[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 195 (Friday, October 8, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54773-54774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25928]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-385-AD; Amendment 39-11355; AD 99-21-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional 
Jet Series 100) 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 CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 
100) series airplanes, that requires 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. 
This amendment also requires installation of secure connectors for the 
battery charger input connections. In addition, this amendment 
requires, for certain airplanes, either the installation of a resistor 
in the battery charger wiring, or the installation of new batteries 
with internal resistors. 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 increased risk of a short circuit and consequent electrical 
smoke or fire in the aft fuselage.

DATES: Effective November 12, 1999.

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 
6087, Station Centreville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, 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; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louis Castracane, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, New York Aircraft Certifciation Office, 10 Fifth Street, 
Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7335; 
fax (516) 568-2716.

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 CL-600-
2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on August 12, 1999 (64 FR 43957). That action proposed 
to 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. If also proposed 
to require installation of secure connectors for the battery charger 
input connections. In addition, that action proposed to require, for 
certain airplanes, either the installation of a resistor in the battery 
charger wiring, or the installation of new batteries with internal 
resistors.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 115 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD. It will take approximately 6 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required 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 will be provided at no 
cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
required 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 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:

99-21-11  Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Amendment 39-11355. 
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

[[Page 54774]]

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 purpose of this AD, a detailed visual 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Canadair Alert 
Service Bulletin A601R-24-085, Revision `C,' dated November 5, 1998. 
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., Canadair, 
Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, 
Quebec H3C 3G9, 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-98-40, dated November 10, 1998.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on November 12, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 29, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-25928 Filed 10-7-99 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M