Document ID: FAA-2017-0124-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2017-02-28T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 28, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12071-12074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03712]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0124; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-166-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

[[Page 12072]]

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 BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This proposed AD 
was prompted by several reports of nose wheel steering failures in 
service. This proposed AD would require a part verification and 
replacement of certain steering manifolds. We are proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 14, 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., 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-2017-
0124; 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-2017-0124; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-166-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-
2016-24, dated August 19, 2016 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-100-1A10 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Several cases of nose wheel steering failures have been reported 
in service. In one case, the aeroplane experienced uncommanded nose 
wheel steering, resulting in a runway excursion.
    Investigations found the presence of moisture inside the 
electrical stage of the electro-hydraulic servo valve (EHSV) unit, 
which resulted in low insulation resistance and corrosion. This 
condition, in combination with a steering selector valve failure, 
could result in uncommanded nose wheel steering, which could lead to 
a runway excursion at high speed.
    This [Canadian] AD mandates the replacement of the steering 
manifold to provide better moisture ingress protection of the EHSV.

    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-
0124.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-32-25, Revision 01, 
dated June 30, 2015. This service information describes procedures for 
a one-time verification of the steering manifold part number and 
replacement of the steering manifold and mod plate. 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 161 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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              Action                      Labor cost                 Parts cost                   Cost per  product            Cost on U.S. operators
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Steering manifold part              1 work-hour x $85 per  $0............................  $85...........................  $13,685
 verification.                       hour = $85.
Replacement of steering manifold..  Up to 4 work-hours x   Up to $18,522.................  Up to $18,862.................  Up to $3,036,782
                                     $85 per hour = $340.
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[[Page 12073]]

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2017-0124; Directorate Identifier 
2016-NM-166-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 14, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 100-32-25, Revision 01, dated June 30, 2015.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by several reports of nose wheel steering 
failures in service. We are issuing this AD to prevent moisture from 
entering the electrical stage of the electro-hydraulic servo valve 
(EHSV), which could lead to uncommanded nose wheel steering, and a 
consequent runway excursion at high speed.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Verification and Replacement of Steering Manifold

    Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD, do a one-
time inspection to determine the part number of the steering 
manifold, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-32-25, Revision 01, dated June 30, 
2015.
    (1) If the airplane has steering manifold part number (P/N) 
40750-103, within 48 months after the effective date of this AD, 
write ``SB100-32-018'' on the nose landing gear (NLG) mod plate. If 
the mod plate is missing or full, within 48 months after the 
effective date of this AD, install a new plate, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-
32-25, Revision 01, dated June 30, 2015.
    (2) If the airplane has steering manifold P/N 40750-101, within 
48 months after the effective date of this AD, replace it in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 100-32-25, Revision 01, dated June 30, 2015, and 
write ``SB100-32-018'' on the NLG mod plate. If the mod plate is 
missing or full, within 48 months after the effective date of this 
AD, install a new plate, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-32-25, Revision 01, 
dated June 30, 2015.

(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 Service Bulletin 100-32-25, dated 
September 24, 2014.

(i) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
steering manifold, P/N 40750-101, on the nose landing gear assembly 
of any airplane.

(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.
    (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, 
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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2016-24, dated August 19, 
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-2017-0124.
    (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.

[[Page 12074]]

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 15, 2017.
Thomas Groves,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-03712 Filed 2-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P