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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 67 (Tuesday, April 8, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19299-19301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-07800]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0188; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-157-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 two in-service incidents where 
one side of the main landing gear (MLG) did not achieve down-lock. This 
proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of the apex joints of 
the stabilizer brace lock link in the MLG for clearance; rectifying and 
repairing the clearance gap, if necessary; and lubricating the apex 
joints of the stabilizer brace lock link in the MLG. We are proposing 
this AD to detect and correct insufficiently greased stabilizer brace 
lock linkage of the MLG and over-torqued lock linkage attachment bolts, 
which could lead to the failure to extend and down-lock the MLG, and 
could affect the safe landing of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 23, 2014.

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 view this service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0188; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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: Luke Walker, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone (516) 228-7363; 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-2014-0188; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-157-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.

[[Page 19300]]

    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

    The Transport Canada Civil Aviation, which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2013-19, dated July 18, 2013 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    There have been two reported in-service incidents where one side 
of the main landing gear (MLG) did not achieve down-lock resulting 
in a gear unsafe indication. In both cases, the MLG was ultimately 
extended and down-lock was achieved through the use of the alternate 
extension system or by cycling the MLG. The investigation revealed 
that in both cases, the MLG stabilizer brace lock linkages were 
insufficiently greased and the lock linkage attachment bolts were 
over-torqued.
    Failure to extend and down-lock the MLG could adversely affect 
the safe landing of the aeroplane.
    This [TCCA] AD mandates the [detailed] inspection, rectification 
[and repair the clearance gap] as required, and lubrication of both 
MLG stabilizer brace lock link apex joints.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0188.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued Service Bulletin 84-32-121, dated May 
27, 2013. 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.

Repair Approvals

    In many FAA transport ADs, when the service information specifies 
to contact the manufacturer for further instructions if certain 
discrepancies are found, we typically include in the AD a requirement 
to accomplish the action using a method approved by either the FAA or 
the State of Design Authority (or its delegated agent). We have 
recently been notified that certain laws in other countries do not 
allow such delegation of authority, but some countries do recognize 
design approval organizations. In addition, we have become aware that 
some U.S. operators have used repair instructions that were previously 
approved by a State of Design Authority or a Design Approval Holder 
(DAH) as a method of compliance with this provision in FAA ADs. 
Frequently, in these cases, the previously approved repair instructions 
come from the airplane structural repair manual or the DAH repair 
approval statements that were not specifically developed to address the 
unsafe condition corrected by the AD. Using repair instructions that 
were not specifically approved for a particular AD creates the 
potential for doing repairs that were not developed to address the 
unsafe condition identified by the MCAI AD, the FAA AD, or the 
applicable service information, which could result in the unsafe 
condition not being fully corrected.
    To prevent the use of repairs that were not specifically developed 
to correct the unsafe condition, certain requirements of this proposed 
AD would require that the repair approval specifically refer to the FAA 
AD. This change is intended to clarify the method of compliance and to 
provide operators with better visibility of repairs that are 
specifically developed and approved to correct the unsafe condition. In 
addition, we use the phrase ``its delegated agent, or the DAH with 
State of Design Authority design organization approval, as applicable'' 
in this proposed AD to refer to a DAH authorized to approve certain 
required repairs for this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 75 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
             Action                       Labor cost              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection and Lubrication.....  $3 work-hours x $85 per hour              $0             $255          $19,125
                                  = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
AD.

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

[[Page 19301]]

    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.

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

0
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]

0
2. Amend Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2014-0188; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NM-157-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 23, 2014.

(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 4454 inclusive.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of two in-service incidents 
where one side of the main landing gear (MLG) did not achieve down-
lock. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct insufficiently 
greased stabilizer brace lock linkage of the MLG and over-torqued 
lock linkage attachment bolts, which could lead to the failure to 
extend and down-lock the MLG, and could affect the safe landing of 
the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection

    Within 1,000 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a detailed inspection of the 
apex joints of the stabilizer brace lock link in the main landing 
gear (MLG) for clearance, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-121, dated May 27, 
2013.
    (1) If the clearance gap is 0.001 inches (0.025 millimeters) or 
greater, do the action in paragraph (h) of this AD at the time 
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (2) If the clearance gap is less than 0.001 inches (0.025 
millimeters), before further flight, rectify the clearance gap, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-32-121, dated May 27, 2013; and do the action in 
paragraph (h) of this AD at the time specified in paragraph (h) of 
this AD. If the clearance gap cannot be rectified in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-
32-121, dated May 27, 2013: Before further flight, repair using a 
method approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), ANE-170, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation 
(TCCA) (or its delegated agent, or the Design Approval Holder with 
TCCA's design organization approval, as applicable). For a repair 
method to be approved, the repair approval must specifically refer 
to this AD. After the repair is done, do the action in paragraph (h) 
of this AD at the time specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.

    Note 1 to paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD:  Completion of the 
actions in this AD does not affect the actions specified in the 
existing maintenance review board (MRB) task number 320001-201.

(h) Lubrication

    Within 1,000 flight hours or 6 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Lubricate the apex joints of the 
stabilizer brace lock link in the MLG, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-
121, dated May 27, 2013.

(i) 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, NY 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, use these actions if they 
are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if 
they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its 
delegated agent, or the DAH with a State of Design Authority's 
design organization approval, as applicable). You are required to 
ensure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2013-19, dated July 31, 
2013, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. This MCAI may 
be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0188.
    (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 view this service information at 
the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 28, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-07800 Filed 4-7-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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