[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 36 (Friday, February 22, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8214-8216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4226]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-49-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 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 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-
2B19 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time 
inspection of the fuel-level sensing wires in the center fuel tank for 
damage and for clearance from the adjacent structure. This proposal 
would also require corrective action, if necessary. This action is 
necessary to detect and correct inadequate clearance between the fuel-
level sensing wires in the center fuel tank and adjacent structures, 
which could lead to chafing of the wires, resulting in electrical 
arcing between the fuel-level sensing wires and the center fuel tank 
and a consequent fire or explosion in the center fuel tank. This action 
is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 25, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-49-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. 2001-NM-49-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: Luciano Castracane, Aerospace 
Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York 
Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley 
Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7535; 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 2001-NM-49-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 Number 2001-NM-49-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 CL-600-2B19 series airplanes. TCCA 
advises that during accomplishment of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 
601R-28-036, chafing of the fuel-level sensing wires was observed in 
the center fuel tank of an in-service airplane. Inadequate clearance 
between the fuel-level sensing wires and adjacent structures could lead 
to chafing of the wires, which if not corrected, could result in 
electrical arcing between the fuel-level sensing wires and the center 
fuel tank and a consequent fire or explosion in the center fuel tank.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Alert Service Bulletin 601R-28-042, Revision 
``A,'' dated January 12, 2001, which describes procedures for 
performing the following actions:
     A one-time general visual inspection of the fuel-level 
sensing wires in the center fuel tank for damage and for clearance from 
the adjacent structure;

[[Page 8215]]

     Adjustment of the clearance between the fuel-level sensing 
wires and adjacent structures;
     Replacement of damaged fuel-level sensing wires with new, 
improved fuel-level sensing wires; and
     Installation of clamps to maintain clearance between the 
fuel-level sensing wires and an adjacent pipe.

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-2000-31, dated October 4, 2000, in order to 
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in Canada and is 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 160 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 10 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection and clamping, 
and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts 
would be provided at no charge by the manufacturer. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $96,000, or $600 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 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 2001-NM-49-
AD.

    Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 7003 through 7295 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 detect and correct inadequate clearance between the fuel-
level sensing wires in the center fuel tank and adjacent structures, 
which could lead to chafing of the wires, resulting in electrical 
arcing between the fuel-level sensing wires and the center fuel tank 
and a consequent fire or explosion in the center fuel tank, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) At the next ``A'' check but no later than 500 flight hours 
after the effective date of this AD: Perform a general visual 
inspection of the fuel-level sensing wires in the center fuel tank 
for damage and for clearance from adjacent structures, in accordance 
with Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 601R-28-042, Revision ``A'', 
dated January 12, 2001. If the inspection reveals that the clearance 
between the fuel-level sensing wires and adjacent structures is less 
than the minimum clearance specified in the service bulletin, prior 
to further flight, adjust the clearance in accordance with the 
service bulletin.

    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.''


    Note 3: Inspection, adjustment of the clearance between the 
fuel-level sensing wires and adjacent structures, and replacement of 
damaged fuel-level sensing wires accomplished prior to the effective 
date of this AD, in accordance with Bombardier Alert Service 
Bulletin 601R-28-042, dated August 14, 2000, are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the applicable action specified in 
this AD.


[[Page 8216]]



Replacement

    (b) If the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD 
reveals damage to the fuel-level sensing wires: Prior to further 
flight, replace the damaged fuel-level sensing wires having part 
number (P/N) 601R57137-1/01 with new, improved fuel-level sensing 
wires having P/N 601R57137-1/S01, in accordance with Bombardier 
Alert Service Bulletin 601R-28-042, Revision `A,' dated January 12, 
2001.

Installation of Cushioned Clamps

    (c) Prior to further flight after accomplishing the actions 
required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD, if applicable: 
Install cushioned clamps between pipe P/N 601R62261-55 and the fuel-
level sensing wires, in accordance with Bombardier Alert Service 
Bulletin 601R-28-042, Revision `A,' dated January 12, 2001.

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 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 
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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-2000-31, dated October 4, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 12, 2002.
Charles D. Huber,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-4226 Filed 2-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P