Document ID: FAA-2015-0074-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2015-01-23T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 15 (Friday, January 23, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3498-3500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00960]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 15 / Friday, January 23, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 3498]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0074; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-138-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-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that 
without an effective maintenance task to maintain the airplane's 
inherent level of safety, there is a potential that a dormant failure 
of the alternate release system of the landing gear could occur. This 
proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to incorporate a maintenance task for an 
operational check of the electro-mechanical actuator (EMA) and release 
mechanism of the alternate extension system (AES) for the nose landing 
gear (NLG) and main landing gear (MLG). We are proposing this AD to 
prevent failure of the alternate release system of the landing gear, 
which could prevent the landing gear from extending during a failure of 
the normal landing gear extension system.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 9, 2015.

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 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-2015-
0074; 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, 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-2015-0074; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-138-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-
2014-16, dated June 11, 2014 (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:

    During a design review, an error was identified which led to the 
development of a new certification maintenance requirement (CMR) 
task. Without an effective maintenance task to maintain the 
aeroplane's inherent level of safety, there is a potential that a 
dormant failure of the alternate release system of the landing gear 
could occur. Failure of the landing gear alternate release system 
could prevent the landing gear from extending in the case of a 
failure of the normal landing gear extension system.
    This [TCCA] AD mandates the incorporation of a new maintenance 
task to ensure operation of the landing gear alternate extension 
system.

    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-2015-
0074.

Related Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued Temporary Revision (TR) ALI-0472, dated 
February 27, 2014, to Section 1-32, of Part 2, Bombardier Airworthiness 
Limitations, of the CRJ Series Regional Jet Maintenance Requirements 
Manual, CSP B-053. This service information describes a maintenance 
task for an operational check of the electro-mechanical actuator and 
release mechanism of the alternate extension system for the nose 
landing gear and main landing gear. The actions described in this 
service information are

[[Page 3499]]

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 this same 
type design.
    This AD requires 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 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 AD. The request 
should include a description of changes to the required inspections 
that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 35 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. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $2,975, 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:

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-2015-0074; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-138-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 9, 2015.

(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, serial 
numbers 19002 and subsequent.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that without an 
effective maintenance task to maintain the airplane's inherent level 
of safety, there is a potential that a dormant failure of the 
alternate release system of the landing gear can occur. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the alternate release system 
of the landing gear, which could prevent the landing gear from 
extending during a failure of the normal landing gear extension 
system.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Revise Maintenance Program

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate 
Task 32-01-00-101, ``Operational Check of the MLG [Main Landing 
Gear] and NLG [Nose Landing Gear] AES [Alternate Extension System] 
EMA [Electro-mechanical Actuator] and Release Mechanism (CRJ1000),'' 
for the operational check of the MLG and NLG AES EMA and release 
mechanism, as specified in Bombardier Temporary Revision (TR) ALI-
0472, dated February 27, 2014, to Section 1-32 of Part 2, Bombardier 
Airworthiness Limitations, of the CRJ Series Regional Jet, 
Maintenance Requirements Manual, CSP B-053. The initial compliance 
times for the actions specified in Bombardier TR ALI-0472, dated 
February 27, 2014, are at the applicable time specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes that have accumulated 540 total flight hours 
or more as of the effective date of this AD: Within 660 flight hours 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 540 total 
flight hours as of the effective date of this AD: Before the 
accumulation of 1,200 total flight hours.

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After accomplishing the revision 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.

(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

[[Page 3500]]

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) 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 the Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or 
Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Organization Approval (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-2014-16, dated June 11, 
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 Docket No. FAA-2015-0074.
    (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 January 14, 2015.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-00960 Filed 1-22-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P