[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6495-6497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-1663]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-272-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-7 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

[[Page 6496]]

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-7 
series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the 
pressure hoses to the ground spoiler actuators. This proposal is 
prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
by a foreign airworthiness authority. This action is necessary to 
prevent blockage of pressure hoses to the ground spoiler actuators, 
leading to uncommanded deployment of the ground spoilers, resulting in 
reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 21, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-272-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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. 2000-NM-272-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 the proposed rule 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 (ACO), 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, 
Valley Stream, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra Sasson, Aerospace Engineer, ANE-
172, FAA, New York ACO, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, 
New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7250; 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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    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 proposed 
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 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-272-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. 2000-NM-272-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 DHC-7 series airplanes. TCCA advises 
that an operator has reported that an uncommanded deployment of all 
ground spoilers occurred during an engine ground-run and that all 
attempts by the flight crew to retract the spoilers were unsuccessful. 
Investigation of the problem identified the cause as a failed piston 
seal in a pressure hose to the ground spoiler actuators. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in the blockage of pressure 
hoses to the ground spoiler actuators, leading to uncommanded 
deployment of the ground spoilers, resulting in reduced controllability 
of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 7-27-90, dated September 3, 
1999, which describes procedures for modification of the pressure hoses 
to the ground spoiler actuators. Accomplishment of the actions 
specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition. TCCA classified this service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-99-29, dated 
November 3, 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 
section 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 bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 30 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed modification, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. There would be no charge 
for required parts. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,200, or $240 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of 
this AD action, and that no operator would

[[Page 6497]]

accomplish those actions in the future if this proposed 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 proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 de Havilland, Inc): Docket 2000-NM-272-
AD.
    Applicability: Model DHC-7 series airplanes, serial numbers 003 
through 113 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 blockage of pressure hoses to the ground spoiler 
actuators, leading to uncommanded deployment of the ground spoilers, 
resulting in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Modification

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify 
the pressure hoses on each ground spoiler actuator, in accordance 
with Bombardier Service Bulletin 7-27-90, dated September 3, 1999.

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). 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-99-29, dated November 3, 1999.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 11, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-1663 Filed 1-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U