[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 55 (Monday, March 23, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13800-13801]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7225]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 55 / Monday, March 23, 1998 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 13800]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-330-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-8-301, -311, -
314, and -315 Series 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 de Havilland Model DHC-8-
301, -311, -314, and -315 series airplanes. This proposal would require 
installation of additional wiring and new electrical connectors for the 
lights in the forward end of the passenger overhead compartments. 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 severe overheating 
of the electrical connectors for hte lights in the forward end of the 
passenger overhead compartments, which could result in smoke and fire 
in the passenger cabin.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 22, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-330-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, 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 Flight Test 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-330-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person any obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 97-NM-330-AD, 1601 Lnid 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 de Havilland Model DHC-8, -301, -311, -314, and -315 
series airplanes. TCA advises, that, on two occasions, the electrical 
connectors for the lights in the forward end of the passenger cabin 
overheated on certain airplanes on which the Heath Techna Interior is 
installed. The overheated connectors produced an odor followed by 
visible smoke. Such overheating may have been caused by connectors 
having insufficient electrical load capacity. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in smoke and fire in the passenger cabin.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Alert Service Bulletin S.B. A8-33-39, 
Revision `A,' dated October 24, 1997, which describe procedures for 
installation of additional wiring and new electrical connectors for the 
lights in the forward end of the passenger overhead compartments. The 
new connectors provide a higher electrical load capacity than those 
installed previously. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the 
alert service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified 
unsafe condition. TCA classified this alert service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-97-17, dated 
September 26, 1997, 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, 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

[[Page 13801]]

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 bulletin described 
previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 10 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 installation, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $122 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,620, 
or $962 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amendment]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

De Havilland, Inc.: Docket 97-NM-330-AD.

    Applicability: Model DHC-8-301, -311, -314, and -315 series 
airplane; serial numbers 100, and 202 through 433 inclusive; 
excluding serial numbers 271 and 408; 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 severe overheating of the electrical connectors for 
the lights in the forward end of the passenger overhead 
compartments, which could result in smoke and fire in the passenger 
cabin, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 400 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, install additional wiring and new electrical connectors for 
the lights in the forward end of the passenger overhead compartments 
in accordance with Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin S.B. A8-33-39, 
Revision `A,' date October 24, 1997.
    (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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-97-17, dated September 26, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 13, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-7225 Filed 3-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M