Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 140 / Monday, July 22, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 43761 

Dated: July 16, 2013. 

Rex A. Barnes, 

Associate Administrator, Agricultural 

Marketing Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–17462 Filed 7–19–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–02–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–1222; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–134–AD; Amendment 

39–17505; AD 2013–13–17] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, 

Inc. Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are superseding 

airworthiness directive (AD) 2011–13– 

08 for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model 

DHC–8–400 series airplanes. AD 2011– 

13–08 required a free-play check for 

excessive free-play of the shaft swaged 

bearing installed in the tailstock end of 

each elevator power control unit (PCU), 

and replacing any PCU on which the 

bearing exceeds allowable limits with a 

serviceable PCU. This new AD adds 

airplanes to the applicability from that 

of AD 2011–13–08. This AD was 

prompted by a determination that 

additional airplanes are affected by the 

identified unsafe condition. We are 

issuing this AD to detect and correct 

excessive free-play of the swaged 

bearings, which could lead to excessive 

airframe vibrations and difficulties in 

pitch control, and consequent loss of 

controllability of the airplane. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective 

August 26, 2013. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in this AD 

as of August 26, 2013. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain other publication listed in 

this AD as of August 1, 2011 (76 FR 

37253, June 27, 2011). 

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD 

docket on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov or in person at the 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 

Docket Operations, M–30, West 

Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe and Mechanical Systems 

Branch, ANE–171, FAA, New York 

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1600 

Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 

New York 11590; telephone (516) 228– 

7318; fax (516) 794–5531. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. The 

NPRM was published in the Federal 

Register on December 4, 2012 (77 FR 

71729), and proposed to supersede AD 

2011–13–08, Amendment 39–16731 (76 

FR 37253, June 27, 2011). Transport 

Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is 

the aviation authority for Canada, has 

issued Canadian Airworthiness 

Directive CF–2010–28R1, dated June 12, 

2012 (referred to after this as the 

Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 

Information, or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct 

an unsafe condition for the specified 

products. The Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 

states: 

Several reports have been received on the 

elevator power control units (PCUs) where 

the shaft (tailstock) swaged bearing liners had 

shown a higher than normal rate of wear. 

Investigation revealed that the excessive wear 

was due to the paint contamination between 

the bearing roller and bearing liner. The 

bearing paint contamination is known to be 

abrasive and could seize the bearing. 

This condition, if not corrected, could lead 

to excessive airframe vibrations and 

difficulties in aircraft pitch control. 

This [TCCA] directive mandates a free-play 

check of the shaft swaged bearing installed in 

the elevator PCU tailstock end and 

replacement of the shaft swaged bearings if 

excessive free-play is found. 

This [TCCA] AD is revised to amend the 

applicability for DHC–8 Series 400 

aeroplanes. 

The unsafe condition is loss of 

controllability of the airplane. You may 

obtain further information by examining 

the MCAI in the AD docket. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

have considered the comments received. 

Request To Clarify Applicability 

Bombardier, Inc. stated that the 

applicability in the NPRM (77 FR 71729, 

December 4, 2012) is ‘‘ambiguous.’’ 

Bombardier noted that the applicability 

specifies a serial number range of 

airplanes, but the NPRM could be 

interpreted to apply to those PCUs or 

bearings installed on the airplane at the 

time of manufacture. Bombardier added 

that the preamble and service 

information sections of the NPRM 

contribute to this interpretation by 

citing paint contamination during 

airplane manufacture as the basis for 

bearing wear, in addition to the 

identification of PCUs and bearings by 

part number. Bombardier stated that the 

affected airplanes have a production run 

between the years 2000 and 2010; the 

PCUs are line replaceable units and 

could have been removed from an 

affected airplane and installed on an 

airplane outside of the serial number 

range. Bombardier concluded that if the 

intent of the NPRM is to apply to PCUs 

installed at the time of airplane 

manufacture, there are no provisions to 

account for those PCUs in the NPRM or 

in the service information. 

We infer that the commenter wants 

clarification of the applicability. We 

agree to clarify. This AD applies only to 

those airplanes having serial numbers 

(S/Ns) 4001 through 4334 inclusive, and 

4336, and matches the applicability of 

Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF– 

2010–28R1, dated June 12, 2012. Based 

on the infrequent removal and 

replacement of single actuators, we have 

determined it is not necessary to 

include additional airplanes in the 

applicability at this time. To alter the 

applicability to include additional 

airplanes would require additional 

rulemaking. We find that delaying this 

action would be inappropriate in light 

of the identified unsafe condition. 

However, we might consider additional 

rulemaking to address any airplanes that 

might be identified in the future as 

having an affected PCU or bearing. We 

have made no change to this AD in this 

regard. 

Request To Give Credit for Previous 

Accomplishment of Certain Inspections 

Bombardier also stated that 

maintenance review board (MRB) Task 

273000–213, ‘‘Functional Check of the 

Elevator Free Play,’’ was introduced on 

February 10, 2011, with a 12,000-flighthour interval. Bombardier added that 

the NPRM (77 FR 71729, December 4, 

2012) contains no provisions for giving 

credit for inspections accomplished 

using the MRB task, which applies to all 

airplanes and addresses excessive 

elevator free-play, regardless of the 

source. 

We disagree to give credit for previous 

accomplishment of the free-play 

inspections using that MRB task because 

that task does not meet the requirements 

in this AD. The free-play inspections in 

this AD must be performed at the 

required compliance times in 

accordance with Bombardier Service 


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43762 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 140 / Monday, July 22, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 

Bulletin 84–27–52, dated May 25, 2010; 

or Revision A, dated March 5, 2012. 

However, as specified in paragraph (l)(1) 

of this AD, we might approve a request 

for an alternative method of compliance 

for the inspection requirements of this 

AD if substantiating data supporting the 

request is provided. We have made no 

change to the AD in this regard. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the available data, 

including the comments received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting this AD 

as proposed. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects about 

81 products of U.S. registry. 

The actions that were required by AD 

2011–13–08, Amendment 39–16731 (76 

FR 37253, June 27, 2011), and retained 

in this AD take about 3 work-hours per 

product, at an average labor rate of $85 

per work hour. Based on these figures, 

the estimated cost of the actions 

retained from AD 2011–13–08 is $255 

per product. 

We estimate that it will take about 3 

work-hours per product to comply with 

the new basic requirements of this AD. 

The average labor rate is $85 per workhour. Based on these figures, we 

estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 

operators for the added airplanes to be 

$255 per product. 

In addition, we estimate that any 

necessary follow-on actions will take 

about 5 work-hours and require parts 

costing $33, for a cost of $458 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 AD will not 

have federalism implications under 

Executive Order 13132. This AD will 

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 that this AD: 

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 AD and placed it in the AD docket. 

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 AD, the MCAI, 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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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) 

2011–13–08, Amendment 39–16731 (76 

FR 37253, June 27, 2011), and adding 

the following new AD: 

2013–13–17 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 

39–17505. Docket No. FAA–2012–1222; 

Directorate Identifier 2012–NM–134–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes 

effective August 26, 2013. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD supersedes AD 2011–13–08, 

Amendment 39–16731 (76 FR 37253, June 

27, 2011). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model 

DHC–8–400, –401, and –402 airplanes; 

certificated in any category; having serial 

numbers (S/Ns) 4001 through 4334 inclusive, 

and 4336. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 27: Flight controls. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

replacement of several elevator power control 

units (PCUs) due to worn swaged bearings 

located in the elevator PCU tailstock. We are 

issuing this AD to detect and correct 

excessive free-play of the swaged bearings, 

which could lead to excessive airframe 

vibrations and difficulties in pitch control, 

and consequent loss of 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 Free-Play Check With Revised 

Service Information 

This paragraph restates the requirements of 

paragraph (g) of AD 2011–13–08, 

Amendment 39–16731 (76 FR 37253, June 

27, 2011), with revised service information. 

For airplanes identified in paragraph (c) of 

this AD, except airplanes having S/N 4305 

through 4334 inclusive, and 4336: At the 

applicable time specified in paragraphs (g)(1) 

and (g)(2) of this AD, perform a free-play 

check for any shaft swaged bearing having 

part number (P/N) MS14103–7 that is 

installed in the tailstock end of each elevator 

PCU (three PCUs per elevator surface) having 

P/Ns 390600–1007 and 390600–1009, in 

accordance with paragraph 3.B., Part A, of 

Bombardier Service Bulletin 84–27–52, dated 

May 25, 2010; or Revision A, dated March 5, 

2012. As of the effective date of this AD, only 

Bombardier Service Bulletin 84–27–52, 

Revision A, dated March 5, 2012, may be 

used to accomplish the actions required by 

this paragraph. 

(1) For airplanes that have accumulated 

8,000 or more total flight hours as of August 

1, 2011 (the effective date of AD 2011–13–08, 

Amendment 39–16731 (76 FR 37253, June 

27, 2011)): Within 2,000 flight hours after 

August 1, 2011 (the effective date of AD 

2011–13–08). 

(2) For airplanes that have accumulated 

less than 8,000 total flight hours as of August 

1, 2011 (the effective date of AD 2011–13–08, 

Amendment 39–16731 (76 FR 37253, June 

27, 2011)): Within 6,000 flight hours after 

August 1, 2011 (the effective date of AD 

2011–13–08), or before the accumulation of 


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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 140 / Monday, July 22, 2013 / Rules and Regulations 43763 

10,000 total flight hours, whichever occurs 

first. 

(h) Retained Follow-on Action With Revised 

Service Information 

This paragraph restates the requirements of 

paragraph (h) of AD 2011–13–08, 

Amendment 39–16731 (76 FR 37253, June 

27, 2011), with revised service information. 

If, during the check required by paragraph (g) 

of this AD, the bearing free-play is within the 

limits specified in Bombardier Service 

Bulletin 84–27–52, dated May 25, 2010, or 

Revision A, dated March 5, 2012; no further 

action is required by this AD. As of the 

effective date of this AD, only Bombardier 

Service Bulletin 84–27–52, Revision A, dated 

March 5, 2012, may be used to accomplish 

the actions required by this paragraph. 

(i) Retained Corrective Actions With Revised 

Service Information 

This paragraph restates the requirements of 

paragraph (i) of AD 2011–13–08, Amendment 

39–16731 (76 FR 37253, June 27, 2011), with 

revised service information. If, during the 

check required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 

the bearing free-play exceeds the limits 

specified in Bombardier Service Bulletin 84– 

27–52, dated May 25, 2010; or Revision A, 

dated March 5, 2012: Before further flight, 

replace the elevator PCU with a serviceable 

one, in accordance with paragraph 3.B., Part 

B, of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84–27–52, 

dated May 25, 2010; or Revision A, dated 

March 5, 2012. As of the effective date of this 

AD, only Bombardier Service Bulletin 84– 

27–52, Revision A, dated March 5, 2012, may 

be used to accomplish the actions required 

by this paragraph. 

(j) New Free-Play Check 

For airplanes having S/N 4305 through 

4334 inclusive, and 4336: At the applicable 

time specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) 

of this AD, perform a free-play check for any 

shaft swaged bearing having P/N MS14103– 

7 that is installed in the tailstock end of each 

elevator PCU (three PCUs per elevator 

surface), having P/Ns 390600–1007 and 

390600–1009, in accordance with paragraph 

3.B., Part A, of Bombardier Service Bulletin 

84–27–52, Revision A, dated March 5, 2012. 

(1) For airplanes that have accumulated 

8,000 or more total flight hours as of the 

effective date of this AD: Within 2,000 flight 

hours after the effective date of this AD. 

(2) For airplanes that have accumulated 

less than 8,000 total flight hours as of the 

effective date of this AD: Within 6,000 flight 

hours after the effective date of this AD, or 

before the accumulation of 10,000 total flight 

hours, whichever occurs first. 

(k) New Corrective Actions 

During the check required by paragraph (j) 

of this AD, if the bearing free-play is found 

to exceed the limits specified in Bombardier 

Service Bulletin 84–27–52, Revision A, dated 

March 5, 2012: Before further flight, replace 

the elevator PCU with a serviceable one, in 

accordance with paragraph 3.B., Part B, of 

Bombardier Service Bulletin 84–27–52, 

Revision A, dated March 5, 2012. 

(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. 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 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 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 

Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian 

Airworthiness Directive CF–2010–28R1, 

dated June 12, 2012, for related information, 

which can be found in the AD docket on the 

Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. 

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(3) The following service information was 

approved for IBR on August 26, 2013. 

(i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84–27–52, 

Revision A, dated March 5, 2012. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(4) The following service information was 

approved for IBR on August 1, 2011 (76 FR 

37253, June 27, 2011). 

(i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84–27–52, 

dated May 25, 2010. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(5) 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. 

(6) You may review copies of the 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. 

(7) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, call 

202–741–6030, or go to: http:// 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 21, 

2013. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–17210 Filed 7–19–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0204; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–229–AD; Amendment 

39–17510; AD 2013–14–05] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 747–400 

and 747–400F series airplanes. This AD 

was prompted by reports of cracking in 

the outboard flange of the longeron 

extension fittings, which attach to the 

wing-to-body fairing support frame. 

This AD requires repetitive inspections 

of the longeron extension fittings for 

cracking, and corrective actions if 

necessary. We are issuing this AD to 

detect and correct cracks in the longeron 

extension fittings, which can become 

large and adversely affect the structural 

integrity of the airplane. 

DATES: This AD is effective August 26, 

2013. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of August 26, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this AD, contact Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data 

& Services Management, P. O. Box 3707, 

MC 2H–65, Seattle, WA 98124–2207; 

telephone 206–544–5000, extension 1; 

fax 206–766–5680; Internet https:// 

www.myboeingfleet.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. 


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