[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 8, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52688-52689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25671]



[[Page 52688]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-246-AD; Amendment 39-9778; AD 96-21-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional 
Jet Series 100) 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) that 
is applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet 
Series 100) series airplanes. This action requires revising the 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to require the flight crew to check, and 
reset, if necessary, certain instrument settings prior to each takeoff 
and after any event during which generators are switched. This 
amendment is prompted by reports indicating that the co-pilot's air 
data reference system has intermittently failed following the switching 
of power between generators. The actions specified in this AD are 
intended to prevent uncommanded changes in certain instrument settings 
on the co-pilot's display, which, if not corrected, can result in 
confusion among the flight crew about the correct position and flight 
configuration of the airplane.

DATES: Effective October 15, 1996.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before December 9, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-246-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, 98055-4056.
    The information concerning this AD 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 & Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley 
Stream, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Cuneo, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
New York Aircraft Certification Office, ANE-172, 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, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 
(Regional Jet Series 100) series airplanes. Transport Canada Aviation 
advises that it has received reports indicating that there has been 
intermittent failure of the co-pilot's air data reference system on 
some of these airplanes. This failure has occurred after the transfer 
of power between generators, and has resulted in uncommanded changes in 
the settings of the barometric altimeter, altitude pre-selector, V-
speed, and speed bug on the co-pilot's instrument display. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in confusion among the flight 
crew about the correct position and flight configuration of the 
airplane.

Actions by Transport Canada Aviation

    Transport Canada Aviation issued Canadian airworthiness directive 
CF-96-16, dated September 23, 1996, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada. That directive advises the 
flight crew to ``check and reset, as required, the barometric altimeter 
setting, altitude pre-selector, V-speed, and speed bug settings before 
takeoff and after any generator switching events.''

FAA's Conclusions

    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, 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 Rule

    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 uncommanded 
changes in the settings of the barometric altimeter, altitude pre-
selector, V-speed, and speed bug on the co-pilot's instrument display. 
This AD requires revising the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to require the flight crew to check the 
settings of these instruments, and reset these settings, as necessary, 
prior to each takeoff and after any event during which generators are 
switched.

Interim Action

    This action is considered to be interim action until final action 
is identified. At that time, the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an 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 96-NM-246-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

[[Page 52689]]

Regulatory Impact

    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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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, 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:

96-21-02  Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Amendment 39-9778. 
Docket 96-NM-246-AD.
    Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) 
series airplanes; having serial numbers 7003 and subsequent; 
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 uncommanded changes in the settings of the barometric 
altimeter, altitude pre-selector, V-speed, and speed bug on the co-
pilot's instrument display, which could result in confusion among 
the flight crew about the correct position and flight configuration 
of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 3 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual 
(AFM) to include the following statement. This may be accomplished 
by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.
    ``Prior to each takeoff and after any event during which 
generators are switched, check the settings of the barometric 
altimeter, altitude pre- selector, V-speed, and speed bug. If any 
discrepancy is detected, reset, as necessary.''
    (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) This amendment becomes effective on October 15, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 1, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-25671 Filed 10-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U