Document ID: FAA-2017-0252-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes
Posted Date: 2017-04-26T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 26, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19179-19181]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-08184]

 ========================================================================
 Rules and Regulations
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
 having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
 to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
 under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
 
 The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 26, 2017 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 19179]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0252; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-187-AD; 
Amendment 39-18863; AD 2017-09-01]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) 
airplanes. This AD requires a detailed inspection of the circuit 
breakers, replacement of damaged circuit breakers, and installation of 
a circuit breaker bushing assembly. This AD was prompted by a report of 
cracks found in the plastic casing of cockpit circuit breaker panels. 
We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 11, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 11, 
2017.
    We must receive comments on this AD by June 12, 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: 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 final rule, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec 
H4S 1Y9, Canada; Widebody Customer Response Center North America toll-
free telephone 1-866-538-1247 or direct-dial telephone 1-514-855-2999; 
fax 514-855-7401; email ac.yul@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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0252.

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-
0252; 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 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:

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2016-30, dated September 21, 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-
2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. The MCAI states:

    It was discovered during an inspection that circuit breakers 
installed on the cockpit circuit breaker panels may have cracks in 
the plastic casing. The damage was found on a Bombardier CL-600-2E25 
production aeroplane following a routine functional test procedure. 
A fleet inspection also found similar damage on the in-service 
aeroplanes.
    Cracked circuit breakers can allow moisture ingress and damage 
the interior of the circuit breaker and circuit breaker panels 
resulting in a malfunction of the affected circuit breaker and the 
potential loss of power to multiple airplane systems.

    Corrective actions include inspecting the circuit breakers for any 
cracks or signs of damage (including small white lines on the casing), 
replacing any cracked or damaged circuit breakers, and installing a 
circuit breaker bushing assembly. You may examine the MCAI on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2017-0252.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier, Inc., has issued Service Bulletin 670BA-24-037, 
Revision A, dated July 11, 2016. The service information describes a 
detailed visual inspection of each circuit breaker for any cracks or 
signs of damage, replacement of damaged circuit breakers, and 
installation of a circuit breaker bushing assembly. 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 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 issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

[[Page 19180]]

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since there are currently no domestic operators of this product, 
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are 
unnecessary.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0252; Directorate 
Identifier 2016-NM-187-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Currently, there are no affected U.S.-registered airplanes. If an 
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future, we provide the following cost estimates to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection....................................  3 work-hours x $85 per hour =                 $0            $255
                                                 $255.
Installation of bushing assembly..............  43 work-hours x $85 per hour =                 0           3,655
                                                 $3,655.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, we estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour for 
each circuit breaker requiring replacement and will require parts 
costing $0, for a cost of $85 per circuit breaker. We have no way of 
determining the number of aircraft that might need this action.

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 AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
    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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2017-09-01 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-18863; Docket No. FAA-
2017-0252; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-187-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective May 11, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional 
Jet Series 1000) airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-037, Revision A, 
dated July 11, 2016.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical 
power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of cracks found in the plastic 
casing of cockpit circuit breaker panels. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct cracked circuit breaker casings, which could 
allow moisture ingress that could result in the malfunction of 
affected circuit breakers, and the potential loss of power to 
multiple airplane systems.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection and Replacement of Damaged Cockpit Panel Circuit 
Breakers

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) 
of this AD: Do a detailed visual inspection for any cracks or signs 
of damage on each circuit breaker in the cockpit circuit breaker 
panels, and replace any cracked or damaged circuit breakers, in 
accordance with ``Part A--Inspection and Replacement of the Damaged 
Cockpit Panel Circuit Breakers,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-037, Revision A, dated July 
11, 2016. Replace any cracked or damaged circuit breakers before 
further flight.
    (1) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 10,000 total 
flight hours as of the effective date of this AD: Before the 
accumulation of 12,600 total flight hours.
    (2) For airplanes that have accumulated 10,000 or more total 
flight hours as of the effective date of this AD: Within 2,000 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD.

[[Page 19181]]

(h) Installation and Inspection of the Cockpit Panel Circuit Breaker 
Bushing Assembly

    At the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) 
of this AD: Install a cockpit breaker bushing assembly, and do a 
detailed visual inspection of each circuit breaker for cracks or 
damage, in accordance with ``Part B--Installation of the Cockpit 
Panel Circuit Breakers Bushings assembly,'' of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-037, Revision 
A, dated July 11, 2016. Replace any cracked or damaged circuit 
breakers before further flight, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-
037, Revision A, dated July 11, 2016. Installing the cockpit panel 
circuit breaker bushing assembly is acceptable for compliance with 
the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 10,000 total 
flight hours as of the effective date of this AD: Before the 
accumulation of 12,600 total flight hours.
    (2) For airplanes that have accumulated 10,000 or more total 
flight hours as of the effective date of this AD: Within 2,000 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD.

(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 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

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2016-30, dated September 21, 
2016, for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2017-0252.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-037, Revision A, dated 
July 11, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (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; Widebody Customer Response Center 
North America toll-free telephone 1-866-538-1247 or direct-dial 
telephone 1-514-855-2999; fax 514-855-7401; email 
ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; Internet http://www.bombardier.com.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 14, 2017.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-08184 Filed 4-25-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P