[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 65 (Thursday, April 4, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16067-16069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8174]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-346-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 inspection of 
certain installed electrical relays to determine whether they have 
certain manufacturing date codes, and replacement of the electrical 
relays with those date codes with new relays with different 
manufacturing date codes. This action is necessary to prevent the 
failure of an electrical relay due to a defective moving blade 
assembly, which could result in the inability to generate electrical 
power from the emergency system, if needed. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 6, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-346-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-346-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

[[Page 16068]]

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-346-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. 2001-NM-346-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 certain Leach ``H'' series electrical relays having part 
number (P/N) H-A4A-039 may have defective moving blade assemblies due 
to improper heat treatment. These defective Leach ``H'' series relays 
were manufactured between March 12, 2000, and December 10, 2000, and 
have manufacturing date codes from 0011 to 0050. These relays were not 
installed in airplanes having line numbers 7003-7067 inclusive and 
7069-7373 inclusive at the time of delivery. However, if any of the 
airplanes with those line numbers have had an original relay replaced 
after March 1, 2000, it is possible that the replacement relay was 
defective. According to Leach International, relays with the defective 
moving blade assemblies failed within the first 500 flight cycles. This 
action is necessary to prevent the failure of an electrical relay due 
to a defective moving blade assembly, which could result in the 
inability to generate electrical power from the emergency system, if 
needed.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Alert Service Bulletin A601R-24-105, Revision 
``A'', dated July 20, 2001, which describes procedures for inspection 
of Leach ``H'' series relays having part number (P/N) H-A4A-039 to 
determine the manufacturing date code. The service bulletin also 
describes procedures for replacement of those Leach ``H'' series relays 
having manufacturing date codes 0011 through 0050 with new Leach ``H'' 
series relays having the same part number but different manufacturing 
date codes.
    The affected relays--called ``suspect relays'' in the service 
bulletin--are the following:
     The air-driven generator (ADG) emergency hydraulic power 
transfer relay (K1XC),
     The ADG emergency electrical power transfer relay (K2XD), 
and
     The alternating current (AC) essential power transfer 
relay (K3XD).
    TCCA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2001-27, dated July 24, 2001, 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 
Sec. 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, 
except as discussed below.

Differences between the Service Bulletin and this AD

    The service bulletin recommends that the visual inspection for 
suspect relays be conducted in conjunction with replacement of any 
suspect relays. However, this AD would require an inspection for 
suspect relays within 14 days after the effective date of the AD. The 
replacement of any suspect relays detected would not be required until 
the passage of 500 or 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of 
the AD, depending upon the relay.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 160 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 1 work hour 
per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the proposed inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,600, or 
$60 per airplane.
    It would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed replacement of suspect relay K1XC at an average labor rate 
of $60 per work hour. There would be no charge for the replacement 
part. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed 
replacement of suspect relay K1XC on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
a maximum of $19,200, or $120 per airplane.
    It would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed replacement of suspect relays K2XD and K3XD at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. There would be no charge for the 
replacement parts. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
proposed replacement of suspect relays D or K3XD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be a maximum of $19,200, or $120 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.

[[Page 16069]]

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 2001-NM-346-AD.

    Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 7003 through 7495 inclusive, 7497 through 7502 inclusive, 
and 7505 through 7507 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 (f) 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 the failure of an electrical relay due to a defective 
moving blade assembly, which could result in the inability to 
generate electrical power from the emergency system, if needed, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
an inspection to determine whether installed Leach ``H'' series 
power transfer relays K1XC, K2XD, and K3XD, all having part number 
(P/N) H-A4A-039, have a manufacturing date code of 0011 through 
0050. The inspection for such ``suspect relays'' is to be performed 
in accordance with Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-24-105, 
Revision ``A'', dated July 20, 2001.

    Note 2: Inspections accomplished prior to the effective date of 
this AD in accordance with Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-
24-105, dated July 4, 2001, are considered acceptable for compliance 
with the applicable action specified in this amendment.

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD: For airplanes 
determined to have suspect Leach ``H'' series relays K1XC or K2XD 
installed, dispatch with an inoperative integrated-drive generator 
(IDG) or auxiliary power unit (APU) is prohibited until replacement 
of the relay with a new relay is accomplished in accordance with 
paragraphs (c) and (d) of this AD.

Replacement

    (c) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Replace suspect relay K1XC with a new relay having a manufacturing 
date code other than 0011 through 0050, in accordance with 
Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-24-105, Revision ``A'', 
dated July 20, 2001.

    Note 3: Replacement of suspect relay K1XC accomplished prior to 
the effective date of this AD in accordance with Bombardier Alert 
Service Bulletin A601R-24-105, dated July 4, 2001, is considered 
acceptable for compliance with the applicable action specified in 
this amendment.

    (d) Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD: Replace suspect relays K2XD and K3XD with new relays having a 
manufacturing date code other then 0011 through 0050, in accordance 
with Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-24-105, Revision ``A'', 
dated July 20, 2001.

    Note 4: Replacement of suspect relays K2XD and K3XD accomplished 
prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with Bombardier 
Alert Service Bulletin A601R-24-105, dated July 4, 2001, is 
considered acceptable for compliance with the applicable action 
specified in this amendment.

Spares

    (e) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a Leach ``H'' series electrical relay having P/N H-A4A-039 that has 
a manufacturing date code of 0011 through 0050 on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (f) 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 5: 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

    (g) 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 6: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-2001-27, dated July 24, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 29, 2002.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-8174 Filed 4-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P