Document ID: FAA-2014-0175-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-03-28T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17453-17455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06912]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0175; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-014-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-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 
440) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that elevator 
power control unit (PCU) shear pins may fail prematurely. This proposed 
AD would require repetitive replacement of the elevator PCU shear pins. 
We are proposing this AD to prevent PCU failure of elevator PCU sheer 
pins. If all pins fail on one elevator, the elevator surface would 
become inoperative, which could reduce the controllability of the 
airplane and could result in a loss of redundancy for flutter 
prevention.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 12, 2014.

[[Page 17454]]

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0175; 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: Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 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 proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0175; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-014-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 (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2014-04, dated January 13, 2014 (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 found that the elevator power control unit (PCU) shear 
pins may fail prematurely. The failure of an elevator PCU shear pin 
is dormant. There are three PCUs on each elevator. If all three PCU 
shear pins failed on one elevator, the elevator surface would become 
inoperative, which could reduce the controllability of the aeroplane 
and could result in a loss of redundancy for flutter prevention.
    This [Canadian] AD mandates the repetitive replacement of the 
elevator PCU shear pins to prevent premature elevator PCU shear pin 
failures.

    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-2014-0175.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 601R-55-008, Revision B, 
dated March 12, 2014. 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 575 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 4 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 $41 
per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $219,075, or $381 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

[[Page 17455]]

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. Amend Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2014-0175; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-014-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 12, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional 
Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, certificated in any category, 
serial numbers 7003 and subsequent.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of the possibility that elevator 
power control unit (PCU) shear pins may fail prematurely. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent PCU failure of elevator PCU sheer pins. 
If all pins fail on one elevator, the elevator surface would become 
inoperative, which could reduce the controllability of the airplane 
and could result in a loss of redundancy for flutter prevention.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Replacements

    Within 6,600 flight hours or 48 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Replace the elevator PCU shear 
pins, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-55-008, Revision B, dated March 12, 
2014. Repeat the replacement thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
6,600 flight hours or 48 months from the most recent replacement, 
whichever occurs first.

(h) Optional Method for Replacement

    Replacing the elevator PCU shear pins, using a method approved 
by the Program Manager, Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York 
ACO; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) (or its delegated 
agent, or the Design Approval Holder (DAH) with TCCA design 
organization approval) as applicable, is a method of compliance for 
any replacement required by paragraph (g) of this AD. For a 
replacement method to be approved, the replacement approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.

    Note 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD:  Guidance for doing 
replacements specified in paragraph (h) of this AD may be found in 
Canadair Regional Jet Model CL-600-2B19 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, 
CSP A-001, Task Number 55-21-27-960-802.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for action required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if the action was performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-55-008, dated 
July 12, 2013; or Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-55-008, Revision 
A, dated January 8, 2014, which are not incorporated by reference in 
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 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). You are required to ensure the 
product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2014-04, dated January 
13, 2014, 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-2014-0175.
    (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 March 19, 2014.
Ross Landes,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06912 Filed 3-27-14; 8:45 am]
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