Document ID: FAA-2014-0120-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-02-27T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11022-11025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04260]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0120; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-056-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 CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T Variant), and CL-
215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by 
several reports indicating that shorter nacelle strut bushings were 
inadvertently installed on certain airplanes. This proposed AD would 
require a general visual inspection of the left and right

[[Page 11023]]

nacelle upper strut bushings; installation of the bolts and preload 
indicating (PLI) washers, if necessary; and replacement of the bushing 
or repair of the bushing installation, if necessary. We are proposing 
this AD to detect and correct inadequate nacelle strut bushings, which 
provide insufficient engagement in the strut fork end, and could deform 
under the bearing load and lead to the failure of the joint.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 14, 2014.

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 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; 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: Ricardo Garcia, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; phone (516) 228-7331; 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-2014-0120; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-056-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

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation, which is the aviation authority 
for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2013-06, 
dated February 27, 2013 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    It was discovered in several cases that nacelle strut bushings 
with part number (P/N), 85410265-105, have been inadvertently 
installed in lieu of P/N 85410265-103. Bushing P/N 85410265-105 is 
shorter than bushing P/N 85410265-103 and provides for less 
engagement in the strut fork end, P/N 215T16534-12/-13, which may 
deform under the bearing load leading to the failure of the joint.

The actions for this proposed AD include a general visual inspection of 
the left and right nacelle upper strut bushings; installation of the 
bolts and PLI washers, if necessary; and replacement of the bushing or 
repair of the bushing installation, if necessary. You may examine the 
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0120.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued Alert Service Bulletin 215-A3173, dated 
April 11, 2012, and Alert Service Bulletin 215-A4453, dated April 10, 
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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 5 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.........................  4 work-hours x $85 per hour              $0            $340          $1,700
                                      = $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs or 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these repairs or replacements:

[[Page 11024]]

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement................................  4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340.              $0            $340
Repair.....................................  4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340.               0             340
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 adding the following new AD:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2014-0120; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NM-056-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 14, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Bombardier, Inc. airplanes, certificated 
in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this 
AD.
    (1) Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T Variant) airplanes, serial 
numbers 1056, 1057, 1061, 1080, 1109, 1113, 1114, 1115, 1116, 1117, 
1118, 1119, 1120, 1121, 1122, and 1125.
    (2) Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) airplanes, serial numbers 
2001 through 2067 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 54, Nacelles/
Pylons.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by several reports indicating that shorter 
nacelle strut bushings were inadvertently installed on certain 
airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct inadequate 
nacelle strut bushings, which provide insufficient engagement in the 
strut fork end, and could deform under the bearing load and lead to 
the failure of the joint.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection of the Bushing

    Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
general visual inspection to determine the part number of the left 
and right nacelle upper strut bushings, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 
215-A3173, dated April 11, 2012 (for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T 
Variant) airplanes); or Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 215-A4453, 
dated April 10, 2012 (for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) 
airplanes).
    (1) If any bushing with part number (P/N) 85410265-103 is 
installed: Before further flight, install the bolts and preload 
indicating (PLI) washers, in accordance with paragraph 2.G. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 
215-A3173, dated April 11, 2012 (for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T 
Variant) airplanes); or Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 215-A4453, 
dated April 10, 2012 (for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) 
airplanes).
    (2) If any bushing with P/N 85410265-105 is installed in either 
the left or right nacelle: Do the actions in paragraph (h) of this 
AD.

(h) Replacement or Repair of the Bushing

    If any bushing with P/N 85410265-105 is found installed during 
the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further 
flight, do the actions specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of 
this AD.
    (1) Replace the bushing in accordance with paragraph 2.E. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 
215-A3173, dated April 11, 2012 (for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T 
Variant) airplanes); or Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 215-A4453, 
dated April 10, 2012 (for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) 
airplanes); and continue with the installation of bolt and PLI 
washer, in accordance with paragraph 2.G. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 215-A3173, dated 
April 11, 2012 (for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T Variant) airplanes); 
or Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 215-A4453, dated April 10, 2012 
(for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) airplanes).
    (2) Repair the bushing in accordance with paragraph 2.F. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 
215-A3173, dated April 11, 2012 (for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T 
Variant) airplanes); or Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 215-A4453, 
dated April 10, 2012 (for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) 
airplanes); and continue with the installation of bolt and PLI 
washer, in accordance with paragraph 2.G. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 215-A3173, dated 
April 11, 2012 (for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T Variant) airplanes); 
or Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 215-A4453, dated April 10, 2012 
(for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) airplanes).

(i) Replacement of Repaired Bushing

    For any bushing that has been repaired as specified in paragraph 
(h)(2) of this AD: Within 5,000 flight hours after accomplishing the 
repair or at the next engine removal,

[[Page 11025]]

whichever occurs first, replace the bushing with P/N 85410265-103, 
in accordance with paragraph 2.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 215-A3173, dated April 11, 2012 
(for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T Variant) airplanes); or Bombardier 
Alert Service Bulletin 215-A4453, dated April 10, 2012 (for Model 
CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) airplanes); and continue with the 
installation of bolt and PLI washer, in accordance with paragraph 
2.G. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service 
Bulletin 215-A3173, dated April 11, 2012 (for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-
215T Variant) airplanes); or Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 215-
A4453, dated April 10, 2012 (for Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) 
airplanes).

(j) No Further Action Required

    (1) For airplanes on which a general visual inspection specified 
in paragraph (g) of this AD is done and it is determined that the 
nacelle strut bushings having P/N 85410265-103 are installed in the 
airplane: No further actions are required by this AD, provided the 
actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD have been done.
    (2) For airplanes on which nacelle strut bushings having P/N 
85410265-103 are installed as specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (i) 
of this AD, no further actions are required by this AD.

(k) 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. 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, use these actions if they 
are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if 
they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its 
delegated agent, or the DAH with a State of Design Authority's 
design organization approval). For a repair method to be approved, 
the repair approval must specifically refer to this AD. You are 
required to ensure the product is airworthy before it is returned to 
service.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2013-06, dated February 
27, 2013, 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 it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0120.
    (2) For service information identified in this 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 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 14, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04260 Filed 2-26-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P