[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 14 (Friday, January 21, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3379-3381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1367]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-05-AD; Amendment 39-11519; AD 2000-01-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CL-604 Variant of Bombardier Model 
Canadair CL-600-2B16 Series Airplanes Modified in Accordance With 
Supplemental Type Certificate SA8060NM-D, SA8072NM-D, or SA8086NM-D

AGENCY:  Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

[[Page 3380]]


ACTION:  Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY:  This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting airworthiness directive (AD) 2000-01-51 that was sent 
previously by individual notices to all known U.S. owners and operators 
of Model CL-604 variant of Bombardier Model Canadair CL-600-2B16 series 
airplanes modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate 
SA8060NM-D, SA8072NM-D, or SA8086NM-D. This AD requires that the fuel 
service panel maintenance light be disconnected. This action is 
prompted by a report indicating that an electrical spark was noted when 
the fuel cap chain contacted the maintenance light housing of the fuel 
service panel. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
electrical sparks from a grounded object from coming into contact with 
the maintenance light housing of the fuel service panel, which could 
result in a fuel fire due to the close proximity of the fuel service 
panel to the fuel port.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  January 26, 2000, to all persons except those persons 
to whom it was made immediately effective by emergency AD 2000-01-51, 
issued January 7, 2000, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 21, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-05-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    Information pertaining to this docket may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Abby Malmir, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5351; 
fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  On January 7, 2000, the FAA issued 
emergency AD 2000-01-51, which is applicable to the Model CL-604 
variant of Bombardier Model Canadair CL-600-2B16 series airplanes 
modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate SA8060NM-D, 
SA8072NM-D, or SA8086NM-D.
    That action was prompted by a report indicating that an electrical 
spark was noted when the fuel cap chain contacted the maintenance light 
housing of the fuel service panel on a CL-604 variant of a Bombardier 
Model Canadair CL-600-2B16 series airplane. Investigation revealed that 
the power and ground wires to the fuel service panel light assembly 
were reversed. Electrical sparks from a grounded object may come into 
contact with the maintenance light housing of the fuel service panel, 
and could result in a fuel fire due to the close proximity of the fuel 
service panel to the fuel port.

Explanation of Requirements of the Rule

    Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop 
on other airplanes of the same type design, the FAA issued emergency AD 
2000-01-51 to prevent electrical sparks from a grounded object from 
coming into contact with the maintenance light housing of the fuel 
service panel, which could result in a fuel fire due to the close 
proximity of the fuel service panel to the fuel port. The AD requires 
that the fuel service panel maintenance light be disconnected.
    Operators should note that this airworthiness directive applies 
only to the CL-604 variant of Bombardier Model Canadair CL-600-2B16 
series airplanes.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual notices 
issued on January 7, 2000, to all known U.S. owners and operators of 
the CL-604 variant of Bombardier Model Canadair CL-600-2B16 series 
airplanes modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate 
SA8060NM-D, SA8072NM-D, or SA8086NM-D. These conditions still exist, 
and the AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment 
to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to 
make it effective to all persons.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-05-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory

[[Page 3381]]

Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will be prepared 
and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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, 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:

2000-01-51 Bombardier: Amendment 39-11519. Docket 2000-NM-05-AD.

    Applicability: CL-604 variant of Canadair Model CL-600-2B16 
series airplanes modified in accordance with Supplemental Type 
Certificate SA8060NM-D, SA8072NM-D, or SA8086NM-D; 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 otherwise 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 a fuel fire due to electrical sparks contacting the 
maintenance light housing of the fuel service panel, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 48 hours after the effective date of this AD, perform 
the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), 
(a)(5), (a)(6), and (a)(7) of this AD.
    (1) Open and lock-out the circuit breaker CB5-B8 located in the 
aft equipment bay at STA.645L on the JB5 panel.
    (2) Open the refuel/defuel door located on the right side of the 
fuselage at the wing root. Remove the maintenance light receptacle 
by removing the four screws holding the receptacle to the fairing.
    (3) Pull the light receptacle away from the fairing revealing 
the two wire leads attached to the receptacle.
    (4) Disconnect the wires by removing the two screws that attach 
the wire leads to the light receptacle.
    (5) Cap and stow the wires to prevent contact with metal objects 
within the fairing.
    (6) Re-install the light receptacle in the fairing.
    (7) Close circuit breaker CB5-B8.

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, Los Angeles Certification Office 
(ACO), 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 Manager, Los 
Angeles ACO.


    Note 2:
    Information concerning the existence of approved alternative 
methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the 
Los Angeles ACO.

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.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on January 26, 2000, to all 
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by emergency AD 2000-01-51, issued on January 7, 2000, 
which contained the requirements of this amendment.
    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 13, 2000.

Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-1367 Filed 1-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U