[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]
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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).
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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-
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]
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