[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 57 (Friday, March 23, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16156-16158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7174]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 57 / Friday, March 23, 2001 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 16156]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-68-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of 
comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD), applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 
series airplanes, that would have required repetitive eddy current 
inspections for cracking of the main landing gear (MLG) main fittings, 
and replacement with a new or serviceable MLG, if necessary. This new 
action revises the proposed rule by continuing to require the 
repetitive eddy current inspections of the MLG; and adds requirements 
to service the MLG shock struts, inspect the MLG shock struts for 
nitrogen pressure, visible chrome dimension, and oil leakage, and 
perform corrective actions, if necessary. The actions specified by this 
new proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the MLG main 
fitting, which could result in collapse of the MLG upon landing. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 17, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-68-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. 2000-NM-68-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., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 
6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Serge Napoleon, Aerospace Engineer, 
ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, 
Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7512; 
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-68-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-68-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to add an airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to 
certain Bombardier Model CL-600-B219 series airplanes, was published as 
a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on 
August 23, 2000 (65 FR 51259). That NPRM would have required repetitive 
eddy current inspections for cracking of the main landing gear (MLG) 
main fittings, and corrective action, if necessary. Such cracking of 
the MLG, if not corrected, could result in collapse of the MLG upon 
landing.

Since the Issuance of Previous Proposal

    Further investigation into the premature failure of the MLG main 
fitting has revealed that, under certain conditions, an improperly 
serviced shock strut could lead to the premature failure of the MLG 
main fitting.

Issuance of New Service Information

    Since the issuance of the previous proposal, Bombardier issued 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) A601R-32-079, Revision D, dated December 
1, 2000, that describes procedures for repetitive eddy current 
inspections to detect cracking of the MLG, and replacement of any 
cracked fitting with a new or serviceable fitting. Revision D of the 
ASB also describes procedures for

[[Page 16157]]

servicing the MLG shock struts, and repetitive inspections to determine 
the nitrogen pressure, visible chrome dimension, and any oil leakage. 
The ASB also describes corrective procedures for servicing the MLG, if 
necessary. The Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Canada, issued Canadian airworthiness 
directive CF-1999-32R1, dated January 22, 2001, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.

Differences Between Service Information and this Proposed Rule

    Operators should note that, although Revision D of Bombardier ASB 
A601R-32-079 also includes procedures for performing a visual 
inspection to detect cracking of the MLG, this proposed rule would not 
require that inspection. The FAA finds that a visual inspection in this 
area of the landing gear would not be reliable or effective in 
determining the existence of a crack at that location. This finding 
also is consistent with the findings of the TCCA.

Comments Received to Proposed Rule

    Due consideration has been given to the comments received in 
response to the proposed rule.
    One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the FAA revise the 
NPRM to add new inspections of the MLG shock struts in accordance with 
Revision D of ASB A601R-32-079. The manufacturer states that results of 
an investigation indicate that, under certain conditions, an improperly 
serviced shock strut may be the probable cause of premature failure of 
the MLG main fitting. (The cause of cracking of the MLG fittings that 
were specified in the preamble of the NPRM was not known at that time.) 
Therefore, the manufacturer requests that the inspections of the shock 
struts, in accordance with the new service bulletin revision, be 
required.
    The FAA agrees with the commenter for the reasons specified. We 
have added new paragraphs, (c) and (d), to this supplemental NPRM, 
which would require the previously described inspections of the 
fitting, and corrective actions, if necessary, per Revision D of the 
ASB.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Conclusion

    Since this change expands the scope of the originally proposed 
rule, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment 
period to provide additional opportunity for public comment.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 339 Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 series 
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 236 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this 
proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work hours per airplane 
to accomplish an eddy current inspection, and the servicing actions, 
and inspections specified in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this AD. 
We estimate that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $42,480, or $180 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 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 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 Canadair): Docket 2000-NM-68-AD.

    Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 series airplanes, certificated 
in any category, serial numbers 7003 and subsequent.

    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 (g) 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 failure of the main fitting of the main landing gear 
(MLG), which could result in collapse of the MLG upon landing, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection and Replacement

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 1,500 total flight cycles, or 
within 150 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later: Perform an eddy current inspection to detect 
cracking of the MLG main fittings, in accordance with Part B of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 
A601R-32-079, Revision D, dated December 1, 2000. If any cracking is 
found, prior to further flight, replace the cracked fitting with a 
new or serviceable fitting in accordance with the alert service 
bulletin. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 500 flight cycles.

[[Page 16158]]

Servicing the Shock Struts

    (b) Prior to the accumulation of 1,500 total flight cycles since 
the date of manufacture, or within 500 flight cycles after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Perform a 
servicing (Oil and Nitrogen) of the MLG shock struts (left and right 
main landing shock struts), in accordance with Part C (for airplanes 
on the ground) or Part D (for airplanes on jacks) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 
A601R-32-079, Revision D, dated December 1, 2000.

Other Inspections

    (c) Within 500 flight cycles after completing the actions 
required by paragraph (b) of this AD: Perform an inspection of the 
MLG left and right shock struts for nitrogen pressure, visible 
chrome dimension, and oil leakage, in accordance with Part E of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 
A601R-32-079, Revision D, dated December 1, 2000. Thereafter, repeat 
the inspection at intervals not to exceed 500 flight cycles.

Corrective Actions for Certain Inspections

    (d) If the chrome extension dimension of the shock strut 
pressure reading is outside the limits specified in the Airplane 
Maintenance Manual, Task 32-11-05-220-801, or any oil leakage is 
found: Prior to further flight, service the MLG shock strut in 
accordance with Part C (for airplanes on the ground) or Part D (for 
airplanes on jacks) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Alert Service Bulletin A601R-32-079, Revision D, dated December 1, 
2000.

Extension of the Repetitive Interval

    (e) After the effective date of this AD: After a total of five 
consecutive inspections of the MLG shock struts that verify that the 
shock struts are serviced properly, and a total of five consecutive 
eddy current inspections of the MLG main fitting has been 
accomplished that verify there is no cracking of the main fitting, 
in accordance with Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-32-079, 
Revision D, dated December 1, 2000, the repetitive interval for the 
eddy current inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD may be 
extended from every 500 flight cycles to every 1,000 flight cycles.

Reporting Requirement

    (f) Within 30 days after each inspection and servicing required 
by paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this AD, report all findings, 
positive or negative, to: Bombardier Aerospace, Regional Aircraft, 
CRJ Action Desk, fax number 514-855-8501. Information collection 
requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have 
been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) 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 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

    (h) 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-1999-32R1, dated January 22, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 15, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-7174 Filed 3-22-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P