[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U