Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 185 / Monday, September 24, 2012 / Proposed Rules 58787 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

September 12, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–23431 Filed 9–21–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0997; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–060–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 supersede an 

existing airworthiness directive (AD) 

that applies to certain Bombardier, Inc. 

Model CL–600–2C10 (Regional Jet 

Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, Model 

CL–600–2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) 

airplanes, and Model CL–600–2D24 

(Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. The 

existing AD currently requires repetitive 

inspections of the rudder travel limiter 

(RTL) return springs and primary 

actuator, and corrective actions if 

necessary. Since we issued that AD, 

terminating action has been developed 

which eliminates the need for the 

repetitive inspections. This proposed 

AD would require replacing certain RTL 

return springs, including doing related 

investigative and corrective actions, if 

necessary; and would also revise the 

applicability. We are proposing this AD 

to prevent failure of the RTL, which 

would permit an increase of rudder 

authority beyond normal structural 

limits and consequently affect the 

controllability of the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by November 8, 2012. 

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., 400 Coˆte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, 

Que ́bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 

514–855–5000; fax 514–855–7401; email 

thd.crj@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: 

Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe and Mechanical Systems 

Branch, ANE–171, FAA, New York 

Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 

Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 

New York 11590; telephone (516) 228– 

7318; 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–2012–0997; Directorate Identifier 

2012–NM–060–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 

On January 25, 2011, we issued AD 

2011–03–13, Amendment 39–16597 (76 

FR 6539, February 7, 2011). That AD 

required actions intended to address an 

unsafe condition on the products listed 

above. 

Since we issued AD 2011–03–13, 

Amendment 39–16597 (76 FR 6539, 

February 7, 2011), Transport Canada 

Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the 

airworthiness authority for Canada, has 

issued Canadian Airworthiness 

Directive CF–2010–18R1, dated March 

19, 2012 (referred to after this as ‘‘the 

MCAI’’), to correct an unsafe condition 

for the specified products. The MCAI 

states: 

Rudder Travel Limiter (RTL) return spring, 

part number (P/N) E0650–069–2750S, failed 

prior to completion of the required 

endurance test. In addition, the replacement 

RTL return spring, P/N 670–93465–1 (see 

Note) was found to be susceptible to chafing 

on the primary actuator, which could also 

result in eventual dormant spring failure. 

There are two return springs in the RTL and 

if both springs failed, a subsequent 

mechanical disconnect of the RTL 

components would result in an 

unannunciated failure of the RTL. This, in 

turn, would permit an increase of rudder 

authority beyond normal structural limits 

and, in the event of a strong rudder input, the 

controllability of the aeroplane could be 

affected. 

Note: RTL return springs, P/N 670–93465–1, 

were installed in production aeroplanes 

serial number 10266 (CL–600–2C10) and 

15182 (CL–600–2D24) respectively and were 

introduced in-service by [Bombardier] 

Service Bulletin (SB) 670BA–27–047. 

[Bombardier] SB 670BA–27–047 has since 

been superseded by [Bombardier] SB 670BA– 

27–055. 

This [TCCA] AD mandates repetitive 

[detailed] visual inspection of the RTL [for 

broken] return springs and [damage through 

the casing or chafing of the casing of the] 

primary actuator, [and] replacement of parts 

as necessary. 

This revision mandates the installation of the 

RTL return spring, P/N BA670–93468–1, as a 

terminating action to this [TCCA] AD. 

This proposed AD would expand the 

applicability by adding Model CL–600– 

2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 

702) airplane, serial number 10002. This 

proposed AD would also reduce the 

applicability by removing Model CL– 

600–2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, 

& 702) airplanes serial numbers 10334 

and subsequent; and also removes 

Model CL–600–2D15, serial numbers 

15289 and subsequent. The installation 

consists of replacing certain RTL return 

springs with new springs and doing 

related investigative and corrective 

actions, if necessary. The related 

investigative action is a detailed 

inspection of the casing of the primary 

actuator for signs of chafing or missing 

paint. Corrective actions include 

replacing any broken return spring with 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
58788 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 185 / Monday, September 24, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

a new spring, repairing any chafing of 

the primary actuator on its casing, and 

replacing any primary actuator that has 

damage through its casing with a new 

actuator. You may obtain further 

information by examining the MCAI in 

the AD docket. 

Relevant Service Information 

Bombardier, Inc. has issued Service 

Bulletin 670BA–27–059, Revision A, 

dated March 8, 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. 

Costs of Compliance 

Based on the service information, we 

estimate that this proposed AD would 

affect about 366 products of U.S. 

registry. 

The actions that are required by AD 

2011–03–13, Amendment 39–16597 (76 

FR 6539, February 7, 2011), and 

retained in this proposed AD take about 

2 work-hours per product, at an average 

labor rate of $85 per work hour. Based 

on these figures, the estimated cost of 

the currently required actions is $170 

per product. 

We estimate that it would take about 

8 work-hours per product to comply 

with the new basic requirements of this 

proposed AD. The average labor rate is 

$85 per work-hour. Required parts 

would cost about $1,291 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 $721,386, or $1,971 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by 

removing airworthiness directive (AD) 

2011–03–13, Amendment 39–16597 (76 

FR 6539, February 7, 2011), and adding 

the following new AD: 

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA–2012– 

0997; Directorate Identifier 2012–NM– 

060–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by November 

8, 2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD supersedes AD 2011–03–13, 

Amendment 39–16597 (76 FR 6539, February 

7, 2011). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to the Bombardier, Inc. 

airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and 

(c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category. 

(1) Model CL–600–2C10 (Regional Jet 

Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, serial 

numbers 10002 through 10333 inclusive. 

(2) Model CL–600–2D15 (Regional Jet 

Series 705) airplanes; and Model CL–600– 

2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, 

serial numbers 15001 through 15288 

inclusive. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 27, Flight controls. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by reports of failure 

of the rudder travel limiter (RTL) return 

spring. We are issuing this AD to prevent 

failure of the RTL, which would permit an 

increase of rudder authority beyond normal 

structural limits and consequently affect the 

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) Retained Initial Inspections and 

Replacement/Repair for Certain Airplanes 

This paragraph restates the requirements of 

paragraph (g) of AD 2011–03–13, 

Amendment 39–16597 (76 FR 6539, February 

7, 2011). Except for Model CL–600–2C10 

(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplane, 

serial number 10002, for airplanes that have 

accumulated 4,000 or less total flight hours 

as of March 14, 2011 (the effective date of AD 

2011–03–13): Before the accumulation of 

6,000 total flight hours, do a detailed 

inspection of the RTL for broken return 

springs and damage through the casing, or 

chafing of the casing of the primary actuator, 

in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 

670BA–27–055, Revision A, dated August 6, 

2010. Before further flight, replace any 

broken return springs with new springs, and 

repair or replace with a new actuator any 

chafed or damaged primary actuator, as 

applicable, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 

Service Bulletin 670BA–27–055, Revision A, 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 185 / Monday, September 24, 2012 / Proposed Rules 58789 

dated August 6, 2010. Repeat the inspection 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000 

flight hours. Accomplishment of the actions 

required by paragraph (j) of this AD 

terminates the requirements of this 

paragraph. 

(h) Retained Initial Inspections and 

Replacement/Repair for Certain Higher 

Flight Time Airplanes 

This paragraph restates the requirements of 

paragraph (h) of AD 2011–03–13, 

Amendment 39–16597 (76 FR 6539, February 

7, 2011). Except for Model CL–600–2C10 

(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplane, 

serial number 10002, for airplanes that have 

accumulated more than 4,000 total flight 

hours as of March 14, 2011 (the effective date 

of AD 2011–03–13): Within 2,000 flight hours 

after March 14, 2011 (the effective date of AD 

2011–03–13), do a detailed inspection of the 

RTL for broken return springs and damage 

through the casing, or chafing of the casing 

of the primary actuator, in accordance with 

the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA–27–055, 

Revision A, dated August 6, 2010. Before 

further flight, replace any broken return 

springs with new springs, and repair or 

replace any chafed or damaged primary 

actuator with a new actuator, as applicable, 

in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 

670BA–27–055, Revision A, dated August 6, 

2010. Repeat the inspection thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight hours. 

Accomplishment of the actions required by 

paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the 

requirements of this paragraph. 

(i) New RTL Spring Inspection and 

Replacement for a Certain Airplane 

For Model CL–600–2C10 (Regional Jet 

Series 700, 701, & 702) airplane, serial 

number 10002, at the applicable time 

specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this 

AD: Do a detailed inspection of the RTL for 

broken return springs and damage through 

the casing, or chafing of the casing of the 

primary actuator, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 

Service Bulletin 670BA–27–055, Revision A, 

dated August 6, 2010. Before further flight, 

replace any broken return springs with new 

springs, and repair or replace with a new 

actuator any chafed or damaged primary 

actuator, as applicable, in accordance with 

the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA–27–055, 

Revision A, dated August 6, 2010. Repeat the 

inspection thereafter at intervals not to 

exceed 6,000 flight hours. Accomplishment 

of the applicable actions required by 

paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the 

requirements of this paragraph. 

(1) If the airplane has accumulated 4,000 

or less total flight hours as of the effective 

date of this AD: Before the accumulation of 

6,000 total flight hours. 

(2) If the airplane has accumulated more 

than 4,000 total flight hours as of the 

effective date of this AD: Within 2,000 flight 

hours after the effective date of this AD. 

(j) New RTL Spring Replacement 

At the applicable time specified in 

paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD: Replace 

the RTL return springs with new springs, and 

do all applicable related investigative and 

corrective actions, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 

Service Bulletin 670BA–27–059, Revision A, 

dated March 8, 2012. Do all applicable 

related investigative and corrective actions 

before further flight. Accomplishment of the 

applicable actions required by this paragraph 

terminates the requirements of paragraphs 

(g), (h), and (i) of this AD. 

(1) For airplanes with RTL return springs 

having part number (P/N) 670–93465–1: 

Within 6,000 flight cycles after the effective 

date of this AD. 

(2) For airplanes with RTL return springs 

having P/N E0650–069–2750S: At the 

applicable time specified in paragraph 

(j)(2)(i), (j)(2)(ii), or (j)(2)(iii) of this AD. 

(i) For airplanes with 15,400 total flight 

cycles or more as of the effective date of this 

AD: Within 2,000 flight cycles after the 

effective date of this AD. 

(ii) For airplanes with 5,200 total flight 

cycles or more, but less than 15,400 total 

flight cycles as of the effective date of this 

AD: Within 5,000 flight cycles after the 

effective date of this AD, but not to exceed 

17,400 total flight cycles. 

(iii) For airplanes with less than 5,200 total 

flight cycles as of the effective date of this 

AD: Before accumulating 10,200 total flight 

cycles. 

(k) Credit for Previous Actions 

(1) This paragraph provides credit for the 

actions required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of 

this AD, if those actions were performed 

before March 14, 2011 (the effective date of 

AD 2011–03–13, Amendment 39–16597 (76 

FR 6539, February 7, 2011)), using 

Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA–27–055, 

dated May 11, 2010, which is not 

incorporated by reference in this AD. 

(2) This paragraph provides credit for the 

actions required by paragraph (j) of this AD, 

if those actions were performed before the 

effective date of this AD using Bombardier 

Service Bulletin 670BA–27–059, dated 

October 12, 2011, which is not incorporated 

by reference in this AD. 

(l) 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. Send information 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. AMOCs approved previously in 

accordance with AD 2011–03–13, 

Amendment 39–16597 (76 FR 6539, February 

7, 2011), are approved as AMOCs for 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. 

(m) Related Information 

(1) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness 

Directive CF–2010–18R1, dated March 19, 

2012, and the following service information, 

for related information. 

(i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA–27– 

059, Revision A, dated March 8, 2012. 

(ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA– 

27–055, Revision A, dated August 6, 2010. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 CoˆteVertu Road West, Dorval, Que ́bec H4S 1Y9, 

Canada; telephone 514–855–5000; fax 514– 

855–7401; email 

thd.crj@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 

September 11, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–23432 Filed 9–21–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0999; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–049–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Airbus Model A330–200 Freighter series 

airplanes, Model A330–200 series 

airplanes, Model A330–300 series 

airplanes, Model A340–200 series 

airplanes, and Model A340–300 series 

airplanes. This proposed AD was 

prompted by a report of an in-flight turn 

back after the nose landing gear (NLG) 

did not retract after take-off. This 

proposed AD would require repetitive 

overhaul of the NLG retraction actuator. 

We are proposing this AD to prevent 

failure of the retraction actuator, which 

could cause collapse of the NLG after 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS