[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6454-6456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-1659]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-03-AD; Amendment 39-12086; AD 2001-02-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-200, and -300 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-200, and -300 series 
airplanes. This action requires repetitive inspections to detect 
chafing or arcing damage to the cable/wire and fuel tube assemblies on 
the right hand side of each engine, and replacement with new 
components, if necessary. This action also provides an optional 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by this AD. 
This action is necessary to prevent chafing of the cable/wire bundles 
against the fuel line, which could result in arcing and a consequent 
fire or explosion. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective February 6, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 6, 2001.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before February 21, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-03-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-03-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt 
Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. This information may be 
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, 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: James Delisio, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, 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: Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), 
which is the airworthiness authority for Canada, recently notified the 
FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Bombardier Model DHC-
8-200 and -300 series airplanes. TCAA advises that a pinhole in the 
high pressure fuel line was detected. Investigation revealed that the 
cause of the pinhole was due to arcing from an adjoining wire. The 
arcing occurred approximately four inches from the fuel-cooled oil 
cooler. Although the fuel line and wire are separated by two cushion 
clamps, the cushion clamps can rotate and thereby allow the wire bundle 
to chafe against the fuel line. Such chafing of the wire bundles could 
result in arcing and a consequent fire or explosion.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Alert Service Bulletin A8-73-23, dated 
November 3, 2000, which describes procedures for repetitive general 
visual inspections to detect chafing or arcing damage to the cable and 
the fuel tube assemblies on the right hand side of each engine, and 
replacement with new components, if necessary. The alert service 
bulletin also describes procedures for an optional modification that 
entails, among other things, rerouting the existing wire harness to the 
opposite side of the oil cooler, and shortening and securing the wire 
harness, if necessary. That modification eliminates the need for the 
repetitive inspections. TCAA classified this alert service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2000-33, dated 
November 14, 2000, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in Canada.

[[Page 6455]]

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in Canada and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, TCAA has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
TCAA, 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 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, this AD is being issued to prevent chafing of the 
cable/wire bundles against the fuel line, which could result in arcing 
and a consequent fire or explosion. This AD requires accomplishment of 
the repetitive general visual inspections, and replacement, if 
necessary, in accordance with the inspection and repair procedures 
specified in the alert service bulletin described previously. This AD 
also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections required by this AD.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action. The FAA is currently 
considering superseding this AD to require modification of the cable 
assembly, which would constitute terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections required by this AD. However, the planned compliance time 
for the installation of the modification is sufficiently long so that 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment will be practicable.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

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.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the AD is 
being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 2001-NM-03-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 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, 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:

2001-02-02  Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly deHavilland, Inc.): Amendment 
39-12086. Docket 2001-NM-03-AD.

    Applicability: Model DHC-8-201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 
airplanes having serial numbers 100 through 552 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 (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 possible arcing between the electrical wiring and the 
fuel tube, which could result in a fire or explosion, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 50 flight hours or 10 days after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever

[[Page 6456]]

occurs first: Do a general visual inspection to detect chafing or 
arcing damage to the cable and the fuel tube assemblies on the right 
hand side of each engine, per Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-
73-23, dated November 3, 2000. Repeat the inspection every 500 
flight hours or 3 months, whichever occurs first.

    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.''

Repair

    (b) If any damage to the fuel tube or cable assembly is 
detected, before further flight, replace the damaged component per 
Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-73-23, dated November 3, 2000. 
Thereafter, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this 
AD every 500 flight hours or 3 months, whichever occurs first.

Optional Terminating Action

    (c) Accomplishment of the modification instructions described in 
Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-73-23, dated November 3, 2000, 
that specifies, among other actions, rerouting the existing wire 
harness to the opposite side of the oil cooler, constitutes 
terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements 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. 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

    (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) The actions shall be done in accordance with Bombardier 
Alert Service Bulletin A8-73-23, dated November 3, 2000. 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 Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, 
Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; at the FAA, 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-2000-33, dated November 14, 2000.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on February 6, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 12, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-1659 Filed 1-19-01; 8:45 am]
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