[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61706-61708]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30328]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-256-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 and CL-
600-2A12 Series 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-600-1A11 and 
CL-600-2A12 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement 
of the anti-noise filter on the standby and auxiliary power unit (APU) 
fuel pump assemblies with a new filter. This proposal is prompted by 
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign 
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to prevent electrical arcing between the internal wiring 
and casing of the anti-noise filter on the standby

[[Page 61707]]

and APU fuel pump assemblies, and consequent increased risk of fuel 
tank explosion or fire.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 19, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-256-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 A, Montreal, 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 Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, 
Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wing Chan, Aerospace Engineer, 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) 256-7511; 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 97-NM-256-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. 97-NM-256-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    Transport Canada Aviation (TCA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for Canada, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may 
exist on certain Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 and CL-600-2A12 series 
airplanes. TCA advises it has received a report of an auxiliary power 
unit (APU) stopping while the airplane was on the ground. Investigation 
revealed that the problem was caused by a failure of the anti-noise 
(electromagnetic interference) filter on the APU fuel pump assembly. 
The filter had a hole through the metal casing caused by electrical 
arcing between the internal wiring and the casing of the filter. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in fuel tank explosion or 
fire.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Bombardier Canadair Challenger Alert 
Service Bulletin A600-0644, Revision 01, dated March 31, 1995 (for 
Model CL-600-1A11 series airplanes), and Alert Service Bulletin A601-
0441, Revision 01, dated March 31, 1995 (for Model CL-600-2A12 series 
airplanes). These service bulletins describe procedures for replacement 
of the anti-noise filter on the standby and APU fuel pump assemblies 
with a new filter. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the alert 
service bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified 
unsafe condition.
    TCA classified these alert service bulletins as mandatory and 
issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-97-02, dated February 25, 
1997, 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, TCA has kept the FAA informed of the 
situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of TCA, 
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 accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the alert service bulletins described 
previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 84 Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 and CL-600-
2A12 series airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this 
proposed AD, that it would take approximately 20 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 
$5,689 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $578,676, or $6,889 
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

[[Page 61708]]

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:

Bombardier Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Docket 97-NM-256-AD.

    Applicability: Model CL-600-1A11 series airplanes, as listed in 
Bombardier Canadair Challenger Alert Service Bulletin A600-0644, 
Revision 01, dated March 31, 1995; and Model CL-600-2A12 series 
airplanes, as listed in Bombardier Canadair Challenger Alert Service 
Bulletin A601-0441, Revision 01, dated March 31, 1995; 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 (c) 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 electrical arcing between the internal wiring and 
casing of the anti-noise filter on the standby and auxiliary power 
unit (APU) fuel pump assemblies, and consequent increased risk of 
fuel tank explosion or fire, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 100 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the anti-noise filter on the standby and auxiliary power 
unit (APU) fuel pump assemblies with a new filter, in accordance 
with Part B of Bombardier Canadair Challenger Alert Service Bulletin 
A600-0644, Revision 01, dated March 31, 1995 (for Model CL-600-1A11 
series airplanes), or Bombardier Canadair Challenger Alert Service 
Bulletin A601-0441, Revision 01, dated March 31, 1995 (for Model CL-
600-2A12 series airplanes); as applicable.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane a fuel pump having part number (P/N) 600-62966-25 or 
600-62966-27 with an anti-noise filter having P/N 160-151501 (prior 
to revision H stamped on the part) installed, on any airplane.
    (c) 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.

    (d) 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-97-02, dated February 25, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 13, 1997.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-30328 Filed 11-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P