[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 160 (Thursday, August 17, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50131-50132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20649]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-90-AD; Amendment 39-11857; AD 2000-16-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-7-100, and DHC-8-
100, -200, and -300 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 all Bombardier Model DHC-7-100, and DHC-8-100, -200, and 
-300 series airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection of 
maintenance records to determine the method used during the most recent 
weight and balance check of the airplane and, if necessary, 
accomplishment of a weight and balance check. 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 unusual handling characteristics and 
consequent reduced controllability during ground operations due to 
incorrect methods of weighing and balancing the airplane.

DATES: Effective September 21, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 
6087, Centre-ville, 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.

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: 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 all Bombardier Model DHC-7-100, 
and DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on April 28, 2000 (65 FR 24887). That action proposed 
to require a one-time inspection of the maintenance records to 
determine the method used during the most recent weight and balance 
check of the airplane and, if necessary, accomplishment of a weight and 
balance check.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received.

Request To Revise the Compliance Time

    A single commenter requests that the weight and balance check of 
the airplane required by paragraph (a)(2) of the proposal be revised 
from ``prior to further flight'' to ``within 60 days after the 
effective date of the proposed AD.'' The commenter states that the 
intent of the rule should be that the operator would have 60 days to 
review the records and reweigh any airplane that was last weighed on 
wing jacks. The commenter objects to the proposed requirement to 
perform the weight and balance prior to further flight, after the 
records inspection. The commenter explains that paragraph (a)(2) of the 
proposal could result in an airplane being grounded.
    The FAA concurs with the commenter's request and has revised 
paragraph (a)(2) of the final rule accordingly.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described 
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any

[[Page 50132]]

operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 207 series airplanes of U.S. registry will 
be affected by this AD, and that it will take approximately 1 work hour 
per airplane to accomplish the inspection, at an average labor rate of 
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $12,420, or $60 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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, 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:

2000-16-03  Bombardier Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment 
39-11857.
    Docket 2000-NM-90-AD.

    Applicability: All Model DHC-7-100 series airplanes and all 
Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes, 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 unusual handling characteristics and consequent 
reduced controllability during ground operations due to incorrect 
methods of weighing and balancing the airplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time inspection of maintenance records to determine the method 
used during the most recent weight and balance check of the 
airplane.
    (1) If the maintenance records indicate that platform scales or 
bottle jacks at the undercarriage jacking points were used during 
the most recent weight and balance check, no further action is 
required by this AD.
    (2) If the maintenance records indicate that wing jacks were 
used during the most recent weight and balance check, or if the 
maintenance records do not verify the use of platform scales or 
bottle jacks at the undercarriage jacking points, within 60 days 
after the effective date of this AD, accomplish a weight and balance 
check of the airplane in accordance with the applicable de Havilland 
Weight and Balance Manual procedures specified in paragraph 
(a)(2)(i), (a)(2)(ii), (a)(2)(iii), (a)(2)(iv), (a)(2)(v), 
(a)(2)(vi), or (a)(2)(vii), of this AD.
    (i) For Model DHC-7-100 series airplanes: Accomplish the actions 
in accordance with de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual PSM 1-7-8, 
Issue 1, dated
    November 1978.
    (ii) For Model DHC-7-101 series airplanes: Accomplish the 
actions in accordance with de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual 
PSM 1-7C-8, Issue 1, dated November 1978.
    (iii) For Model DHC-7-102 series airplanes: Accomplish the 
actions in accordance with de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual 
PSM 1-71-8, Issue 2, dated February 1982.
    (iv) For Model DHC-7-103 series airplanes: Accomplish the 
actions in accordance with de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual 
PSM 1-71C-8, Issue 1, dated November 1979.
    (v) For Model DHC-8-100 series airplanes: Accomplish the actions 
in accordance with de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual PSM 1-8-8, 
Issue 3, dated March 1996.
    (vi) For Model DHC-8-200 series airplanes: Accomplish the 
actions in accordance with de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual 
PSM 1-82-8, Issue 2, dated March 1996.
    (vii) For Model DHC-8-300 series airplanes: Accomplish the 
actions in accordance with de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual 
PSM 1-83-8, Issue 3, dated March 1996.

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 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 2: 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 
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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-98-32R1, dated March 11, 1999.

    (d) This amendment becomes effective on September 21, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 7, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-20649 Filed 8-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P