[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 18, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41357-41359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15243]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-176-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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, for certain 
airplanes, a one-time inspection to detect chafing or other damage of 
the integrated drive generator (IDG) cables and the firewall separators 
of the pylon, and corrective action if necessary. For other airplanes, 
this proposal would require identification of the part number of the 
clamps, and replacement with new

[[Page 41358]]

clamps if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent electrical 
arcing between the IDG cables and the firewall separators due to 
chafing, which could result in an in-flight fire and/or loss of 
electrical power. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 18, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-176-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-176-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 L. 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-176-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-176-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 there have been numerous incidents of chafing of the 
integrated drive generator (IDG) cables on the firewall separators of 
the pylon. This condition, if not corrected, could result in electrical 
arcing between the IDG cables and the firewall separators, and 
consequent in-flight fire and/or loss of electrical power.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 
A601R-24-091, Revision ``C,'' dated February 1, 2001, which describes 
procedures for a one-time visual inspection to detect chafing or damage 
of the IDG cables from the pylon to its attaching points and the 
firewall separators in the pylon area, and repair or replacement with 
new IDG cables if necessary. For airplanes that have already been 
repaired/modified in accordance with a prior version of the service 
bulletin, Revision ``C'' describes procedures for identifying the part 
number of the IDG clamp, and replacing it with a new clamp having a 
different part number if necessary. 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-2000-17R1, 
dated October 30, 2000, to ensure 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, for certain 
airplanes, a one-time inspection to detect chafing or other damage of 
the IDG cables and the firewall separators of the pylon, and corrective 
action if necessary. For other airplanes, this proposal would require 
identification of the part number of the clamps, and replacement with 
new clamps if necessary. The inspection, corrective action, and 
replacement shall be done in accordance with the service bulletin 
identified previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 160 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 7 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on

[[Page 41359]]

these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD is estimated to be 
$420 per airplane.
    It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to determine 
the part number of the clamp, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD is 
estimated to be $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 Canadair): Docket 2001-NM-176-AD.

    Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 7003 through 7269 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 electrical arcing between the integrated drive 
generator (IDG) cables and the firewall separators due to IDG cable 
chafing, which could result in an in-flight fire and/or loss of 
electrical power, accomplish the following:

Part Number Identification

    (a) For airplanes that have been repaired or modified before the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with Bombardier Alert 
Service Bulletin A601R-24-091, dated March 9, 2000; Revision A, 
dated May 10, 2000; or Revision B, dated September 14, 2000: Within 
550 flight hours or 2 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, determine the part numbers (P/Ns) of the 
clamps that hold the IDG cables on the left and right pylons.
    (1) If the P/N of all clamps is TA121010R14-04: No further 
action is required by this AD.
    (2) If the P/N of any clamp is NOT TA121010R14-04: Before 
further flight, replace the discrepant clamp with a clamp having P/N 
TA121010R14-04.

Inspection

    (b) For airplanes not identified in paragraph (a) of this AD: 
Within 550 flight hours or 2 months after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs first, perform a one-time general visual 
inspection to detect chafing and other damage of the IDG cables and 
the firewall separators of the pylon, in accordance with Bombardier 
Alert Service Bulletin A601R-24-091, Revision ``C,'' dated February 
1, 2001. Prior to further flight thereafter, perform all applicable 
corrective actions and install a clamp, a conduit, and Teflon 
strips, in accordance with the alert service bulletin. If a 
temporary repair is performed, replace the harnesses with new parts 
within 4,000 flight hours after the repair, in accordance with the 
alert service bulletin.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of an inspection and applicable 
corrective actions before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin A601R-24-091, Revision 
`B,' dated September 14, 2000, is acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD.


    Note 3: 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.''

Spares

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an IDG cable clamp, unless it has P/N TA121010R14-04, on any 
airplane.

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-2000-17R1, dated October 30, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 7, 2002.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-15243 Filed 6-17-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P