[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22094-22096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08718]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0528; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-060-AD; 
Amendment 39-18139; AD 2015-08-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted 
by a report that during production, an incorrect clevis was used, 
resulting in improper installation onto the alternate release cable of 
the main landing gear (MLG). This AD requires a detailed visual 
inspection of the emergency release clevis of the MLG to determine if 
an incorrect clevis has been installed, and if necessary, replacing the 
clevis with a correct clevis and clevis pin. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct improper installation of the clevis, which could 
cause loss of the alternate release system and prevent the MLG from 
extending and retracting, and could consequently affect the airplane's 
continued safe flight and landing.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 26, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 26, 
2015.

[[Page 22095]]


ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-0528 or in person at the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
    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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#512539357f20223423383422113034233e7f333e3c333023353834237f323e3c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0f7b676b217e7c6a7d666a7c4f6e6a7d60216d60626d6e7d6b666a7d216c6062">[email protected]</span></a>; Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may view this referenced 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0528.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra Sasson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7320; fax 516-794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Model DHC-8-400 
series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 
13, 2014 (79 FR 47393).
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2013-40, dated December 9, 2013 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Model DHC-8-400 series 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    A discrepancy has been found in the Main Landing Gear (MLG) 
emergency release clevis installation. During production, an 
incorrect clevis was used, resulting in improper installation onto 
the MLG alternate release cable. Failure of the clevis could cause 
the loss of the alternate release system, preventing the MLG from 
extending in the case of a failure of the normal MLG extension/
retraction system.
    This [Canadian] AD mandates the inspection for proper MLG 
emergency release clevis installation, and the rectification as 
required.

    The required actions for this AD include a detailed visual 
inspection of the emergency release clevis of the MLG to determine if 
an incorrect clevis has been installed, and if necessary, replacing the 
clevis with a correct clevis and clevis pin. You may examine the MCAI 
in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0528-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM (79 FR 
47393, August 13, 2014) and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request To Correct a Typographical Error

    Horizon Airlines stated that the Air Transport Association (ATA) of 
America Code in paragraph (d) of the NPRM (79 FR 47393, August 13, 
2014) is incorrect for the MLG, and should be 32, not 31.
    We agree with the commenter. We have changed the ATA of America 
Code in paragraph (d) of this AD to 32, Landing Gear.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the change described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 47393, August 13, 2014) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 47393, August 13, 2014).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier, Inc., has issued Service Bulletin 84-32-67, dated July 
8, 2009. The service information describes a visual inspection of the 
emergency release clevis of the MLG to determine if an incorrect clevis 
has been installed, and if necessary, replacing the clevis with a 
correct clevis and clevis pin. The actions described in this service 
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in 
the MCAI. You can find this information at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0528. This service 
information is reasonably available; see ADDRESSES for ways to access 
this service information.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 18 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $0 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $3,060, or $170 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 3 work-hours and require parts costing $0, for a cost of 
$255 per product. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need this action.

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);

[[Page 22096]]

    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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-0528; 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 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.

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

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):

2015-08-03 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-18139. Docket No. FAA-
2014-0528; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-060-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective May 26, 2015.

(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 4109 inclusive.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that during production, an 
incorrect clevis was used, resulting in improper installation onto 
the alternate release cable of the main landing gear (MLG). We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct improper installation of the 
clevis, which could cause loss of the alternate release system and 
prevent the MLG from extending and retracting, and could 
consequently affect the airplane's continued safe flight and 
landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Within 2,000 flight hours or 12 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a general visual inspection 
of the emergency release clevis of the MLG to determine if an 
incorrect clevis has been installed, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-67, 
dated July 8, 2009. If an incorrect clevis has been installed, 
before further flight, replace the clevis with a correct clevis and 
clevis pin, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-67, dated July 8, 2009.

(h) 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 New York 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO, 
ANE-170, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or 
Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO). If 
approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized 
signature.

 (i) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2013-40, dated December 9, 2013, 
for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-
2014-0528-0002.

(j) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-67, dated July 8, 2009.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d4a0bcb0faa5a7b1a6bdb1a794b5b1a6bbfab6bbb9b6b5a6b0bdb1a6fab7bbb9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="493d212d67383a2c3b202c3a09282c3b26672b26242b283b2d202c3b672a2624">[email protected]</span></a>; Internet 
http://www.bombardier.com.
    (4) 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.
    (5) 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/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 6, 2015.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-08718 Filed 4-20-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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