[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 27, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57798-57800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28082]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-166-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), 
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-
604) 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-
1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-
601-3R, and CL-604) series airplanes. For certain airplanes, this 
proposal would require removing the hydraulic tube assemblies from the 
main landing gear (MLG) bay, installing new re-routed hydraulic tube 
assemblies, and repositioning a fuel line, as applicable. For certain 
other airplanes, this proposal would require a general visual 
inspection to determine the routing of certain hydraulic and fuel 
lines, and repair, 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 prevent damage to hydraulic and fuel lines resulting from 
failure of an MLG, which could cause a fire in the MLG wheel well.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 26, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-166-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 Certification Office, 10 Fifth 
Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James E. Delisio, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, 
Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7521; 
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 99-NM-166-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. 99-NM-166-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for Canada, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may 
exist on certain Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 
(CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) series 
airplanes. TCCA advises that a hard landing during touch-and-go 
training resulted in an in-flight separation of a main landing gear 
(MLG) from a Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) series airplane. This 
separation caused the rupture of hydraulic and fuel lines in the main 
wheel well area, which resulted in an in-flight fire. Investigation 
revealed that certain hydraulic and fuel lines are located such that 
separation of an MLG could cause damage to these hydraulic and fuel 
lines. This condition, if not corrected, could result in a fire in the 
MLG wheel well.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 600-0671, dated August 4, 
1997 [for Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes], which describes 
procedures for removing the five existing hydraulic tube assemblies 
from the main landing gear bay, installing six new re-routed hydraulic 
tube assemblies, and repositioning of a fuel line.
    Bombardier also has issued Service Bulletin No. 601-0482, dated 
April 15, 1997, [Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A 
and

[[Page 57799]]

-3R)], which describes procedures for removing five existing hydraulic 
tube assemblies from the main landing gear bay and replacing them with 
six new re-routed assemblies.
    Bombardier also has issued Service Bulletin 604-29-001, dated 
December 20, 1996 [for Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series airplanes], 
which describes procedures for performing a general visual inspection 
of the routing of the hydraulic lines in the main landing gear bay, and 
contacting the manufacturer for modification instructions, if 
necessary.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. TCCA 
classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-99-14, dated May 7, 1999, 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 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the 
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, TCCA has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
TCCA, 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 bulletins described previously, 
except as discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Relevant Service Information

    Operators should note that, although Bombardier Service Bulletin 
604-29-001, dated December 20, 1996, specifies that the manufacturer 
may be contacted for disposition of certain hydraulic and fuel line 
routing conditions, this proposal would require the modification of 
those conditions to be accomplished in accordance with a method 
approved by the FAA.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 249 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    The FAA estimates that 231 Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 
(CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and -3R) series airplanes would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 20 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, 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 of these airplanes is 
estimated to be $277,200, or $1,200 per airplane.
    The FAA estimates that 18 Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series 
airplanes would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
inspection. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators of these airplanes is estimated to be $1,080, or $60 
per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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:

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 99-NM-166-AD.

    Applicability: Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes, 
serial numbers 1004 through 1085 inclusive; Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-
601) series airplanes, serial numbers 3001 through 3066 inclusive; 
Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) series 
airplanes, serial numbers 5001 through 5194 inclusive, and 5301 
through 5317 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 (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 damage to hydraulic and fuel lines resulting from 
failure of a main landing gear (MLG), which could cause a fire in 
the MLG wheel well, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Modification

    (a) Within 300 landings or 12 months after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first, accomplish the actions in paragraph 
(a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes: Remove the 
five existing hydraulic tube assemblies from the MLG bay, install 
six new re-routed hydraulic tube assemblies, and reposition a fuel 
line, in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 600-0671, dated 
August 4, 1997.
    (2) For Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A 
and -3R) series

[[Page 57800]]

airplanes: Remove the five existing hydraulic tube assemblies from 
the MLG bay, and install six new re-routed hydraulic tube 
assemblies, in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 601-0482, 
dated April 15, 1997.
    (3) For Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series airplanes: Perform a 
general visual inspection of the routing of the hydraulic and fuel 
lines in the MLG bay in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 
604-29-001, dated December 20, 1996.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

    (i) If all hydraulic lines are routed in accordance with the 
service bulletin, no further action is required by this paragraph.
    (ii) If any hydraulic line is not routed in accordance with the 
service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with 
a method approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate.

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, New York ACO. 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

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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-99-14, dated May 7, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 21, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-28082 Filed 10-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U