[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 204 (Friday, October 22, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56959-56960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27327]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-32-AD; Amendment 39-11382; AD 99-22-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, 
-201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -
202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes, that requires modification 
of the wiring of the emergency lighting system. 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 the pilots from having full authority 
over the cabin emergency lights, which could result in delayed egress 
of the passengers and crew from the cabin during emergency evacuation.

DATES: Effective November 26, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 26, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Airplane 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 
Airplane 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: Luciano L. Castracane, Aerospace 
Engineer, Systems and Flight Branch, ANE-172, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, New York Airplane Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, 
Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581, telephone (516) 256-7535; 
fax (516) 256-2716.

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 DHC-8-
102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on August 20, 1999 (64 FR 45474). 
That action proposed to require modification of the wiring of the 
emergency lighting system.

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 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required modification, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$595 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
required modification of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$17,950, or $1,795 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:

99-22-04  Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment 
39-11382. Docket 99-NM-32-AD.
    Applicability: Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -
311, and -315 series airplanes; serial numbers 459 through 501, 
excluding serial numbers 462, 464, 467, 469, 478, 479, 481, 482, 
487, 489, 490, 491, 493, 495, 498, 499, and 500; 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.


[[Page 56960]]


    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the pilots from having full authority over the cabin 
emergency lights, which could result in delayed egress of the 
passengers and crew from the cabin during an emergency evacuation, 
accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) For airplanes on which Bombardier Modification 8/2407 has 
been installed during production: Within 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD, modify the wiring of the emergency 
lighting system in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 
8-33-40, Revision ``B,'' dated October 21, 1998.

    Note 2: Modification of the wiring of the emergency lighting 
system accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-40, dated May 
8, 1998, or Revision ``A,'' dated July 28, 1998, is considered 
acceptable for compliance with the modification required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the International Branch, 
ANM-116.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with Bombardier 
Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-40, Revision ``B,'' dated October 21, 
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., Bombardier 
Regional Airplane 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 Airplane 
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-98-33, dated September 8, 1998.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 26, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 14, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27327 Filed 10-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U