Document ID: FAA-2012-0641-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2012-06-21T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 120 (Thursday, June 21, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37342-37344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15167]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0641; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-258-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 CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) and CL-600-2B16 
(CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 Variants) airplanes. This proposed AD 
was prompted by reports of jamming/malfunctioning of the left-hand 
engine thrust control mechanism. This proposed AD would require 
modifying the left-hand engine upper core-cowl. We are proposing this 
AD to prevent jamming/malfunctioning of the left-hand engine thrust 
control mechanism, which could lead to loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 6, 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., 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec 
H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-7401; email 
thd.crj@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, 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-2012-0641; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-258-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy

[[Page 37343]]

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, which is the aviation authority 
for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2011-37, 
dated October 19, 2011 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    There have been several reported incidents of jamming/
malfunctioning of the left hand (L/H) engine thrust control 
mechanism on the affected aeroplanes. The investigation has shown 
that an improperly stowed or dislodged upper core-cowl-door Hold 
Open Rod, can impede a Fuel Control Unit (FCU) function by 
obstructing the movement of the FCU actuating lever arm, hence 
rendering the L/H engine thrust control inoperable.
    Due to the engine's orientation, the subject FCU fouling is 
limited only to the L/H engine installation on the affected twin 
engine powered aeroplanes; however the potential hazard of any in-
flight engine shut down caused by jammed engine fuel control lever 
is a safety concern that warrants mitigating action.
    In order to help alleviate the possibility of an in-flight 
engine shut down due to the subject fouling of the FCU lever by the 
core-cowl-door Hold Open Rod, Bombardier has issued three Service 
Bulletins to [modify the L/H engine upper core cowl by] install[ing] 
a new bracket at the L/H engine upper core-cowl-door location. This 
[Canadian] directive is issued to mandate the incorporation of the 
Service Bulletins 604-71-005, 601-0609 or 605-71-002, as applicable 
on the affected aeroplanes.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued the following service bulletins:
     Bombardier Service Bulletin 601-0609, dated August 31, 
2011 (for Model CL-600-2A12 airplanes)
     Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-71-005, dated July 18, 
2011 (for Model CL-600-2B16 airplanes)
     Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-71-002, dated July 18, 
2011 (for Model CL-600-2B16 airplanes).
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 407 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 3 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 $203 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 $186,406, or $458 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-2012-0641; Directorate Identifier 
2011-NM-258-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 6, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any 
category:
    (1) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) airplanes, 
serial numbers (S/Ns) 3001 through 3066 inclusive.
    (2) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, 
and CL-604 Variants) airplanes, S/Ns 5001 through 5194 inclusive, 
5301 through 5665 inclusive, and 5701 through 5884 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 71: Powerplant.

[[Page 37344]]

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of jamming/malfunctioning of the 
left-hand engine thrust control mechanism. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent jamming/malfunctioning of the left-hand engine thrust 
control mechanism, which could lead to loss of control 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) Modification

    Within 36 months or 6,000 flight hours, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD: Modify the left-hand engine 
upper core-cowl, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of the applicable service bulletin specified in paragraph (g)(1), 
(g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Bombardier Service Bulletin 601-0609, dated August 31, 2011 
(for Model CL-600-2A12 airplanes having S/Ns 3001 through 3066 
inclusive, and Model CL-600-2B16 airplanes having S/Ns 5001 through 
5194 inclusive).
    (2) Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-71-005, dated July 18, 2011 
(for Model CL-600-2B16 airplanes having S/Ns 5301 through 5665 
inclusive).
    (3) Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-71-002, dated July 18, 2011 
(for Model CL-600-2B16 airplanes having S/Ns 5701 through 5884 
inclusive).

(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, 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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2011-37, dated 
October 19, 2011, and the service bulletins specified in paragraphs 
(i)(1), (i)(2), and (i)(3) of this AD, for related information.
    (1) Bombardier Service Bulletin 601-0609, dated August 31, 2011.
    (2) Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-71-005, dated July 18, 2011.
    (3) Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-71-002, dated July 18, 2011.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 12, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-15167 Filed 6-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P