[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 2, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 83-85]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-28149]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1175; Product Identifier 2017-NM-087-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 all 
Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 
702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, 
Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, and Model CL-
600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by a report that Belleville washers installed on the shimmy 
damper of the main landing gear may fail due to fatigue. This proposed 
AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate a repetitive task specified in the 
maintenance review board report. We are proposing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 16, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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 NPRM, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec 
H4S 1Y9, Canada; Widebody Customer Response Center North America toll-
free telephone 1-866-538-1247 or direct-dial telephone 1-514-855-2999; 
fax 514-855-7401; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7213115c0b071e321317001d5c101d1f101300161b17005c111d1f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99f8fab7e0ecf5d9f8fcebf6b7fbf6f4fbf8ebfdf0fcebb7faf6f4">[email protected]</span></a>; internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Transport Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA. 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1175; 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 NPRM, 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: Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7318; 
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-

[[Page 84]]

2017-1175; Product Identifier 2017-NM-087-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM 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 NPRM.

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation, which is the aviation authority 
for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2017-14, dated April 21, 2017 
(referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all 
Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 
702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, 
Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, and Model CL-
600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. The MCAI states:

    It has been found that Belleville washers installed on the Main 
Landing Gear (MLG) Shimmy Damper may fail in fatigue. A failed 
washer segment migrating into the piston cavity may interfere with 
piston travel. As a result, shimmy damper performance would be 
compromised, MLG shimmy could occur and potentially lead to a MLG 
failure.
    As a result of this investigation, a restoration task has been 
added for Belleville washers' replacement at 20,000 flight cycles, 
during MLG overhaul. For aeroplanes that have passed the 20,000 
flight cycle threshold, a phase-in period is defined.
    This [Canadian] AD is issued to mandate the Maintenance Review 
Board (MRB) revised task for the affected aeroplanes models.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1175.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier, Inc., has issued task number 320100-229, Restoration 
(Belleville Washing Replacement) of the MLG Shimmy Damper, of the 
Maintenance Review Board Report of the Bombardier CRJ700/705/900/1000 
Maintenance Requirements Manual (MRM)--Part 1, CSP B-053, Revision 17, 
dated June 25, 2017. This service information describes the restoration 
(Belleville Washer Replacement) of the MLG shimmy damper. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in the ADDRESSES section.

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 AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance 
documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). Compliance with 
these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have 
been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed 
by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able to accomplish the 
actions described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 
14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative 
method of compliance according to paragraph (j) of this proposed AD. 
The request should include a description of changes to the required 
actions that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected 
structure.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 544 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the airplane maintenance or      1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85         $46,240
 inspection program.                     hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated 
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as 
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, 
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the 
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable 
to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight 
Division.

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);

[[Page 85]]

    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.

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., Airplanes: Docket No. FAA-2017-1175; Product 
Identifier 2017-NM-087-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 16, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C10 
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 
(Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet 
Series 900) airplanes, and Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 
1000) airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating that Belleville 
washers installed on the shimmy damper of the main landing gear 
(MLG) may fail due to fatigue. We are issuing this AD to prevent a 
failed washer segment migrating into the piston cavity and 
interfering with piston travel. As a result, the shimmy damper 
performance could be compromised, and an MLG shimmy could occur, 
potentially leading to an MLG failure and affecting the airplane's 
safe flight and landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
airplane maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by 
incorporating maintenance review board (MRB) report task number 
320100-229, Restoration (Belleville Washing Replacement) of the MLG 
Shimmy Damper, of the Maintenance Review Board Report of the 
Bombardier CRJ700/705/900/1000 Maintenance Requirements Manual 
(MRM)--Part 1, CSP B-053, Revision 17, dated June 25, 2017. The 
initial compliance time for MRB report task number 320100-229 is 
specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For any shimmy damper with 20,000 total accumulated flight 
cycles or fewer as of the effective date of this AD, the initial 
compliance time is before the accumulation of 26,000 total flight 
cycles.
    (2) For any shimmy damper with 20,000 total accumulated flight 
cycles or more as of the effective date of this AD, the initial 
compliance time is specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (g)(2)(ii), 
whichever occurs later.
    (i) Within 6,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD, but prior to the accumulation of 30,000 total flight cycles.
    (ii) Within 30 days after effective date of this AD.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Bombardier Temporary Revision MRB-0070, dated 
October 20, 2015, prior to the effective date of this AD.

(i) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After the airplane maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised, as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the 
actions and/or intervals are approved as an alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (j) 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 ACO Branch, 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 manager of the certification 
office, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational 
Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 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.
    (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 
Branch, 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2017-14, dated April 21, 
2017, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-1175.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Cesar Gomez, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Section, FAA, 
New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7318; fax 516-794-5531.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, 
Qu[eacute]bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; Widebody Customer Response Center 
North America toll-free telephone 1-866-538-1247 or direct-dial 
telephone 1-514-855-2999; fax 514-855-7401; email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0e6f6d20777b624e6f6b7c61206c61636c6f7c6a676b7c206d6163"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fa9b99d4838f96ba9b9f8895d4989597989b889e939f88d4999597">[email protected]</span></a>; internet http://www.bombardier.com. You 
may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards 
Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 14, 2017.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-28149 Filed 12-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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