Document ID: FAA-2017-0691-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes
Posted Date: 2017-07-17T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 135 (Monday, July 17, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32652-32654]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14593]

[[Page 32652]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0691; Directorate Identifier 2017-NM-029-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-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-
601 Variant), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and CL-601-3R Variants) 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of laminated shims 
that may have been improperly installed at a certain wing tie beam. 
This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection 
program to incorporate certification maintenance requirement tasks that 
introduce revised checks of the tie beam. We are proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 31, 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-
0691; 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: Aziz Ahmed, Airframe Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 
NY 11590; telephone: 516-228-7329; fax: 516-794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0691; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NM-029-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-
2016-34, dated October 14, 2016 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ''the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-
1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601 Variant), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A 
and CL-601-3R Variants) airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Bombardier has determined that laminated shims may have been 
improperly installed at the floor/wing tie beam bumper pads. 
Improperly installed shims may become damaged, which could result in 
a gapping condition. This would lead to increased stress and 
degradation of structural integrity of the tie beam. Undetected 
failure may lead to premature cracking of the pressure floor.
    Bombardier has introduced revised maintenance tasks through 
revisions of the applicable CL-600 Time Limits Maintenance Checks 
(TLMCs) to confirm structural integrity of the affected tie beam.
    This [Canadian] AD is issued to mandate the incorporation of the 
applicable revised TLMC tasks.

    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-
0691.
    This proposed AD will require revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). 
Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For 
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in 
the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph 
(i)(1) of this proposed AD. The request should include a description of 
changes to the required actions that will ensure the continued 
operational safety of the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed the following Bombardier, Inc., service information.
     Task 53-10-00-131 of Section 5-10-30, ``Airworthiness 
Limitation Checks by ATA Chapter Number,'' of Bombardier Challenger 600 
Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Publication Number PSP 605, Revision 
37, dated April 29, 2016.
     Task 53-10-00-133 of Section 5-10-30, ``Airworthiness 
Limitation Checks by ATA Chapter Number,'' of Bombardier Challenger 601 
Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Publication Number PSP 601-5, Revision 
44, dated April 29, 2016.
     Task 53-10-00-134 of Section 5-10-30, ``Airworthiness 
Limitation Checks by ATA Chapter Number,'' of Bombardier Challenger 601 
Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Publication Number PSP 601A-5, Revision 
40, dated April 29, 2016.
    The service information identifies airworthiness limitation tasks 
for checks of the pressure floor at a certain wing tie beam. These 
documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane models. 
This service information is reasonably available because the

[[Page 32653]]

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 137 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance or inspection program       1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85         $11,645
 revision.                               hour = $85 per airplane.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-2017-0691; Directorate Identifier 
2017-NM-029-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 31, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) 
airplanes, serial numbers 1004 through 1085 inclusive; Model CL-600-
2A12 airplanes (CL-601 Variant), serial numbers 3001 through 3066 
inclusive; and Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and CL-601-3R Variants) 
airplanes, serial numbers 5001 through 5194 inclusive; certificated 
in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of laminated shims that may 
have been improperly installed at a certain wing tie beam. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct degradation of the structural 
integrity of the affected tie beam, which could result in cracking 
of the pressure floor.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the 
certification maintenance requirement (CMR) tasks specified in the 
applicable service information in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(3) 
of this AD. The initial compliance time for the task is within the 
applicable time specified in the service information, or within 30 
days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (1) For Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) airplanes: Task 53-10-00-131 
of Section 5-10-30, ``Airworthiness Limitation Checks by ATA Chapter 
Number,'' of Bombardier Challenger 600 Time Limits/Maintenance 
Checks, Publication Number PSP 605, Revision 37, dated April 29, 
2016.
    (2) For Model CL-600-2A12 airplanes (CL-601 Variant) airplanes: 
Task 53-10-00-133 of Section 5-10-30, ``Airworthiness Limitation 
Checks by ATA Chapter Number,'' of Bombardier Challenger 601 Time 
Limits/Maintenance Checks, Publication Number PSP 601-5, Revision 
44, dated April 29, 2016.
    (3) For Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and CL-601-3R Variants) 
airplanes: Task 53-10-00-134 of Section 5-10-30, ``Airworthiness 
Limitation Checks by ATA Chapter Number,'' of Bombardier Challenger 
601 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Publication Number PSP 601A-5, 
Revision 40, dated April 29, 2016.

(h) No Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or 
intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) 
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i)(1) of 
this AD.

[[Page 32654]]

(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 manager of 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2016-34, dated October 
14, 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-2017-0691.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact: Aziz Ahmed, 
Airframe Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, 
FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart 
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 516-228-7329; fax: 
516-794-5531; email: Aziz.Ahmed@faa.gov.
    (3) 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 June 29, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-14593 Filed 7-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P