[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52994-52996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26353]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-237-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-7 and DHC-8 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 Bombardier Model DHC-7 and 
DHC-8 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time visual 
inspection to determine the serial number of the brake shuttle valves 
of the main landing gear (MLG); and replacement of the filter fittings 
with new filter fittings, if necessary. 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 ensure that proper filter fittings are installed. 
Installation of improper filter fittings could result in failure of the 
brake shuttle valves, and consequent loss of brake effectiveness, which 
could reduce controllability of the airplane during taxi, takeoff, and 
landing roll.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-237-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., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 
Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, 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.


[[Page 52995]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony E. Gallo, 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) 256-7510; 
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 98-NM-237-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-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-NM-237-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 DHC-7 and DHC-8 series airplanes. TCA 
advises that an operator reported an incident wherein the hydraulic 
pressure for the main landing gear (MLG) remained applied on one wheel 
brake after the wheel brake was released. Investigation revealed that a 
defective filter fitting inside the brake shuttle valve had failed, 
which blocked the valve port and prevented the flow of hydraulic fluid 
from the brakes. The defective filter fittings were fitted into a 
specific batch of brake shuttle valves. Installation of improper filter 
fittings, if not corrected, could result in failure of the brake 
shuttle valves, and consequent loss of brake effectiveness, which could 
reduce controllability of the airplane during taxi, takeoff, and 
landing roll.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Bombardier Alert Service Bulletins S.B. 
A7-32-102, Revision `A,' dated November 26, 1997 (for Model DHC-7 
series airplanes), and S.B. A8-32-139, Revision `A,' dated December 19, 
1997 (for Model DHC-8 series airplanes). These alert service bulletins 
describe procedures for a one-time visual inspection to determine the 
serial numbers of the brake shuttle valves of the MLG; and replacement 
of the filter fittings inside the brake shuttle valve with new filter 
fittings, if necessary. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the 
alert service bulletins is intended to adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition. Transport Canada Aviation classified these 
alert service bulletins as mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness 
directive CF-98-05, dated March 2, 1998, 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 260 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$15,600, or $60 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:

[[Page 52996]]

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 de Havilland, Inc.): Docket 98-NM-237-AD.

    Applicability: Model DHC-7-1, -100, -101, -102, and -103 series 
airplanes, having serial numbers (S/N) 003 through 113 inclusive; 
and Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes, having S/N's 
003 through 498 inclusive; 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 (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 failure of the brake shuttle valves, and consequent 
loss of the brake effectiveness, due to installation of improper 
filter fittings, which could reduce controllability of the airplane 
during taxi, takeoff, and landing roll, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time visual inspection to determine the serial numbers of the 
brake shuttle valves of the main landing gear (MLG), in accordance 
with Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin S.B. A7-32-102, Revision `A,' 
dated November 26, 1997 (for Model DHC-7 series airplanes), or S.B. 
A8-32-139, Revision A,' dated December 19, 1997 (for Model DHC-8 
series airplanes), as applicable. If any brake shuttle valve having 
S/N 2162A through 2244A inclusive is installed, prior to further 
flight, replace the filter fittings with new filter fittings, in 
accordance with the applicable alert service bulletin.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a brake shuttle valve having part number 5084-1 on any airplane, 
unless it has been inspected and any defective filter fitting 
replaced, in accordance with the requirements 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, 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-98-05, dated March 2, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 25, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26353 Filed 10-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U