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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 24, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43176-43178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17967]

========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 142 / Tuesday, July 24, 2012 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 43176]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0722; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-188-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports of alternating current (AC) 
generator failures in-service due to incomplete fusion in the weld 
joint of the rotor band assembly. This proposed AD would require 
inspecting the AC generator to determine the part number, and replacing 
the AC generator if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
rotor windings from coming in contact with the generator housing, which 
could result in debris contaminating and potentially blocking the 
engine oil scavenge system, leading to loss of oil pressure and an in-
flight shutdown of the engine.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 7, 
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: Mazdak Hobbi, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion and Services Branch, ANE-173, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone (516) 228-7330; 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-2012-0722; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-188-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-
2011-22, dated July 13, 2011 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), 
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    There have been several reports of AC Generator failures in-
service. The root cause has been attributed to an incomplete fusion 
in the weld joint of the AC Generator rotor band assembly. If not 
rectified, the rotor band may fail allowing the rotor windings to 
come in contact with the generator housing. The resulting debris 
could contaminate and potentially block the engine oil scavenge 
system, leading to loss of oil pressure and an in-flight shutdown of 
the engine.
    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin (SB) 84-24-45 to inspect, 
[replace with modified or new AC generator] and re-identify the 
affected AC generators to a new part number (P/N) 1152218-6 unit in 
order to rectify the problem and ensure integrity of the affected 
units.

    The required action is replacing the AC generator with a modified 
or new AC generator. You may obtain further information by examining 
the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 84-24-45, dated January 13, 
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.

[[Page 43177]]

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    TCCA AD CF-2011-22, dated July 13, 2011, prohibits installation of 
certain part numbers following the accomplishment of the replacement 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD. This AD prohibits installation of 
those part numbers as of the effective date of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 83 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 2 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 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 $14,110, or $170 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.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2012-0722; Directorate Identifier 
2011-NM-188-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 7, 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 
through 4338 inclusive, with Honeywell alternating current (AC) 
generator part number (P/N) 1152218-3, 1152218-4 or 1152218-5 
installed.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24: AC 
generator.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of alternating current (AC) 
generator failures in-service due to incomplete fusion in the weld 
joint of the rotor band assembly. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
rotor windings from coming in contact with the generator housing, 
which could result in debris contaminating and potentially blocking 
the engine oil scavenge system, leading to loss of oil pressure and 
an in-flight shutdown of the engine.

(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) Inspection and Replacement

    Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Inspect the left and right AC 
generators to determine if the AC generator has a part number 
identified in step 3.B.(2) of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-45, dated January 13, 2011, or has 
P/N 1152218-3. If an AC generator has a part number identified in 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-45, dated January 13, 2011, or has 
P/N 1152218-3, before further flight, replace the AC generator with 
a modified or new AC generator having P/N 1152218-6, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 
84-24-45, dated January 13, 2011.

(h) Parts Installation Prohibition

    After-the effective date of this AD, no person may install an AC 
generator with a P/N 1152218-5, 1152218-4, or 1152218-3 on any 
airplane.

(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, 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.
    (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.

 (j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2011-22, 
dated July 13, 2011; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-45, dated 
January 13, 2011; for related information.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., Q-Series

[[Page 43178]]

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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 13, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-17967 Filed 7-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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