Document ID: FAA-2014-0250-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-04-21T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 76 (Monday, April 21, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22069-22071]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08986]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0250; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-165-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-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variant) airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of in-flight uncommanded 
rudder movements. This proposed AD would require revising the airplane 
flight manual (AFM) to incorporate an uncommanded yaw motion procedure. 
We are proposing this AD to prevent in-flight uncommanded rudder 
movements, which could lead to structural failure and subsequent loss 
of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 5, 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://

[[Page 22070]]

www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0250; 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: Luke Walker, 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 516-228-7363; 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-2014-0250; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-165-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-
2013-22, dated August 12, 2013 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 
Variant) airplanes. The MCAI states:

    There have been several reported incidents where Bombardier 
Regional Jet aeroplanes experienced in-flight uncommanded rudder 
movements. Investigation revealed that a failure of the voltage 
regulator inside the yaw damper actuator could lead to uncommanded 
yaw movement. If not corrected, this condition could lead to 
structural failure and the subsequent loss of the aeroplane.
    Since the Challenger 604 aeroplanes have the same system, and 
can also experience a similar problem of uncommanded yaw movement, 
Transport Canada is issuing this [Canadian] AD that mandates the 
introduction of an emergency procedure to the Aeroplane Flight 
Manual (AFM) to address the above-mentioned unsafe condition.

    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-2014-
0250.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued emergency procedures for the applicable 
AFMs:
     For Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variant) airplanes having 
serial numbers (S/Ns) 5301 through 5665 inclusive: Procedure 1.C., 
Uncommanded Yaw Motion, of Section 03-06, Automatic Flight Control 
System, of Chapter 3--Emergency Procedures, of the Bombardier 
Challenger CL-604 AFM, PSP 604-1, Revision 89, dated July 8, 2013; and
     For Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variant) airplanes having S/
Ns 5701 and subsequent: Procedure 1.C., Uncommanded Yaw Motion, of 
Section 03-06, Automatic Flight Control System, of Chapter 3--Emergency 
Procedures, of the Bombardier Challenger CL-605 AFM, PSP 605-1, 
Revision 25, dated July 8, 2013.
    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 116 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour 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 $0 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $9,860, or $85 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 22071]]

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-2014-0250; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NM-165-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 5, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 
Variants) airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 
(S/Ns) 5301 through 5665 inclusive, and 5701 and subsequent.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 22, Autopilot 
System; and Code 27, Rudder Actuator.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight uncommanded rudder 
movements. We are issuing this AD to prevent in-flight uncommanded 
rudder movements, which could lead to structural failure and 
subsequent loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
Emergency Procedures Section of the applicable Bombardier AFM to 
incorporate the uncommanded yaw motion procedure specified in 
paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variant) airplanes having S/Ns 
5301 through 5665 inclusive: Procedure 1.C., Uncommanded Yaw Motion, 
of Section 03-06, Automatic Flight Control System, of Chapter 3--
Emergency Procedures, of the Bombardier Challenger CL-604 AFM, PSP 
604-1, Revision 89, dated July 8, 2013.
    (2) For Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variant) airplanes having S/Ns 
5701 and subsequent: Procedure 1.C., Uncommanded Yaw Motion, of 
Section 03-06, Automatic Flight Control System, of Chapter 3--
Emergency Procedures, of the Bombardier Challenger CL-605 AFM, PSP 
605-1, Revision 25, dated July 8, 2013.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, FAA, 
New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, 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 New York 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 Design Approval Holder with a State of 
Design Authority's design organization approval, as applicable). You 
are required to ensure the product is airworthy before it is 
returned to service.

(i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2013-22, dated August 12, 
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 Docket No. FAA-2014-0250.
    (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 April 14, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-08986 Filed 4-18-14; 8:45 am]
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