[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 46 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9090-9091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5078]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-272-AD; Amendment 39-9532; AD 96-05-06]


Airworthiness Directives; Canadair Model CL-215-1A10 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Canadair Model CL-215-1A10 series airplanes. This 
action requires a one-time inspection of the main distribution center 
for loose or missing attachment hardware, and correction of any 
discrepancy identified. This amendment is prompted by a report of total 
loss of electrical power on one airplane during flight, which was 
caused by shorting out of the voltage regulator in the main 
distribution center. The actions specified in this AD are intended to 
prevent total electrical failure during flight, which could adversely 
affect the continued safe flight of the airplane.

DATES: Effective March 22, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 22, 1996.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before May 6, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-272-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Bombardier, Inc., Canadair Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station 
Centreville, 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, New York Aircraft Certification 
Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, 
Valley Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Cuneo, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANE-173, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth 
Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 
256-7506; fax (516) 568-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Transport Canada Aviation, which is the 
airworthiness authority for Canada, has notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on all Canadair Model CL-215-1A10 series airplanes. 
Transport Canada Aviation advises that there has been a report of the 
total loss of electrical power on one airplane during flight. 
Investigation revealed that the electrical failure occurred when loose 
hardware (nut and washers) on a terminal from an inverter power relay 
shorted out a voltage regulator in the main distribution center. Total 
loss of electrical power during flight, if not corrected, could 
adversely affect the continued safe flight of the airplane.
    Canadair has issued Alert Service Bulletin 215-A439, dated July 24, 
1991, which describes procedures for inspecting the main distribution 
center and all electrical components for loose attaching hardware, and 
for inspecting the attaching hardware itself for looseness. It also 
provides instructions for:
    1. verifying and adjusting the torque values of those items;
    2. restoring or applying a humiseal coating at required locations;
    3. safety-wiring electrical connectors and components, as 
necessary; and
    4. removing any loose hardware, lockwire, or foreign objects found 
between electrical wires, around electrical components, and at the 
bottom or hidden areas of the main distribution center.
    Transport Canada Aviation classified this service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-91-23, dated 
July 17, 1991, 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 21.19) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, Transport Canada Aviation has kept 
the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined 
the findings of 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, this AD is being issued to prevent total loss of 
electrical power on the airplane. This AD requires a one-time 
inspection to detect looseness of components and attaching hardware of 
the main distribution center, and correction of any discrepancy 
identified. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance 
with the service bulletin described previously.
    None of the Model CL-215-1A10 series airplanes affected by this 
action are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the 
applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators 
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by 
this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary 
to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any 
of these

[[Page 9091]]

subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 2 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be 
$120 per airplane.
    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
rule by submitting such 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 under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-NM-272-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

    96-05-06 Canadair: Amendment 39-9532. Docket 95-NM-272-AD.

    Applicability: Model CL-215-1A10 series airplanes, 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent total loss of electrical power on the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 10 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect the complete main distribution center and all electrical 
components for loose or missing hardware, in accordance with 
paragraphs 2.A., 2.B., 2.C., and 2.D of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Canadair Alert Service Bulletin 215-A439, dated July 
24, 1991. If any discrepancy is identified during the inspection, 
prior to further flight, correct the discrepancy in accordance with 
the alert service bulletin.
    (b) 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.

    (c) 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.
    (d) The inspection and corrective action shall be done in 
accordance with Canadair Alert Service Bulletin 215-A439, dated July 
24, 1991. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bombardier, Inc., 
Canadair Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station Centre-ville, 
Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 
Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, 
Valley Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 22, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 28, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-5078 Filed 3-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U