Document ID: FAA-2016-9575-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2017-02-22T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 34 (Wednesday, February 22, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11325-11327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03262]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9575; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-168-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-20-
09 for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. AD 
2014-20-09 currently requires an inspection for missing clamps that are 
required to provide positive separation between the alternating current 
(AC) feeder cables and the hydraulic line of the landing gear alternate 
extension, and related investigative and corrective actions if 
necessary. Since we issued AD 2014-20-09, it was determined that 
certain airplane serial numbers are not subject to the identified 
unsafe condition. This proposed AD would remove airplanes from the AD 
applicability. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 10, 2017.

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.
     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 NPRM, 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 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.

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-2016-
9575; 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 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, 
NY 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 proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-9575; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-168-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

    On September 23, 2014, we issued AD 2014-20-09, Amendment 39-17982 
(79 FR 59630, October 3, 2014) (``AD 2014-20-09''), for certain 
Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. AD 2014-20-09 was 
prompted by reports of missing clamps that are required to provide 
positive separation between the AC feeder cables and the hydraulic line 
of the landing gear alternate extension. AD 2014-20-09 requires an 
inspection for missing clamps that are required to provide positive 
separation between the AC feeder cables and the hydraulic line of the 
landing gear alternate extension, and related investigative and 
corrective actions if necessary. We issued AD 2014-20-09 to detect and 
correct chafing of the AC feeder cable. A chafed and arcing AC feeder 
cable could puncture the adjacent hydraulic line, which, in combination 
with the use of the alternate extension system, could result in an in-
flight fire.
    Since we issued AD 2014-20-09, it was determined that certain 
airplane serial numbers are in a Pre-modification MS 4M153025 
configuration, which allows sufficient space between the AC feeder 
cables and the landing gear alternate extension hydraulic line do not 
pose an in-flight fire risk. Therefore, these airplanes are not subject 
to the identified unsafe condition.
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2013-16R1, effective July 26, 2016 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-
400 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    During production checks, it was found that the appropriate 
clamps required to provide positive separation between the AC feeder 
cables and the hydraulic line of the landing gear alternate 
extension were omitted. The AC feeder cable could sag and be in 
direct contact with the swage fitting of the landing gear alternate 
extension hydraulic line, resulting in chafing of the AC feeder 
cable. The chafed and arcing AC feeder cable could puncture the 
adjacent hydraulic line. In combination with the use of the 
alternate extension system, this could result in an in-flight fire.
    The original issue of this [Canadian] AD was issued to mandate 
the incorporation of [Bombardier] service bulletin (SB) 84-24-53 to 
* * * [do a general visual inspection for the presence of correctly 
installed clamps] and rectify, as necessary, for proper clamp 
installation.
    Bombardier, Inc. has revised SB 84-24-53 to remove serial 
numbers 4001 through 4034 from the Effectivity section, as it was 
determined that these serial numbers are Pre-Mod MS 4M153025, which 
allowed sufficient space between the AC feeder cables and the 
landing gear alternate extension hydraulic line to not pose an in-
flight fire risk. Accordingly, revision 1 of this [Canadian] AD is 
issued to revise the

[[Page 11326]]

Applicability section to reflect the Effectivity changes in 
[Bombardier Service Bulletin] SB 84-24-53 Revision B, dated 10 
September 2015.

    The related investigative action is a general visual inspection of 
the AC power feeder cables and the hydraulic line for damage due to 
chafing. The corrective actions include repair of chafed parts and 
replacement of missing clamps. 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-2016-9575.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-53, Revision B, dated 
September 10, 2015. The service information describes procedures for a 
general visual inspection for installation of clamps between the AC 
feeder cables and hydraulic line, and related investigative and 
corrective actions. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 52 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The actions required by AD 2014-20-09, and retained in this 
proposed AD, take about 2 work-hours per product, at an average labor 
rate of $85 per work-hour. Required parts cost about $170 per product. 
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the actions that are 
required by AD 2014-20-09 is $17,680 per product.
    This proposed AD merely removes certain airplanes and, therefore, 
adds no new actions or economic burden.

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.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2014-20-09, Amendment 39-17982 (79 FR 59630, October 3, 2014), and 
adding the following new AD:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2016-9575; Directorate Identifier 
2016-NM-168-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 10, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2014-20-09, Amendment 39-17982 (79 FR 59630, 
October 3, 2014) (``AD 2014-20-09'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-400, -401, and -
402 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 4035 
through 4347 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical 
power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of missing clamps that are 
required to provide positive separation between the alternating 
current (AC) feeder cables and the hydraulic line of the landing 
gear alternate extension. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct chafing of the AC feeder cable. A chafed and arcing AC 
feeder cable could puncture the adjacent hydraulic line, which, in 
combination with the use of the alternate extension system, could 
result in an in-flight fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Clamp Inspection, Related Investigative Actions, and 
Corrective Actions, With Revised Service Information Having Reduced 
Effectivity

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2014-20-09, with revised service information having reduced 
Effectivity. Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months after November 
7, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-20-09), whichever occurs 
earlier: Do a general visual inspection for correctly installed 
clamps between the AC feeder cables and hydraulic line, and do all 
applicable related investigative and corrective actions; in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-24-53, Revision B, dated September 10, 2015. Do 
all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before 
further flight. After the effective date of this AD, only Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-24-53, Revision B, dated September 10, 2015, may 
be used.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before November 7, 
2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-20-09), using Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 84-24-53, dated May 11, 2012; or Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 84-24-53, Revision A, dated May 16, 2013.

[[Page 11327]]

(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, 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: As of the effective date of 
this AD, 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2013-16R1, effective July 
26, 2016, 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-2016-9575.
    (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 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 3, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-03262 Filed 2-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P