[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 142 (Monday, July 24, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45517-45519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18391]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-260-AD; Amendment 39-11828; AD 2000-14-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 series 
airplanes, that currently requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual 
(AFM) to require the flight crew to check, and reset, if necessary, 
certain instrument settings prior to each takeoff and after any event 
during which generators are switched. This amendment adds a new 
revision to the AFM and revises the applicability of the existing AD. 
This amendment also requires modification of the air data reference 
systems. 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 uncommanded 
changes in certain instrument settings on the pilot's and co-pilot's 
instrument displays, which could result in confusion among the flight 
crew about the correct position and flight configuration of the 
airplane.

DATES: Effective August 28, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 28, 2000.

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: Peter Cuneo, 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) 256-7506, 
fax (516) 568-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 96-21-02, 
amendment 39-9778 (61 FR 52688, October 8, 1996), which is applicable 
to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 series airplanes, was published 
in the Federal Register on August 6, 1999 (64 FR 42866). The action 
proposed to supersede AD 96-21-02 to continue to require revising the 
Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to 
require the flight crew to check, and reset, if necessary, certain 
instrument settings prior to each takeoff and after any event during 
which generators are switched. The action also proposed to add a new 
temporary revision to the Emergency, Normal, and Abnormal Procedures 
Sections and Supplements 4 and 8 of the FAA-approved AFM to provide 
information for the flight crew concerning intermittent failures of the 
air data system resulting in uncommanded changes to the pilot's or co-
pilot's flight instruments, and to provide procedures for the flight 
crew to check and reset certain instrument settings. In addition, the 
action proposed to limit the applicability of the existing AD to 
exclude certain airplanes on which the modification was accomplished 
during manufacture. The action also proposed to require modification of 
the air data reference systems, which, when accomplished, would 
terminate the requirement for revising the AFM.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Request to Reference Latest Service Bulletin Revision

    One commenter requests that the FAA reference the latest revision 
to the service bulletin referenced in the proposal as an acceptable 
means of compliance. The FAA concurs with the commenter's request. 
Since the issuance of the proposal, the manufacturer has issued 
Canadair Regional Jet Service Bulletin S.B. 601R-34-094, Revision `E,' 
dated October 12, 1999. The technical content of the service bulletin 
is similar to Revision `B,' which is cited in this final rule as the 
appropriate source of service information for accomplishment of the 
actions required by this AD. Revision `E' was issued to provide 
alternative wiring changes. In addition, the FAA also has determined 
that accomplishment of the modification in accordance with Revision 
`C,' dated September 17, 1998, or Revision `D,' dated March 12, 1999, 
is acceptable for compliance.
    The FAA has added a note to this final rule to specify that 
accomplishment of the modification in accordance with Revision `C,' 
`D,' or `E' of the service bulletin is acceptable for compliance.

Request to Delete References to ``Series 100'' Airplanes

    One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the FAA delete its 
reference in the proposal to ``Series 100'' airplanes. The commenter 
indicates that the reference causes confusion, as a ``Series 200'' 
airplane also exists as a marketing designation. [While the ``Series 
100'' is listed on the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS), the ``Series 
200'' is not.] The FAA concurs with this request, and has removed all 
such references from this final rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 86 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be 
affected by this AD.
    The AFM revision that is currently required by AD 96-21-02, and is 
retained in this AD, takes approximately 1 work hour per airplane to 
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the currently required AFM on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $5,160, or $60 per airplane.
    The new AFM revision that is required by this AD will take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these

[[Page 45518]]

figures, the cost impact of the new AFM revision required by this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,160, or $60 per airplane.
    The new modification that is required by this AD will take 
approximately 11 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the 
manufacturer at no charge to the operators. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the modification required by this AD on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $56,760, or $660 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 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.
    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 removing amendment 39-9778 (61 FR 
52688, October 8, 1996), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-11828, to read as follows:

2000-14-17--Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Amendment 39-
11828. Docket 98-NM-260-AD. Supersedes AD 96-21-02, Amendment 39-
9778.

    Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 series airplanes having serial 
numbers 7003 through 7207 inclusive, certificated in any category; 
except those airplanes on which Canadair Regional Jet Service 
Bulletin S.B. 601R-34-094, Revision `B,' dated November 14, 1997, 
has been accomplished.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 (d) 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 uncommanded changes in the settings on the pilot's 
and co-pilot's instrument displays, which could result in confusion 
among the flight crew about the correct position and flight 
configuration of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Restatement of the Requirements of AD 96-21-02, Amendment 39-9778

    (a) Within 3 days after October 15, 1996 (the effective date of 
AD 96-21-02, amendment 39-9778), revise the Limitations Section of 
the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the 
following statement. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of 
this AD in the AFM.
    ``Prior to each takeoff and after any event during which 
generators are switched, check the settings of the barometric 
altimeter, altitude pre-selector, V-speed, and speed bug. If any 
discrepancy is detected, reset, as necessary.''

New Requirements of This Ad

AFM Temporary Revision

    (b) Within 2 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Emergency, Normal, and Abnormal Procedures Sections, and 
Supplements 4 and 8 of the FAA-approved AFM by inserting Canadair 
Regional Jet Temporary Revision RJ/50-2, dated June 1, 1997, into 
the applicable section of the AFM.

    Note 2: The AFM revisions required by paragraph (b) of this AD 
are accomplished by inserting a copy of the Temporary Revisions into 
the applicable section of the AFM. When these Temporary Revisions 
have been incorporated into the general revisions of the AFM, the 
general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, provided that the 
information contained in the general revisions is identical to that 
specified in the Temporary Revisions.

Replacement

    (c) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the air data reference systems in accordance with Canadair Regional 
Jet Service Bulletin S.B. 601R-34-094, Revision `B,' dated November 
14, 1997. After accomplishment of the modification, the AFM 
revisions required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD may be 
removed from the AFM.

    Note 3: Accomplishment of the modification in accordance with 
Canadair Regional Jet Service Bulletin S.B. 601R-34-094, Revision 
``C,'' dated September 17, 1998; Revision ``D,'' dated March 12, 
1999; or Revision ``E,'' dated October 12, 1999; is acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (c) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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 4: 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

    (e) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) Except as provided by paragraph (a) of this AD, the actions 
shall be done in accordance with Canadair Regional Jet Temporary 
Revision RJ/50-2, dated June 1, 1997; and Canadair Regional Jet 
Service Bulletin S.B. 601R-34-094, Revision `B,' dated November 14, 
1997. 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 Centreville, 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.


[[Page 45519]]


    Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-96-16R1, dated June 24, 1998.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on August 28, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 14, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-18391 Filed 7-21-00; 8:45 am]
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