[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 235 (Monday, December 8, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64519-64521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31968]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-286-AD; Amendment 39-10235; AD 97-25-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 Series 
Airplanes Modified in Accordance With Supplemental Type Certificate 
(STC) SA6003NM

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 series airplanes. 
This action requires disabling the remote fuel/defuel panel in the 
cockpit. This action also provides for an optional modification of the 
remote fuel/defuel panel, which would terminate the requirement to 
disable the panel. This amendment is prompted by reports of in-flight 
failure of the panel that resulted when a circuit breaker on a battery 
bus opened due to insufficient current flow capacity. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to prevent the circuit breakers from 
opening during flight, which could result in irreversible loss of 
engine indicating and fuel quantity systems in the cockpit.

DATES: Effective December 23, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 23, 1997.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before January 7, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-286-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Bombardier Aviation Services, 1255 East Aeropark Boulevard, Tucson, 
Arizona 85706. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at 
the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; 
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Portwood, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5350; fax 
(562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received reports of three in-
flight occurrences of loss of all engine indicating and fuel quantity 
systems in the cockpit on certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 series 
airplanes. In each case, the internal fuel/defuel panel had been left 
in the ``ON'' position for an extended period of time. When the panel 
was switched off, all engine and fuel quantity indications were lost; 
subsequent attempts to cycle the panel power back on were unsuccessful. 
Investigation revealed an opened circuit breaker. It was determined 
that, if power to the remote fuel/defuel panel is left on for up to 
approximately one hour, the controlling circuit breaker on the battery 
bus will have insufficient capacity to hold the current flow and, as a 
result, may open during flight. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in irreversible loss of engine indicating and fuel quantity 
systems in the cockpit.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin SB TUS-28-20-02-1, dated 
November 13, 1997, which describes procedures for disabling the remote 
fuel/defuel panel in the cockpit. Bombardier also has issued Service 
Bulletin SB TUS-28-20-02, dated November 13, 1997, which describes 
procedures for modifying the remote fuel/defuel panel; accomplishment 
of this modification eliminates the need to disable the panel. The 
modification involves replacing certain circuit breakers for the fuel/
defuel power and fuel quantity displays with new circuit breakers, and 
adding three 4-pole relays to allow switching of fuel quantity when the 
internal fuel panel is selected.

U.S. Type Certification of the Airplane

    This airplane model is manufactured in Canada and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.

[[Page 64520]]

Explanation of Requirements of 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, this AD is being issued to prevent loss of engine 
indicating and fuel quantity systems in the cockpit in the event a 
circuit breaker opens during flight. This AD requires disabling the 
remote fuel/defuel panel in the cockpit. This AD also provides for an 
optional modification of this panel, which would terminate the 
requirement to disable the panel. The actions are required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described 
previously.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 97-NM-286-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the 
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

97-25-11  Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Amendment 39-10235. 
Docket 97-NM-286-AD.

    Applicability: Model CL-600-2B16 series airplanes that have been 
modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate SA6003NM, 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 (c) 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 the circuit breaker on the battery bus from opening 
during flight, which could result in irreversible loss of engine 
indicating and fuel quantity systems in the cockpit, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 5 days after the effective date of this AD, disable 
the remote fuel/defuel panel, in accordance with Bombardier Service 
Bulletin SB TUS-28-20-02-1, dated November 13, 1997.
    (b) Modification of the remote fuel/defuel panel in accordance 
with Bombardier Service Bulletin SB TUS-28-20-02, dated November 13, 
1997, permits the remote fuel-defuel panel to be enabled, and 
constitutes terminating action for the requirements of paragraph (a) 
of this AD.
    (c) 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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 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.
    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Bombardier 
Service Bulletin SB TUS-28-20-02-1, dated November 13, 1997; or 
Bombardier Service Bulletin SB TUS-28-20-02, dated November 13, 
1997. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director 
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bombardier Aviation Services, 
1255 East Aeropark Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85706. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960

[[Page 64521]]

Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 23, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 1, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-31968 Filed 12-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U