[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13528-13530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04822]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0798; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-087-AD;
Amendment 39-17796; AD 2014-05-23]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-100-1A10 (Challenger 300) airplanes. This AD
was prompted by multiple reports of erratic electrical status
indications on the push button annunciators and the engine instrument
and crew alerting system. Certain of those reported incidents resulted
in the airplane experiencing a momentary loss of electrical power and
loss of flight displays. This AD requires modification of the direct
current power centers. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of
electrical power, which could result in the loss of flight displays and
reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective April 15, 2014.
[[Page 13529]]
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 15,
2014.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2013-0798; or in person at the
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
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 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Assata Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; telephone (516) 228-7301; fax (516) 794-5531.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Bombardier, Inc.
Model BD-100-1A10 (Challenger 300) airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on September 25, 2013 (78 FR 58965). The NPRM was
prompted by multiple reports of erratic electrical status indications
on the push button annunciators and the engine instrument and crew
alerting system. Certain of those reported incidents resulted in the
airplane experiencing a momentary loss of electrical power and loss of
flight displays. The NPRM proposed to require modification of the
direct current power centers. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of
electrical power, which could result in the loss of flight displays and
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2013-05, dated February 22, 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:
There have been multiple in-service reports of erratic
electrical status indications on the Push Button Annunciators (PBA)
and the Engine Instrument & Crew Alerting System (EICAS) while on-
ground and during flight. Three of those reported incidents resulted
in the aeroplane experiencing momentary loss of electrical power and
loss of flight displays.
The investigation revealed that improper insertion of a Printed
Circuit Board (PCB) in a Direct Current Power Center (DCPC) may lead
to erroneous electrical status indications on the PBAs and EICAS.
The erroneous indications could mislead the pilots into turning off
active generators and leading to partial or complete loss of
electrical power. Loss of electrical power could result in the loss
of flight displays and reduced controllability of the aeroplane.
Further investigation determined that the design of the existing
DCPC covers does not ensure that the PCBs will remain inserted into
the motherboard of the DCPC.
This [TCCA] AD mandates the modification of each DCPC to ensure
that properly closed covers will retain the PCBs within the
motherboards.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0798-0001.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 58965, September
25, 2013) or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (78 FR 58965, September 25, 2013) for correcting the unsafe
condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 58965, September 25, 2013).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 92 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 7 work-hours per product
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $1,568 per
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on
U.S. operators to be $198,996, or $2,163 per product.
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this 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 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 AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2013-0798; or in person at the
Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any
[[Page 13530]]
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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:
2014-05-23 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-17796. Docket No. FAA-
2013-0798; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-087-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 15,
2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-100-1A10
(Challenger 300) airplanes, certificated in any category, serial
numbers 20003 and subsequent.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical
power.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by multiple reports of erratic electrical
status indications on the push button annunciators and the engine
instrument and crew alerting system. Certain of those reported
incidents resulted in the airplane experiencing a momentary loss of
electrical power and loss of flight displays. We are issuing this AD
to prevent loss of electrical power, which could result in the loss
of flight displays and reduced controllability of the airplane.
(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) Direct Current Power Centers (DCPC) Modification
For airplanes having serial numbers 20003 through 20405
inclusive: Within 800 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD or within 24 months after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first, modify the left-hand DCPC, right-hand DCPC,
and auxiliary DCPC, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-24-23, dated
November 26, 2012.
(h) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
DCPC having a part number specified in paragraphs (h)(1) through
(h)(9) of this AD on any airplane, unless the DCPC serial number has
a suffix ``R'' beside the serial number.
(1) 970GC02Y04.
(2) 970GC02Y05.
(3) 970GC02Y06.
(4) 975GC02Y04.
(5) 975GC02Y05.
(6) 975GC02Y06.
(7) 320GC03Y04.
(8) 320GC03Y05.
(9) 320GC03Y06.
(i) 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.
(j) Related Information
Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI)
Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2013-05, dated February 22,
2013, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0798-0001.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-24-23, dated November 26,
2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) 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.
(4) You may view this 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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 26, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04822 Filed 3-10-14; 8:45 am]
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