[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 155 (Thursday, August 12, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43957-43959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20895]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-385-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional 
Jet Series 100) 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 CL-600-
2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) series airplanes. This proposal would 
require a one-time inspection to detect damage of the input connectors 
and wiring of the main and auxiliary power unit (APU) battery chargers, 
and corrective action, if necessary. It would also require installation 
of secure connectors for the battery charger input connections. In 
addition, this proposal would require, for certain airplanes, either 
the installation of a resistor in the battery charger wiring, or the 
installation of new batteries with internal resistors. 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 increased risk of a short 
circuit and consequent electrical smoke or fire in the aft fuselage.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-385-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

[[Page 43958]]

Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New 
York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louis Castracane, 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) 256-7535; 
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-385-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-385-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 CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) 
series airplanes. TCA advises that several incidents of damage to the 
battery connectors of the main battery and the auxiliary power unit 
(APU) have been reported. An investigation has revealed that short 
circuit protection does not exist within the main battery and the APU 
battery for the mid-voltage sensing wire going from the 10th cell of 
each battery to its respective battery charger. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in increased risk of a short circuit and 
consequent electrical smoke or fire in the aft fuselage.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Canadair Alert Service Bulletin A601R-24-085, 
Revision ``C,'' dated November 5, 1998, which describes procedures for 
a one-time detailed visual inspection to detect damage of the input 
connectors and wiring of the main battery and auxiliary power unit 
(APU) battery charger, and corrective action, if necessary. It also 
describes procedures for the installation of secure connectors for the 
battery charger input connections, and either the installation of a 
resistor in the battery charger wiring or installation of new batteries 
with internal resistors. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the 
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified 
unsafe condition. TCA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and 
issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-98-40, dated November 10, 
1998, 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 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 service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 115 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 6 work hours 
per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions (no breakdown of work 
hours for each action is provided in the service bulletin), at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be 
provided at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $41,400, 
or $360 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 43959]]

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 Canadair): Docket 98-NM-385-AD.

    Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) 
series airplanes, serial numbers 7003 through 7067 inclusive and 
7069 through 7250 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 increased risk of a short circuit and consequent 
electrical smoke or fire in the aft fuselage, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection and Corrective Action

    (a) For all airplanes: Within 450 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions specified in 
paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD, in accordance with 
Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions of Canadair Alert Service 
Bulletin A601R-24-085, Revision `C,' dated November 5, 1998.
    (1) Perform a detailed visual inspection to detect damage of the 
input connector of the main battery charger and the wire harness 
between the electrical connectors for the main battery and the main 
battery charger. If any damage is detected, prior to further flight, 
repair it, or replace the wiring or connector with new or 
serviceable parts.
    (2) Perform a detailed visual inspection to detect damage of the 
input connector of the auxiliary power unit (APU) battery charger 
and the wire harness between the electrical connectors for the APU 
battery and the APU battery charger. If any damage is detected, 
prior to further flight, repair it, or replace the wiring or 
connector with new or serviceable parts.
    (3) Secure both the spin coupling ring of the input connector of 
the main battery charger and the spin coupling ring of the input 
connector of the APU battery charger by installing heat shrink 
tubing and ty-rap.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

Modification or Replacement

    (b) For airplane serial numbers 7003 through 7067 inclusive and 
7069 through 7249 inclusive: Within 450 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions in either 
paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) in accordance with Part B of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Canadair Alert Service Bulletin 
A601R-24-085, Revision `C,' dated November 5, 1998.
    (1) Install an external 5.1-Kohm resistor in the mid-voltage 
sensing wire for the main battery and an external 5.1-Kohm resistor 
in the mid-voltage sensing wire for the APU battery. Or
    (2) Install main battery P/N 601R59041-3 and APU battery P/N 
600-59151-11, which contain an internal resistor for the mid-voltage 
sensing wire.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the New York ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-98-40, dated November 10, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 6, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20895 Filed 8-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P