[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 4, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30481-30483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14484]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-271-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional 
Jet Series 100) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-
2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) airplanes. This proposal would require a 
one-time inspection of the direct current (DC) power distribution 
system for reliability, and correction or repair, of any fuse holders 
and associated electrical wiring, if necessary. This proposal is 
prompted by a report indicating that a loose fuse holder caused the DC 
power distribution system to short circuit on one of the affected 
airplanes, which resulted in a burnt wire between circuit breaker panel 
CBP-2 and junction box JB7. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to prevent such short circuiting, which could result in a 
burnt wire, smoke entering the cockpit area, and consequent passenger 
injury due to smoke inhalation.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 14, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-271-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, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Balram Rambrich, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 30482]]

Systems and Equipment Branch, ANE-172, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, 
Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7507; 
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-271-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. 96-NM-271-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    Transport Canada Aviation, which is the airworthiness authority for 
Canada, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain 
Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) airplanes. 
Transport Canada Aviation advises that a loose fuse holder caused the 
direct current (DC) power distribution system on one of the affected 
airplanes to short circuit. This resulted in a burnt wire between 
circuit breaker panel CBP-2 and junction box JB7. The actions specified 
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent such short circuiting, which 
could result in a burnt wire and smoke entering the cockpit area, and 
consequent passenger injury due to smoke inhalation.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Canadair Regional Jet Alert Service Bulletin 
S.B. A601R-24-056, Revision `A', dated July 9, 1996, which describes 
procedures for a one-time inspection of the fuse holders of the DC 
power distribution system for reliability (proper connection, proper 
wiring, and to assure there are no damaged wires), and rewiring, 
correcting, or repairing fuse holders and associated electrical wiring, 
if necessary. Transport Canada Aviation classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-
96-18, dated September 30, 1996, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.

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 Proposed 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, the proposed AD would require a one-time 
inspection of the DC power distribution system for reliability, and 
correction or repair of any fuse holders and associated electrical 
wiring, if necessary. The actions would be required to be accomplished 
in accordance with the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 41 Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional 
Jet Series 100) airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this 
proposed AD, that it would take approximately 14 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $34,440, 
or $840 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.


[[Page 30483]]




Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:
Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Docket 96-NM-271-AD.
    Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) 
airplanes, serial numbers 7003 through 7105 inclusive; 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 the direct current (DC) power distribution system 
from short circuiting, which could result in a burnt wire, smoke 
entering the cockpit area, and consequent passenger injury due to 
smoke inhalation, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 600 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, perform a one-time inspection of the DC power distribution 
system for reliability in accordance with Canadair Regional Jet 
Service Bulletin S.B. A601R-24-056, Revision `A', dated July 9, 
1996. Prior to further flight, correct or repair any discrepant fuse 
holders and associated electrical wiring, in accordance with the 
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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 28, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-14484 Filed 6-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U