[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 183 (Tuesday, September 22, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50512-50514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25146]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-14-AD; Amendment 39-10789; AD 98-20-23]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -
300 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series
airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies
in the electrical wiring and wiring harness behind the lavatory, and
corrective actions. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness
authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
chafing of electrical wiring, which could result in severe overheating
of the wiring, consequent smoke in the flight deck and cabin, and
possible injury to flightcrew or passengers.
DATES: Effective October 27, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 27, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division,
Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. This information
may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 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; at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
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.
[[Page 50513]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-
100, -200, and -300 series airplanes was published in the Federal
Register on April 2, 1998 (63 FR 16174). That action proposed to
require a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies in the electrical
wiring and wiring harness behind the lavatory, and corrective actions.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
The commenter requests that the compliance time for the one-time
inspection and modification be changed from the proposed 9 months to 5
years. The commenter states that each of its airplanes would have to
use weekend maintenance slots for the modification because of the
lengthy down time required to accomplish the proposed actions. This
would mean the commenter could accomplish two airplanes per week; and
at that rate, it would take 6 months of weekends to accomplish the
entire fleet. Further, the commenter notes that the proposed 9-month
compliance time would result in other needed maintenance/modifications
being neglected during that period. The commenter's request to extend
the compliance time to 5 years is based on the merits of its history
with the airplane model, and the fact that the Bombardier service
bulletin recommends accomplishment of the service bulletin ``at the
operator's earliest opportunity.''
The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request to extend the
compliance time to 5 years since the commenter provided no technical
justification for extending the compliance time. Furthermore, in
developing an appropriate compliance time for this action, the FAA
considered not only the degree of urgency associated with addressing
the subject unsafe condition, but the normal maintenance schedules for
timely accomplishment of the inspection and modification. The FAA also
considered the fact that the referenced Bombardier service bulletin
(containing the procedures for accomplishing the required actions) has
been available to all operators of the Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300
series airplanes since April 1997; therefore, U.S. operators have had
ample time since then to consider initiating those actions, which this
AD ultimately mandates. However, under the provisions of paragraph (b)
of the final rule, the FAA may approve requests for adjustments to the
compliance time if data are submitted to substantiate that such an
adjustment would provide an acceptable level of safety.
Change to the Rule
The FAA has revised this final rule to specify the manufacturer's
name change from de Havilland to Bombardier.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 163 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this proposed AD. It will take approximately 1 work hour
per airplane to accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on this figure, the cost impact of the
inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$9,780, or $60 per airplane.
It will take approximately 20 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the required modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $195,600 or
$1,200 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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:
98-20-23 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment
39-10789. Docket 98-NM-14-AD.
Applicability: Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes,
serial numbers 003 through 433 inclusive, except 031, 408, and 413;
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 chafing of electrical wiring, which could result in
severe overheating of the wiring, consequent smoke in the flight
deck and cabin, and possible injury to flightcrew or passengers,
accomplish the following:
[[Page 50514]]
(a) Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies in the electrical
wiring or wiring harness located behind the lavatory, in accordance
with Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-24-50, dated April 25, 1997.
(1) If no discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, modify
the wiring harness and the lavatory forward panel, in accordance
with the service bulletin.
(2) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, repair
it and modify the wiring harness and the lavatory forward panel, 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.
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Bombardier
Service Bulletin S.B. 8-24-50, dated April 25, 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, Inc., Bombardier
Regional Aircraft Division, Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario
M3K 1Y5, Canada. Copies may be inspected 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-97-14, dated July 22, 1997.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 27, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 15, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-25146 Filed 9-21-98; 8:45 am]
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