Document ID: FAA-2016-3989-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2016-03-04T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11471-11473]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04561]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-3989; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-220-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 BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by in-service reports of passenger door 
tensator spring failures, and qualification testing that determined 
that non-conforming tensator springs could be susceptible to failure 
prior to reaching their safe-life limit. This proposed AD would require 
revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate certain 
temporary revisions, and replacing the passenger door tensator springs 
with new springs. We are proposing this AD to prevent tensator spring 
failure, resulting in the inability to open the main passenger door, 
which could impede evacuation in the event of an emergency.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 18, 2016.

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 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-2016-
3989; 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: Fabio Buttitta, 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: 516-228-7303; 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-2016-3989; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-220-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-
2014-39,

[[Page 11472]]

dated November 4, 2014 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-
700-1A11 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Following the issuance of [Canadian] AD CF-2010-14 [http://wwwapps3.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/cawis-swimn/awd-display-cs2101-wnd.asp?rand=&vMode=0&showPdf=False&ovid=CF_CF-2010-14_0], 
additional qualification testing of the passenger door tensator 
spring, Part Number (P/N) GS321-0580-1, determined that the tensator 
springs could be susceptible to failure prior to reaching the life 
limit mandated by [Canadian] AD CF-2010-14.
    In addition, there have been in-service reports of passenger 
door tensator spring failures. Investigation determined that the 
material used to manufacture the tensator springs [was] improperly 
heat treated.
    The passenger door assembly is installed with four tensator 
springs that assist the door actuator in opening and closing the 
door. In-service experience has shown that a failed tensator spring 
could uncoil and foul up the rotating tensator spools, resulting in 
the inability to open the main passenger door. The inability to open 
the main passenger door could impede evacuation in the event of an 
emergency.
    This [Canadian] AD mandates the revision to the approved 
maintenance schedule to reduce the repetitive discard task interval 
and mandates the replacement of non-conforming tensator springs.

    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-2016-
3989.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed the following Bombardier, Inc. service information:
     Bombardier Global 5000 Service Bulletin 700-1A11-52-023, 
dated October 4, 2013.
     Bombardier Global Express/Global Express XRS Service 
Bulletin 700-52-046, dated October 4, 2013.
     Temporary Revision (TR) 5-2-7, dated June 4, 2014, to Part 
2, Section 5-10-11, of Bombardier Global Express XRS BD-700 Time 
Limits/Maintenance Checks.
     TR 5-2-10, dated September 9, 2014, to Part 2, Section 5-
10-11, of Bombardier Global 6000 GL 6000 Time Limits/Maintenance 
Checks.
     TR 5-2-13, dated June 4, 2014, to Part 2, Section 5-10-11, 
of Bombardier Global 5000 BD-700 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks.
     TR 5-2-44, dated June 4, 2014, to Part 2, Section 5-10-11, 
of Bombardier Global Express BD-700 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks.
    The service information describes procedures for replacing 
passenger door tensator springs with new springs. 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 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 these 
same type designs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 60 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 40 work-hours 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 $204,000, or 
$3,400 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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-2016-3989; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-220-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 18, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-
700-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 
9002 and subsequent.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

[[Page 11473]]

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by in-service reports of passenger door 
tensator spring failures, and qualification testing that determined 
that incorrect tensator springs could be susceptible to failure 
prior to reaching their safe-life limit. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent tensator spring failure, resulting in the inability to open 
the main passenger door, which could impede evacuation in the event 
of an emergency.

(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 
task specified in the Temporary Revisions (TRs) identified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD. The compliance time for 
doing the initial replacement of the passenger door tensator springs 
with new springs is at the times specified in the applicable TR 
specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD, or within 
30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (1) TR 5-2-7, dated June 4, 2014, to Part 2, Section 5-10-11, of 
Bombardier Global Express XRS BD-700 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks 
(for Model BD-700-1A10 airplanes).
    (2) TR 5-2-10, dated September 9, 2014, to Part 2, Section 5-10-
11, of Bombardier Global 6000 GL 6000 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks 
(for Model BD-700-1A11 airplanes).
    (3) TR 5-2-13, dated June 4, 2014, to Part 2, Section 5-10-11, 
of Bombardier Global 5000 BD-700 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks (for 
Model BD-700-1A11 airplanes).
    (4) TR 5-2-44, dated June 4, 2014, to Part 2, Section 5-10-11, 
of Bombardier Global Express BD-700 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks 
(for Model BD-700-1A10 airplanes).

(h) No Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals 
may be used unless the actions and intervals are approved as an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD.

(i) Replacement

    For airplanes identified in section 1.A. ``Effectivity,'' of 
Bombardier Global 5000 Service Bulletin 700-1A11-52-023, dated 
October 4, 2013; or Bombardier Global Express/Global Express XRS 
Service Bulletin 700-52-046, dated October 4, 2013; except as 
provided by paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD: Within 15 months 
after the effective date of this AD, but not exceeding the 
applicable life limit of the passenger tensator spring, replace the 
passenger door tensator springs having part number (P/N) GS321-0580-
1, with new springs, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Global 5000 Service Bulletin 700-1A11-52-
023, dated October 4, 2013; or Bombardier Global Express/Global 
Express XRS Service Bulletin 700-52-046, dated October 4, 2013; as 
applicable.

(j) Acceptable Alternative Actions for Paragraph (i) of This AD

    (1) For airplanes having serial numbers (S/N) 9278 through 9360 
inclusive: Replacement of the passenger door tensator springs having 
P/N GS321-0580-1 with new springs before the effective date of this 
AD is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph 
(i) of this AD. Refer to the task specified in the applicable TRs 
identified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD for 
subsequent spring replacements.
    (2) For airplanes with serial numbers not identified in 
paragraph (j)(1) of this AD: Accomplishment after the effective date 
of this AD of the ``Time Limits/Maintenance Checks'' discard task 
identified in the applicable service information specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD is acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD.

(k) 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 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) 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian AD CF-2014-39, dated November 4, 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-2016-3989.
    (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 February 19, 2016.
Dorr M. Anderson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04561 Filed 3-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P