[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 235 (Monday, December 8, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64519-64521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31968]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-286-AD; Amendment 39-10235; AD 97-25-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 Series
Airplanes Modified in Accordance With Supplemental Type Certificate
(STC) SA6003NM
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-600-2B16 series airplanes.
This action requires disabling the remote fuel/defuel panel in the
cockpit. This action also provides for an optional modification of the
remote fuel/defuel panel, which would terminate the requirement to
disable the panel. This amendment is prompted by reports of in-flight
failure of the panel that resulted when a circuit breaker on a battery
bus opened due to insufficient current flow capacity. The actions
specified in this AD are intended to prevent the circuit breakers from
opening during flight, which could result in irreversible loss of
engine indicating and fuel quantity systems in the cockpit.
DATES: Effective December 23, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 23, 1997.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before January 7, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-286-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Bombardier Aviation Services, 1255 East Aeropark Boulevard, Tucson,
Arizona 85706. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at
the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California;
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Portwood, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5350; fax
(562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received reports of three in-
flight occurrences of loss of all engine indicating and fuel quantity
systems in the cockpit on certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 series
airplanes. In each case, the internal fuel/defuel panel had been left
in the ``ON'' position for an extended period of time. When the panel
was switched off, all engine and fuel quantity indications were lost;
subsequent attempts to cycle the panel power back on were unsuccessful.
Investigation revealed an opened circuit breaker. It was determined
that, if power to the remote fuel/defuel panel is left on for up to
approximately one hour, the controlling circuit breaker on the battery
bus will have insufficient capacity to hold the current flow and, as a
result, may open during flight. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in irreversible loss of engine indicating and fuel quantity
systems in the cockpit.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin SB TUS-28-20-02-1, dated
November 13, 1997, which describes procedures for disabling the remote
fuel/defuel panel in the cockpit. Bombardier also has issued Service
Bulletin SB TUS-28-20-02, dated November 13, 1997, which describes
procedures for modifying the remote fuel/defuel panel; accomplishment
of this modification eliminates the need to disable the panel. The
modification involves replacing certain circuit breakers for the fuel/
defuel power and fuel quantity displays with new circuit breakers, and
adding three 4-pole relays to allow switching of fuel quantity when the
internal fuel panel is selected.
U.S. Type Certification of the Airplane
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.
[[Page 64520]]
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 loss of engine
indicating and fuel quantity systems in the cockpit in the event a
circuit breaker opens during flight. This AD requires disabling the
remote fuel/defuel panel in the cockpit. This AD also provides for an
optional modification of this panel, which would terminate the
requirement to disable the panel. The actions are required to be
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described
previously.
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 97-NM-286-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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, Incorporation by
reference, 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:
97-25-11 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Amendment 39-10235.
Docket 97-NM-286-AD.
Applicability: Model CL-600-2B16 series airplanes that have been
modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate SA6003NM,
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 the circuit breaker on the battery bus from opening
during flight, which could result in irreversible loss of engine
indicating and fuel quantity systems in the cockpit, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 5 days after the effective date of this AD, disable
the remote fuel/defuel panel, in accordance with Bombardier Service
Bulletin SB TUS-28-20-02-1, dated November 13, 1997.
(b) Modification of the remote fuel/defuel panel in accordance
with Bombardier Service Bulletin SB TUS-28-20-02, dated November 13,
1997, permits the remote fuel-defuel panel to be enabled, and
constitutes terminating action for the requirements of paragraph (a)
of this AD.
(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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles 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.
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Bombardier
Service Bulletin SB TUS-28-20-02-1, dated November 13, 1997; or
Bombardier Service Bulletin SB TUS-28-20-02, dated November 13,
1997. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bombardier Aviation Services,
1255 East Aeropark Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85706. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960
[[Page 64521]]
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on December 23, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 1, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-31968 Filed 12-5-97; 8:45 am]
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