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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 14 (Monday, January 23, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3189-3191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1210]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0036; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-142-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 test reports showing that failure of a 
retract port flexible hose of a main landing gear (MLG) retraction 
actuator could cause excessive hydraulic fluid leakage. This proposed 
AD would require a detailed inspection for defects and damage of the 
retract port flexible hose on the left and right MLG retraction 
actuator, and replacement of the flexible hose if needed. We are 
proposing this AD to detect and correct defects and damage of the 
retract port flexible hose which could lead to an undamped extension of 
the MLG and could result in MLG structural failure, leading to an 
unsafe asymmetric landing configuration.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 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., 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: 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-2012-0036; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-142-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

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2011-14, dated June 17, 2011 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), 
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    Testing has shown that in the event of a main landing gear (MLG) 
retraction actuator retract port flexible hose failure, in-flight 
vibrations may cause excessive hydraulic fluid leakage. This could 
potentially lead to an undamped extension of the MLG, which

[[Page 3190]]

may result in MLG structural failure, leading to an unsafe 
asymmetric landing configuration.
    This [TCCA] directive mandates the [detailed] inspection of the 
retract port flexible hose [for defects and damage] and its 
replacement [installing a new retract port flexible hose], when 
required, to prevent damage to the MLG caused by undamped gear 
extensions.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued Service Bulletin 84-32-89, dated March 
22, 2011. 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 81 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $6,885, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 4 work-hours and require parts costing $0, for a cost of 
$340 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products 
that may need these actions.

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 AD:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2012-0036; Directorate Identifier 
2011-NM-142-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 8, 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 and 
subsequent.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by test reports showing that failure of a 
retract port flexible hose of a main landing gear (MLG) retraction 
actuator could cause excessive hydraulic fluid leakage. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct defects and damage of the 
retract port flexible hose which could lead to an undamped extension 
of the MLG and could result in MLG structural failure, leading to an 
unsafe asymmetric landing configuration.

(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) Actions

    Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, do 
a detailed inspection for defects and damage of the retract port 
flexible hose of the left and right MLG retraction actuators, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-32-89, dated March 22, 2011. Repeat the 
inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours. 
If any defect or damage is found, before further flight, replace the 
retract port flexible hose with a new or serviceable retract port 
flexible hose in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-89, dated March 22, 2011.

(h) 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, 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

[[Page 3191]]

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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2011-14, dated 
June 17, 2011; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-89, dated March 
22, 2011; for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington on January 13, 2012.
John Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-1210 Filed 1-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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