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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 214 (Monday, November 5, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66413-66415]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26940]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1155; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-115-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-8-400 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports of chafing found on the main 
landing gear (MLG) yoke. The chafing was attributed to contact between 
the nacelle fire detection wires and the MLG yoke. This proposed AD 
would require inspections of the nacelle fire detection wires and the 
MLG yoke for damage; replacing nacelle fire detection wires, if 
necessary; repairing the MLG yoke, if necessary; and installing new 
brackets and associated hardware to secure the fire detection wires. We 
are proposing this AD to prevent chafing between the nacelle fire 
detection wires and the MLG yoke. Chafing could lead to cracking and 
subsequent failure of the MLG yoke, which could adversely affect the 
safe landing of the airplane. In addition, chafing of the nacelle fire 
detection wires could cause them to fail and prevent the detection of a 
fire in the nacelle assembly.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 20, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above 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 thd.qseries@aero.bombardier.com; 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, Washington. 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 Services Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 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 proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-1155; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-115-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 because of 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-
2012-15, dated April 30, 2012 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), 
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    There have been two (2) in-service reports of chafing found on 
the main landing gear (MLG) yoke. The chafing was attributed to 
contact between the nacelle fire detection wire and the MLG yoke. 
This chafing may lead to cracking and subsequent failure of the MLG 
yoke.
    Failure of the MLG yoke could adversely affect the safe landing 
of the aeroplane. In addition, failure of the fire detection wire 
could prevent the detection of a fire in the nacelle assembly.
    This [Canadian] Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandates the 
[detailed] inspection of the nacelle fire detection wires and 
[detailed inspection of the] MLG yoke for damage [chafing, nicks, 
cracking] and the installation of new brackets to secure the fire 
detection wire to prevent chafing against the MLG yoke [and 
corrective actions if necessary].

Corrective actions include replacing damaged wires with new wires and 
repairing the MLG yoke. You may obtain further information by examining 
the MCAI in the AD docket.

[[Page 66414]]

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued Service Bulletin 84-26-11, Revision A, 
dated January 25, 2012. The actions described in this service bulletin 
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 specifies to contact the manufacturer for 
instructions to repair certain conditions, this proposed AD would 
require repairing those conditions using a method approved by either 
the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, 
FAA; or TCCA (or its delegated agent).

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 80 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 3 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 $332 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 $46,960, or $587 per product.

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, 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

    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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2012-1155; Directorate Identifier 
2012-NM-115-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 20, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -
402 airplanes; certificated in any category; serial numbers 4001 
through 4382 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 26, Fire protection.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of chafing found on the main 
landing gear (MLG) yoke. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing 
between the nacelle fire detection wires and the MLG yoke. Chafing 
could lead to cracking and subsequent failure of the MLG yoke, which 
could adversely affect the safe landing of the airplane. In 
addition, chafing of the nacelle fire detection wires could cause 
them to fail and prevent the detection of a fire in the nacelle 
assembly.

(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) Inspections and Installation

    Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, accomplish the actions specified 
in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 
84-26-11, Revision A, dated January 25, 2012.
    (1) Do a detailed inspection of the left and right nacelle fire 
detection wires for damage (i.e., chafing), in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-26-11, 
Revision A, dated January 25, 2012. If damage is found on any 
nacelle fire detection wire: Before further flight, remove and 
replace the damaged wire with a new wire, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-26-11, 
Revision A, dated January 25, 2012.
    (2) Do a detailed inspection of the MLG yoke for damage (e.g., 
chafing, nicks, cracking).
    (i) If any damage is found within the limitations specified in 
Figure 8 of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-26-11, Revision A, dated 
January 25, 2012: Before further flight, repair the MLG yoke, in 
accordance with Figure 9, steps 1 through 10, of Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 84-26-11, Revision A, dated January 25, 2012.
    (ii) If any damage exceeds the limitations specified in Figure 8 
of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-26-11, Revision A, dated January

[[Page 66415]]

25, 2012: Before further flight, repair the MLG yoke using a method 
approved by either the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), ANE-170, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (or 
its delegated agent). The approved repair must specifically 
reference this AD.
    (3) Install new brackets and associated hardware, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 
84-26-11, Revision A, dated January 25, 2012.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD, if those actions 
were performed before the effective date of this AD using Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-26-11, dated December 19, 2011.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York 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 assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2012-15, 
dated April 30, 2012; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-26-11, 
Revision A, dated January 25, 2012; for related information.
    (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 thd.qseries@aero.bombardier.com; 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, Washington. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 24, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-26940 Filed 11-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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