[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 200 (Monday, October 18, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56161-56163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26866]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-324-AD; Amendment 39-11373; AD 99-21-27]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-311 and -315
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-311 and -315 series
airplanes, that currently requires replacement of the nitrogen cylinder
assemblies that inflate the airplane's ditching dams with improved
nitrogen cylinder assemblies. This amendment expands the applicability
of the existing AD. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness
authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
failure of the ditching dams to inflate fully during an emergency water
landing, which could result in water entering the airplane.
DATES: Effective November 22, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B.
8-25-122, dated October 10, 1997, listed in the regulations, was
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of July
8, 1998 (63 FR 30121, June 3, 1998).
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division,
Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. This information
may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York
Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley
Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra Sasson, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street,
Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7520;
fax (516) 568-2716.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 98-11-25,
amendment 39-10550 (63 FR 30121, June 3, 1998), which is applicable to
certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-311 and -315 series airplanes, was
published in the Federal Register on August 12, 1999 (64 FR 43959). The
action proposed to supersede AD 98-11-25 to continue to require
replacement of the nitrogen cylinder assemblies that inflate the
airplane's ditching dams with improved nitrogen cylinder assemblies.
That action also proposed to expand the applicability of the existing
AD.
[[Page 56162]]
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 2 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be
affected by this AD.
The replacement that is currently required by AD 98-11-25, and
retained in this AD, will take approximately 4 work hours per airplane
to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required
parts will be provided by the manufacturer of the nitrogen cylinder
assembly at no cost to the operator. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the replacement currently required on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $480, or $240 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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.
Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is
determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) Is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-10550 (63 FR
30121, June 3, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD),
amendment 39-11373, to read as follows:
99-21-27 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment
39-11373. Docket 98-NM-324-AD. Supersedes AD 98-11-25, Amendment 39-
10550.
Applicability: Model DHC-8-311 and -315 series airplanes in the
medium and high gross weight configuration, on which Bombardier
Change Request CR803SO00001, CR803SO00001-1, CR803SO00002,
CR803SO00002-1, CR803CH00046, CR803CH00079, CR803CH00105,
CR825CH00847, or CR803CH00051 has been incorporated; certificated in
any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the ditching dams to inflate fully during
an emergency water landing, which could result in water entering the
airplane, accomplish the following:
Restatement of the Requirements of AD 98-11-25, Amendment 39-10550
(a) For airplanes in the medium and high gross weight
configuration, on which Bombardier Change Request CR803SO00001,
CR803SO00002, CR803CH00046, CR803CH00079, CR803CH00105,
CR825CH00847, or CR803CH00051 has been incorporated: Within 6 months
after July 8, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-11-25), replace the
existing nitrogen cylinder assembly on the ditching dams with a new
nitrogen cylinder assembly that incorporates an improved valve
assembly (reference de Havilland Modification 8/3154), in accordance
with de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-25-122, dated October 10,
1997.
(b) For airplanes in the medium and high gross weight
configuration, on which Bombardier Change Request CR803SO00001,
CR803SO00002, CR803CH00046, CR803CH00079, CR803CH00105,
CR825CH00847, or CR803CH00051 has been incorporated: As of July 8,
1998, no person shall install on any airplane any nitrogen cylinder
assembly having part number (P/N) 410870(BSC) or 410870-1.
New Requirements of This AD
Replacement
(c) For airplanes other than those identified in paragraph (a)
of this AD: Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the existing nitrogen cylinder assembly on the ditching dams
with a new nitrogen cylinder assembly having P/N 410870-3 or -5,
that incorporates an improved valve assembly (reference de Havilland
Modification 8/3154), in accordance with de Havilland Service
Bulletin S.B. 8-25-122, dated October 10, 1997.
Spares
(d) For airplanes other than those identified in paragraph (a)
of this AD: As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall
install on any airplane any nitrogen cylinder assembly having P/N
410870(BSC) or 410870-1.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, New York ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the New York ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Incorporation by Reference
(g) The replacement shall be done in accordance with de
Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-25-122, dated October 10, 1997.
This incorporation by reference was approved previously by the
Director of the Federal Register as of July 8, 1998 (63 FR 30121,
June 3, 1998). Copies may be obtained from Bombardier, Inc.,
Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, Garratt Boulevard,
[[Page 56163]]
Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. Copies may be inspected at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New
York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor,
Valley Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal Register,
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-97-21R1, dated July 22, 1998.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on November 22, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 7, 1999.
D. L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26866 Filed 10-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U