[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9302-9304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4002]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-239-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), 
-2A12 (CL-601), -2B16 (CL-601-3A, -3R), and -2B19 (Regional Jet Series 
100) Series Airplanes, Equipped with Sundstrand Air Driven Generator 
(ADG) Uplock Assembly

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-
1A11, -2A12, -2B16, and -2B19 series airplanes. This proposal would 
require an inspection to verify the proper operation of the uplock 
latch of the air driven generator (ADG), and replacement of the uplock 
latch with a serviceable part, if necessary. This proposal would also 
require replacing the uplock assembly with a modified uplock assembly, 
and performing a rigging inspection. This proposal is prompted by a 
report indicating that, upon operation of the manual release system, 
the ADG did not deploy due to failure of the shaft pin. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the 
shaft pin, which could lead to the inability of the pilot to manually 
deploy the ADG when necessary (i.e., when an airplane's primary 
electrical power sources are lost and the ADG fails to deploy 
automatically).

DATES: Comments must be received by March 31, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-239-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 
6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. This 
information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth 
Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wing Chan, Electronics Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANE-173, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, 
Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7511; 
fax (516) 568-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such [[Page 9303]] written data, views, or 
arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules 
Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified 
above. All communications received on or before the closing date for 
comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on 
the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be 
changed in light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 94-NM-239-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 94-NM-239-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    Transport Canada Aviation, which is the airworthiness authority for 
Canada, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on 
certain Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), -2A12 (CL-601), -2B16 
(CL-601-3A, -3R), and -2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) series airplanes, 
equipped with a certain Sundstrand air driven generator (ADG) uplock 
assembly. Transport Canada Aviation advises that, upon operation of the 
manual release system, the air driven generator (ADG) did not deploy. 
Investigation has revealed that the cause of this failure has been 
attributed to a broken shaft pin in the ADG uplock assembly. Failure of 
the shaft pin could lead to the inability of the pilot to manually 
deploy the ADG when necessary (i.e., when an airplane's primary 
electrical power sources are lost and the ADG fails to deploy 
automatically). If this were to occur, all electrical power on the 
airplane would be lost.
    Bombardier has issued Canadair Regional Jet Alert Service Bulletin 
S.B. A1601R-24-019, Revision `A', dated August 9, 1994 (for Model CL-
600-2B19 series airplanes); Canadair Challenger Service Bulletin 600-
0638, dated April 25, 1994 (for Model CL-600-1A11 series airplanes); 
and Canadair Challenger Service Bulletin 601-0430, dated April 25, 1994 
(for Model CL-600-2A12 and -2B16 series airplanes). These service 
bulletins describe procedures for a one-time inspection to verify the 
proper operation of the uplock latch of the ADG, and replacement of the 
uplock latch with a serviceable part, if the uplock latch cannot be 
activated. These service bulletins also describe procedures for 
replacing the uplock assembly with a modified uplock assembly, and 
performing a rigging inspection. Transport Canada Aviation classified 
these service bulletins as mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness 
directive CF-94-14, dated September 7, 1994 (for Model CL-600-2B19 
series airplanes); and Canadian airworthiness directive CF-94-13, dated 
September 1, 1994 (for Model CL-600-1A11, -2A12, and -2B16 series 
airplanes); in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in Canada.
    This airplane model is manufactured in Canada and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the Transport Canada Aviation has 
kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has 
examined the findings of the Transport Canada Aviation, reviewed all 
available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for 
products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the 
United States.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require a one-time 
inspection to verify the proper operation of the uplock latch of the 
ADG, and replacement of the uplock latch with a serviceable part, if 
the uplock latch cannot be activated. The proposed AD would also 
require replacing the uplock assembly with a modified uplock assembly, 
and performing a rigging inspection. The actions would be required to 
be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described 
previously.
    As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general, 
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes 
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that 
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA 
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision 
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered 
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance 
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval 
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with 
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has 
been included in this notice to clarify this requirement.
    The FAA estimates that 194 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 6 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $69,840, or $360 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ``ADDRESSES.'' 
[[Page 9304]] 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Bombardier Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Docket 94-NM-239-AD.

    Applicability: Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes, 
serial numbers 1004 through 1085 inclusive; Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-
601) series airplanes, serial numbers 3001 through 3066 inclusive; 
Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, -3R) series airplanes, serial numbers 
5001 through 5150 inclusive; Model CL-500-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 
100) series airplanes, serial numbers 7003 through 7040 inclusive; 
equipped with Sundstrand air driven generator (ADG) uplock assembly 
having part number 721863, 721863A, or 721863B; certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the shaft pin, which could lead to the 
inability of the pilot to manually deploy the air driven generator 
(ADG) when necessary (i.e., when an airplane's primary electrical 
power sources are lost and the ADG fails to deploy automatically), 
accomplish the following:
    (a) For Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) series 
airplanes equipped with Sundstrand ADG uplock assembly having P/N 
721863B: Accomplish paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3), in 
accordance with Canadair Alert Service Bulletin S.B. 1601R-24-019, 
Revision `A', dated August 9, 1994.
    (1) Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform an inspection to verify the proper operation of the uplock 
latch of the ADG, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of the service bulletin. If the uplock latch cannot be activated, 
prior to further flight, replace the uplock latch with a serviceable 
part in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (2) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the uplock assembly with a modified uplock assembly, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service 
bulletin.
    (3) After accomplishment of paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this 
AD, perform a rigging inspection in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
    (b) For Model CL-600-2A12, CL-2B16, and CL-600-1A11 series 
airplanes: Accomplish paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3), in 
accordance with Canadair Service Bulletin 600-0638, dated April 25, 
1994 (for Model CL-600-1A11 series airplanes), or Canadair Service 
Bulletin 601-0430, dated April 25, 1994 (for Model CL-600-2A12 and -
2B15 series airplanes), as applicable.
    (1) Within 150 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
perform an inspection to verify the proper operation of the uplock 
latch of the ADG, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of the applicable service bulletin. If the uplock latch cannot be 
activated, prior to further flight, replace the uplock latch with a 
serviceable part, in accordance with the applicable service 
bulletin.
    (2) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the uplock assembly with a modified uplock assembly, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
service bulletin.
    (3) After accomplishment of paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this 
AD, perform a rigging inspection in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, New York ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the New York ACO.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 13, 1995.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-4002 Filed 2-16-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U