Document ID: FAA-2012-0725-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier, Inc.
Posted Date: 2012-07-31T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 147 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45288-45290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18585]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0725; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-207-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc.

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-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-
601), CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, & CL-604 Variants) airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking found on the upper 
and lower web of the engine support beam. This proposed AD would 
require revising the maintenance program. We are proposing this AD to 
detect and correct fatigue cracking of the engine support beam, which 
could result in failure of the engine support beam and affect the 
structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 14, 
2012.

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 review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. 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; 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 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: Stephen Kowalski, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New 
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7327; 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-2012-0725; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-207-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-
2011-33, dated August 16, 2011 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    Cracks on the upper and lower web of the Engine Support Beam 
(ESB) have been discovered on two (2) Challenger aeroplanes in 
service. Failure of the ESB could adversely affect the structural 
integrity of the aeroplane.
    A Temporary Revision (TR) has been made to the Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks (TLMC) manual to introduce a new Airworthiness 
Limitations (AWL) task to ensure that fatigue cracking of the ESB is 
detected and corrected.
    This [TCCA] directive mandates the incorporation of the new AWL 
task.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued the following temporary revisions. The 
actions described in this service information are intended to correct 
the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
     Task 53-10-00-198, Torque Box specified in Canadair 
Challenger Temporary Revision (TR) 5-151, dated May 31, 2011, to the 
Canadair Challenger Time Limits/Maintenance Checks Manual, PSP 605 (for 
Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) airplanes).
     Task 53-10-00-198, Engine Support Beam specified in 
Canadair Challenger TR 5-250, dated May 31, 2011, to the Canadair 
Challenger Time Limits/Maintenance Checks Manual, PSP 601-5 (for Model 
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) airplanes).
     Task 53-10-00-198, Engine Support Beam specified in 
Canadair Challenger TR 5-261, dated May 31, 2011, to the Canadair 
Challenger Time Limits/Maintenance Checks Manual, PSP 601A-5 (for Model 
CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and CL-601-3R Variants) airplanes).
     Task 53-30-00-155, Detailed Inspection of the Engine 
Support Beam specified in Bombardier Challenger 604 TR 5-2-47, dated 
May 31, 2011, to the Bombardier Challenger 604 Time Limits/Maintenance 
Checks Manual (for Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variants) airplanes).
     Task 53-30-00-155, Detailed Inspection of the Engine 
Support Beam

[[Page 45289]]

specified in Bombardier Challenger 605 TR 5-2-9, dated May 31, 2011, to 
the Bombardier Challenger 605 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks Manual 
(for Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variants) airplanes).

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

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 111 products 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 the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $9,435, 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2012-0725; Directorate Identifier 
2011-NM-207-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 14, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to the airplane models specified in 
paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (c)(1)(ii), (c)(1)(iii), and (c)(1)(iv) of 
this AD, certificated in any category.
    (i) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), serial numbers 
1004 through 1085 inclusive.
    (ii) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), serial numbers 
3001 through 3066 inclusive.
    (iii) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and CL-601-
3R Variants), serial numbers 5001 through 5194 inclusive.
    (iv) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variants), 
serial numbers 5301 through 5665 inclusive, and 5701 and subsequent.
    (2) This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance 
documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these 
inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have 
been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas 
addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to 
accomplish the inspections 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 (j) of this AD. The request should include a 
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure 
the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA 
has provided guidance for this determination in FAA Advisory 
Circular (AC) 25.1529-1A, dated November 20, 2007 (http://rgl/
Regulatory--and--Guidance--Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/
E4111B5537E0B345862573B0006FA23B?OpenDocument).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Periodic 
Inspections.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracking found on the upper 
and lower web of the engine support beam. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct fatigue cracking of the engine support beam, 
which could result in failure of the engine support beam and affect 
the structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.

(g) Time Limits/Maintenance Checks (TLMC) Manual Revision

    Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance program to incorporate the applicable information 
specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD.
    (1) For Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) airplanes: Task 53-10-00-198, 
Torque Box, specified in Canadair Challenger TR 5-151, dated May 31, 
2011, to the TLMC Manual, PSP 605.
    (2) For Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601 Variant) airplanes: Task 53-
10-00-198, Engine Support Beam, specified in Canadair Challenger TR 
5-250, dated May 31, 2011, to the TLMC Manual, PSP 601-5.
    (3) For Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and CL-601-3B Variant) 
airplanes: Task 53-10-00-198, Engine Support Beam, specified in 
Canadair Challenger TR 5-261, dated May 31, 2011, to the TLMC 
Manual, PSP 601A-5.
    (4) For Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variant) airplanes: Task 53-
30-00-155, Detailed Inspection of the Engine Support Beam, specified 
in Bombardier Challenger 604 TR 5-2-47, dated May 31, 2011, to the 
Bombardier Challenger 604 TLMC Manual; or Task 53-30-00-155, 
Detailed Inspection of the Engine Support Beam, specified in 
Bombardier Challenger 605 TR 5-2-9, dated

[[Page 45290]]

May 31, 2011, to the Bombardier Challenger 605 TLMC Manual.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD:  The maintenance program 
revision required by paragraph (g) of this AD may be done by 
inserting a copy of Bombardier Temporary Revision (TR) 5-151, TR 5-
250, TR 5-261, and TR 5-2-47 or TR 5-2-9, all dated May 31, 2011, 
into the applicable TLMC manual. When the TR has been included in 
general revisions of the TLMC manual, the general revisions may be 
inserted in the TLMC manual, provided the relevant information in 
the general revision is identical to that in the applicable TR 
specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD.

(h) Initial Compliance Times for Inspections

    The initial compliance time for the inspections specified in the 
temporary revisions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of 
this AD, is before the accumulation of 7,800 total flight cycles, or 
within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later.

(i) 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 (j) of this AD.

(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, 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, 
New York 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 or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2011-33, 
dated August 16, 2011, and the temporary revisions specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD, for related 
information.
    (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 review copies of the 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 20, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-18585 Filed 7-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P