[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 27, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57798-57800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28082]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-166-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600),
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-
604) Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-
1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-
601-3R, and CL-604) series airplanes. For certain airplanes, this
proposal would require removing the hydraulic tube assemblies from the
main landing gear (MLG) bay, installing new re-routed hydraulic tube
assemblies, and repositioning a fuel line, as applicable. For certain
other airplanes, this proposal would require a general visual
inspection to determine the routing of certain hydraulic and fuel
lines, and repair, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by issuance
of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to prevent damage to hydraulic and fuel lines resulting from
failure of an MLG, which could cause a fire in the MLG wheel well.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 26, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-166-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box
6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. This
information may be examined 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James E. Delisio, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street,
Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7521;
fax (516) 568-2716.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NM-166-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 99-NM-166-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness
authority for Canada, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on certain Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12
(CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) series
airplanes. TCCA advises that a hard landing during touch-and-go
training resulted in an in-flight separation of a main landing gear
(MLG) from a Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) series airplane. This
separation caused the rupture of hydraulic and fuel lines in the main
wheel well area, which resulted in an in-flight fire. Investigation
revealed that certain hydraulic and fuel lines are located such that
separation of an MLG could cause damage to these hydraulic and fuel
lines. This condition, if not corrected, could result in a fire in the
MLG wheel well.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 600-0671, dated August 4,
1997 [for Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes], which describes
procedures for removing the five existing hydraulic tube assemblies
from the main landing gear bay, installing six new re-routed hydraulic
tube assemblies, and repositioning of a fuel line.
Bombardier also has issued Service Bulletin No. 601-0482, dated
April 15, 1997, [Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A
and
[[Page 57799]]
-3R)], which describes procedures for removing five existing hydraulic
tube assemblies from the main landing gear bay and replacing them with
six new re-routed assemblies.
Bombardier also has issued Service Bulletin 604-29-001, dated
December 20, 1996 [for Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series airplanes],
which describes procedures for performing a general visual inspection
of the routing of the hydraulic lines in the main landing gear bay, and
contacting the manufacturer for modification instructions, if
necessary.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. TCCA
classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-99-14, dated May 7, 1999, in order to assure
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in Canada and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, TCCA has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of
TCCA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletins described previously,
except as discussed below.
Differences Between Proposed Rule and Relevant Service Information
Operators should note that, although Bombardier Service Bulletin
604-29-001, dated December 20, 1996, specifies that the manufacturer
may be contacted for disposition of certain hydraulic and fuel line
routing conditions, this proposal would require the modification of
those conditions to be accomplished in accordance with a method
approved by the FAA.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 249 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
The FAA estimates that 231 Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12
(CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and -3R) series airplanes would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 20 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators of these airplanes is
estimated to be $277,200, or $1,200 per airplane.
The FAA estimates that 18 Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series
airplanes would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed
inspection. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD
on U.S. operators of these airplanes is estimated to be $1,080, or $60
per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair):
Docket 99-NM-166-AD.
Applicability: Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes,
serial numbers 1004 through 1085 inclusive; Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-
601) series airplanes, serial numbers 3001 through 3066 inclusive;
Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) series
airplanes, serial numbers 5001 through 5194 inclusive, and 5301
through 5317 inclusive; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
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 (b) 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 damage to hydraulic and fuel lines resulting from
failure of a main landing gear (MLG), which could cause a fire in
the MLG wheel well, accomplish the following:
Inspection and Modification
(a) Within 300 landings or 12 months after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs first, accomplish the actions in paragraph
(a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this AD, as applicable.
(1) For Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes: Remove the
five existing hydraulic tube assemblies from the MLG bay, install
six new re-routed hydraulic tube assemblies, and reposition a fuel
line, in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 600-0671, dated
August 4, 1997.
(2) For Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A
and -3R) series
[[Page 57800]]
airplanes: Remove the five existing hydraulic tube assemblies from
the MLG bay, and install six new re-routed hydraulic tube
assemblies, in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 601-0482,
dated April 15, 1997.
(3) For Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series airplanes: Perform a
general visual inspection of the routing of the hydraulic and fuel
lines in the MLG bay in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin
604-29-001, dated December 20, 1996.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure,
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting,
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''
(i) If all hydraulic lines are routed in accordance with the
service bulletin, no further action is required by this paragraph.
(ii) If any hydraulic line is not routed in accordance with the
service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with
a method approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) 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 ACO. 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 3: 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
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-99-14, dated May 7, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 21, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-28082 Filed 10-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U