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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 70 (Thursday, April 11, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21573-21576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08453]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0298; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-175-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-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, 
-311, and -315 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of 
dual alternating current (AC) generator failure during flight. The 
failure was attributed to wire chafing along the wing lower flap 
shroud. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance program 
to incorporate certain tasks for the electrical wiring interconnection 
system inspection program. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure 
of both AC generators due to wire chafing, which could result in loss 
of power to the anti-icing heaters for the elevator horn, engine inlet, 
and propeller, and consequent ice accumulation in these areas, which 
could adversely affect the controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 28, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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.

[[Page 21574]]

     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: Deliver to Mail address above 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: Assata Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer, 
Avionics and Services Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 
New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7301; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-0298; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-175-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 because of 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-
2012-25, dated August 28, 2012 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    There have been several reported occurrences of dual 
[alternating current] AC Generator failure during flight, resulting 
in the loss of the variable frequency AC System.
    Investigations revealed wire chafing along the wing lower flap 
shroud due to sagging wiring harnesses resting on the support 
structure, missing teflon tape at the fairlead locations, and 
missing grommets. Chafed wires may lead to arcing, local 
overheating, and AC generator failure. The AC generators provide 
power to the anti-icing heaters, including elevator horn heater, 
engine inlet heater and propeller heater. Failure of both AC 
generators would result in the loss of these systems and poses a 
safety concern.
    This [Canadian] AD mandates the inspection and rectification of 
the wiring harness installations along the centre wing lower flap 
shroud.

Required actions include revising the maintenance program by 
incorporating electrical wiring interconnection system inspection 
program tasks.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued the following service information:
     de Havilland Dash 8 Series 100 Maintenance Task Card 
531X1, Revision 25, in Section 8, Electrical Wiring Interconnection 
System Inspection Program, of Part 1, Maintenance Review Board Report, 
of the Bombardier DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-8-7, dated 
February 20, 2012.
     de Havilland Dash 8 Series 100 Maintenance Task Card 
631X1, Revision 25, in Section 8, Electrical Wiring Interconnection 
System Inspection Program, of Part 1, Maintenance Review Board Report, 
of the Bombardier DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-8-7, dated 
February 20, 2012.
     de Havilland Dash 8 Series 200 Maintenance Task Card 
531X1, Revision 16, in Section 8, Electrical Wiring Interconnection 
System Inspection Program, of Part 1, Maintenance Review Board Report, 
of the Bombardier DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-82-7, dated 
February 20, 2012.
     de Havilland Dash 8 Series 200 Maintenance Task Card 
631X1, Revision 16, in Section 8, Electrical Wiring Interconnection 
System Inspection Program, of Part 1, Maintenance Review Board Report, 
of the Bombardier DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-82-7, dated 
February 20, 2012.
     de Havilland Dash 8 Series 300 Maintenance Task Card 
531X1, Revision 25, in Section 8, Electrical Wiring Interconnection 
System Inspection Program, of Part 1, Maintenance Review Board Report, 
of the Bombardier DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-83-7, dated 
February 20, 2012.
     de Havilland Dash 8 Series 300 Maintenance Task Card 
631X1, Revision 25, in Section 8, Electrical Wiring Interconnection 
System Inspection Program, of Part 1, Maintenance Review Board Report, 
of the Bombardier DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manual, PSM 1-83-7, dated 
February 20, 2012.
    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.
    This proposed AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance 
documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections 
is required by section 91.403(c) of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
(14 CFR 91.403(c)). For airplances that have been previously modified, 
altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, an 
operator might not be able to accomplish the inspections described in 
the revisions. In this situation to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the 
operator must request approval of an alternative method of compliance 
(AMOC) in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (j)(1) of this 
proposed AD. The request should include a description of changes to the 
required inspections that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of 
the affected structure.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 89 products of U.S. registry.

[[Page 21575]]

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 $7,565, or $85 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

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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2013-0298; Directorate Identifier 
2012-NM-175-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 28, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, 
-201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes, certificated in any 
category, serial numbers 003 and subsequent.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of dual alternating current (AC) 
generator failure during flight. The failure was attributed to wire 
chafing along the wing lower flap shroud. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of both AC generators due to wire chafing, which 
could result in loss of power to the anti-icing heaters for the 
elevator horn, engine inlet, and propeller, and consequent ice 
accumulation in these areas, which could adversely affect the 
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) Maintenance Program Revision

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the 
airplane maintenance program by incorporating de Havilland Dash 8 
Maintenance Task Cards 531X1 and 631X1, General visual inspection of 
the wiring and associated electrical wiring interconnection system 
(EWIS), in Section 8, Electrical Wiring Inspection Program, of Part 
1, Maintenance Review Board Report into the applicable maintenance 
program manual specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of 
this AD.
    (1) For Model DHC-8-100 series airplanes: Bombardier DHC-8 
Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-8-7, Revision 25, dated February 
20, 2012.
    (2) For Model DHC-8-200 series airplanes: Bombardier DHC-8 
Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-82-7, Revision 16, dated February 
20, 2012.
    (3) For Model DHC-8-300 series airplanes: Bombardier DHC-8 
Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-83-7, Revision 25, dated February 
20, 2012.

(h) Initial Task Compliance Time

    The initial compliance time for the tasks specified in the 
maintenance task cards specified in paragraph (g) of this AD is at 
the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this 
AD.
    (1) For airplanes with 45,000 total flight hours or more as of 
the effective date of this AD: Within 1,000 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes with less than 45,000 total flight hours as of 
the effective date of this AD: Within 6,000 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, but not to exceed 46,000 total flight 
hours.

(i) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After accomplishing the revisions required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may 
be used, unless the actions and intervals are approved as an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.

(j) 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2012-25, 
dated August 28, 2012, and the service information specified in 
paragraphs (k)(1)(i) through (k)(1)(vi) of this AD, for related 
information.

[[Page 21576]]

    (i) de Havilland Dash 8 Series 100 Maintenance Task Card 531X1, 
in Section 8, Electrical Wiring Interconnection System Inspection 
Program, of Part 1, Maintenance Review Board Report, of the 
Bombardier DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-8-7, Revision 25, 
dated February 20, 2012.
    (ii) de Havilland Dash 8 Series 100 Maintenance Task Card 631X1, 
in Section 8, Electrical Wiring Interconnection System Inspection 
Program, of Part 1, Maintenance Review Board Report, of the 
Bombardier DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-8-7, Revision 25, 
dated February 20, 2012.
    (iii) de Havilland Dash 8 Series 200 Maintenance Task Card 
531X1, in Section 8, Electrical Wiring Interconnection System 
Inspection Program, of Part 1, Maintenance Review Board Report, of 
the Bombardier DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-82-7, Revision 
16, dated February 20, 2012.
    (iv) de Havilland Dash 8 Series 200 Maintenance Task Card 631X1, 
in Section 8, Electrical Wiring Interconnection System Inspection 
Program, of Part 1, Maintenance Review Board Report, of the 
Bombardier DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1-82-7, Revision 16, 
dated February 20, 2012.
    (v) de Havilland Dash 8 Series 300 Maintenance Task Card 531X1, 
in Section 8, Electrical Wiring Interconnection System Inspection 
Program, of Part 1, Maintenance Review Board Report, of the 
Bombardier DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manual PSM 1 83-7, Revision 25, 
dated February 20, 2012.
    (vi) de Havilland Dash 8 Series 300 Maintenance Task Card 631X1, 
in Section 8, Electrical Wiring Interconnection System Inspection 
Program, of Part 1, Maintenance Review Board Report, of the 
Bombardier DHC-8 Maintenance Program Manual, PSM 1-83-7, Revision 
25, dated February 20, 2012.
    (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 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 March 28, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-08453 Filed 4-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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