[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 179 (Friday, September 13, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48437-48439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23443]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-58-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-8-102, -103, and 
-301 Series Airplanes

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 de Havilland Model DHC-8-
102, -103, and -301 series airplanes. This proposal would require a 
one-time inspection for wear and breakage of wire segments of the 
individual lighting units of the ceiling and sidewall lights, and 
replacement of any damaged wiring. This proposal also would require 
installation of teflon spiral wrap on the wiring of the ceiling and 
sidewall lights. This proposal is prompted by reports of chafing found 
on the electrical wiring of the cabin ceiling lighting system. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the 
possibility of a fire on an airplane due to such chafing and consequent 
short circuiting, overheating, and smoking of the wires on the aircraft 
structure.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 24, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-58-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., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 
Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, 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, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New 
York.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 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 96-NM-58-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.

[[Page 48438]]

96-NM-58-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 de Havilland Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -301 series airplanes. 
Transport Canada Aviation advises that it received reports indicating 
that chafing of the electrical wiring was found at several locations of 
the cabin ceiling lighting system on Model DHC-8 series airplanes. The 
cause of this chafing has been attributed to the routing of the cables; 
this routing allowed the cables to come in contact with the cabin 
interior valence panels. Chafing of the electrical wiring of the cabin 
ceiling lighting system can cause the wires on the aircraft structure 
to short circuit, overheat, and smoke. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in the possibility of fire on the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-35, dated 
September 1, 1995, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection 
for wear and breakage of wire segments of the individual lighting units 
of the ceiling and sidewall lights, and replacement of any damaged 
wiring. The service bulletin also describes procedures for installation 
of teflon spiral wrap on the wiring of the ceiling and sidewall lights 
(Modification 8/2158). Transport Canada Aviation classified this 
service bulletin as mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness 
directive CF-95-18, dated December 15, 1996, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in Canada and are 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, 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.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, the 
proposed AD would require a one-time inspection for wear and breakage 
of wire segments of the individual lighting units of the ceiling and 
sidewall lights, and replacement of any damaged wiring. The proposed AD 
also would require installation of teflon spiral wrap on the wiring of 
the ceiling and sidewall lights. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 73 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 30 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $250 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$149,650, or $2,050 per airplane.
    The 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.

Regulatory Impact

    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.

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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

de Havilland, Inc.: Docket 96-NM-58-AD.

    Applicability: Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -301 series airplanes; 
serial numbers 002 though 010 inclusive, 012 through 201 inclusive, 
203 through 209 inclusive, 211 through 215 inclusive, 217 through 
220 inclusive, 222, and 223; on which de Havilland Modification 8/
1114 or 8/1110 (reference de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-
35) has not been accomplished; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 the possibility of a fire on an airplane due to 
chafing of the electrical wiring of the cabin ceiling lighting 
system, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 1,000 hours time-in-service or 6 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Accomplish the 
requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in 
accordance with de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-35, dated 
September 1, 1995.
    (1) Perform a one-time inspection for wear and breakage of wire 
segments of the individual lighting units of the ceiling and 
sidewall lights. Prior to further flight, replace any damaged 
wiring.

[[Page 48439]]

    (2) Install teflon spiral wrap on the wiring of the ceiling and 
sidewall lights (Modification 8/2158).
    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 6, 1996.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-23443 Filed 9-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U