
failure, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 27,
2014.
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 view this 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.
[[Page 75292]]
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, 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: Kent Fredrickson, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion and Flight Test Branch, ANE-173, FAA; New York Aircraft
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New
York 11590; telephone 516-228-7364; 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-2013-1025;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-096-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-
2012-01R1, dated March 6, 2013 (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:
* * * * *
During an on-ground Beta Warning Horn (BWH) system check
conducted in the wake of an in-flight Beta range operation incident
on a DHC-8 Series 200 aeroplane, it was discovered that the BWH
system failed to activate when the Beta mode was triggered.
An investigation by Bombardier had determined that the
deformation of the flexible center console cover could cause the BWH
system triggering microswitch to malfunction, resulting in dormant
failure of the BWH system. To mitigate the safety risk by minimizing
the risk exposure period, [TCCA] * * * mandate[d] a 50 hours
periodic operational test of the BWH system functionality.
To address the root cause of the subject problem, Bombardier has
issued Service Bulletin (SB) 8-76-33 that modifies the BWH
microswitch installation by replacing the BWH microswitch attachment
bracket with a new, more robust bracket that is not affected by
deformation of the center console cover. [TCCA] AD CF-2012-01 is
therefore revised to mandate compliance with SB 8-76-33 as
terminating action for the 50 hours periodic operational test
requirement.
The unsafe condition is the inadvertent activation of ground beta mode
during flight, which could lead to engine overspeed, engine damage or
failure, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. You
may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-
2013-1025.
Relevant Service Information
Bombardier, Inc., has issued Service Bulletin 8-76-33, dated
December 13, 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.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service
Information
Although the MCAI includes an operational test of the BWH system,
this proposed AD does not require that action. Once the actions
required by this AD are done, the modification of the BWH microswitch
installation adequately addresses the identified unsafe condition.
Also, AD 2005-13-35, Amendment 39-14172 (70 FR 48854, August 22, 2005),
for all Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-100, DHC-8-200, and DHC-8-300
series airplanes, includes a requirement for certain airplanes to
perform operational checks of the beta lockout system. This difference
has been coordinated with TCCA.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 94 airplanes of U.S.
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification...................... 7 work-hours x $85 per $117 $712 $66,928
hour = $595.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
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
[[Page 75293]]
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.
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-2013-1025; Directorate Identifier
2013-NM-096-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by January 27, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-102, -103, -
106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes; certificated in any
category; serial numbers 003 through 672 inclusive with a beta
warning horn (BWH) (Mod 8/2852) incorporated; except for airplanes
that have incorporated Bombardier option CR873CH00003, CR873CH00005,
CR873SOO8112, or MS8Q902206.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 31, Instruments;
Code 76, Engine Controls.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of a BWH system failing to
activate when the beta mode was triggered. We are issuing this AD to
prevent the inadvertent activation of ground beta mode during
flight, which could lead to engine overspeed, engine damage or
failure, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Terminating Modification
Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first,
after the effective date of this AD: Modify the BWH microswitch
installation by replacing the existing BWH microswitch installation
bracket with a new bracket having part number 87610164-003, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier
Service Bulletin 8-76-33, dated December 13, 2012.
(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, 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, use these actions if they
are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if
they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its
delegated agent, or by the Design Approval Holder with a State of
Design Authority's design organization approval). For a repair
method to be approved, the repair approval must specifically refer
to this AD. You are required to ensure the product is airworthy
before it is returned to service.
(i) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2012-01R1, dated March 6,
2013, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-1025.
(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 view copies of this 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 November 29, 2013.
Johm P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-29513 Filed 12-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P