[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 40 (Friday, February 28, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9602-9607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4739]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-157-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), 
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-
604) 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

[[Page 9603]]

certain Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), 
and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) series airplanes. 
This proposal would require revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) 
to provide the flightcrew with procedures and limitations for operating 
the airplane with out-of-tolerance angle of attack (AOA) transducers. 
This proposal also would require, among other actions, measuring the 
vane angles and voltage of the AOA transducers; reworking the AOA 
transducer assemblies; repetitive measurements of the resistance of 
both AOA transducers; and follow-on and corrective actions, as 
applicable. This action is necessary to prevent flat spots on the 
potentiometers of the AOA transducers due to wear, which may cause a 
delay in the commands for stall warning, stick shaker, and stick pusher 
operation. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 31, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-157-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. 2002-NM-157-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:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] 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 2002-NM-157-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. 2002-NM-157-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-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 
(CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) series 
airplanes. TCCA advises that, during testing of an airplane, flat spots 
were discovered on the potentiometers of the angle of attack (AOA) 
transducers due to wear. Since the AOA transducers work in conjunction 
with the stall protection system (SPS), these flat spots, if not 
corrected, may cause a delay in the commands for stall warning, stick 
shaker, and stick pusher operation.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued the applicable Canadair Challenger 
temporary revisions to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) listed in Table 
2 of this AD. The temporary revisions describe procedures for revising 
the Limitations, Emergency Procedures, Normal Procedures, and Abnormal 
Procedures Sections of the FAA-approved Canadair Challenger AFM, as 
applicable, to provide the flightcrew with procedures and limitations 
for operating the airplane with out-of-tolerance AOA transducers.
    The manufacturer also has issued the applicable Bombardier service 
bulletins listed in Table 3 of this AD, which describe the following 
procedures:
    [sbull] Measuring the vane angles and voltage of the AOA 
transducers; follow-on and corrective actions, as applicable; and 
recording and reporting incorporation of the service bulletin to 
Bombardier. The follow-on and corrective actions include replacing the 
stall protection computer (SPC) with a new SPC; recording and repeating 
actions; disconnecting the breakout box; measuring the baseline 
resistance of the AOA transducer between certain pins; and measuring 
the baseline resistance of the other AOA transducer for temporary 
deferral of reworking the AOA transducer assemblies; as applicable. 
Certain follow-on actions eliminate the need for the AFM revisions 
described previously.
    [sbull] Reworking the AOA transducer assemblies and measuring the 
baseline resistance of the applicable AOA transducers, which eliminate 
the need for the AFM revisions described previously;
    [sbull] Performing repetitive measurements of the resistance of 
both AOA transducers, and doing applicable corrective actions. The 
corrective actions include replacement of the AOA transducer with new 
AOA transducer; visual inspection of the vane assembly; rework, if 
necessary; a test; and measurement of baseline resistance of the 
applicable AOA transducer.
    In addition, the manufacturer has issued Bombardier Alert Service

[[Page 9604]]

Bulletin A601-0519, dated July 30, 1999, including Service Bulletin 
Incorporation Sheet (for Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) and CL-600-2B16 
(CL-601-3A and -3R) series airplanes); Bombardier Alert Service 
Bulletin A600-0693, dated July 30, 1999, including Service Bulletin 
Incorporation Sheet (for Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes); 
and Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A604-11-009, dated July 30, 1999, 
including Service Bulletin Incorporation Sheet (for Model CL-600-2B16 
(CL-604) series airplanes); as applicable. These service bulletins 
describe procedures for performing an inspection of the left- and 
right-side AOA vane decal to verify that the correct decal is 
installed; performing corrective action if necessary; and recording and 
reporting incorporation of the service bulletin to Bombardier. The 
corrective action includes replacing the incorrect AOA vane decal(s) 
with new, correct vane decal(s), and ensuring that the new decal(s) is 
the correct type; or removing existing decals, and doing alignment 
check(s) of the AOA vane transducers, if replacement decals are not 
available.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the applicable temporary 
revisions and service bulletins is intended to adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition. TCCA has issued Canadian airworthiness 
directive CF-2002-05, dated January 18, 2002, 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 applicable temporary revisions and service 
bulletins described previously, except as discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Canadain Airworthiness Directive

    Operators should note that, although the parallel Canadian 
airworthiness directive requires operators to forward a copy of the 
Test Result Sheets and Service Bulletin Incorporation Sheets of the 
applicable service bulletin to Bombardier, this proposed AD would not 
require those actions.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 424 Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), 
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-
604) series airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this 
proposed AD. Table--Cost Impact shows the estimated cost impact for 
airplanes affected by this AD. The average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour.

                                               Table.--Cost Impact
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                                                                                                  Total cost per
                    Actions                      Work hour(s)              Parts cost                airplane
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AFM revision..................................               1  none............................             $60
Measurement of the vane angles and voltage of                5  none............................             300
 AOA transducers (Part A).
Rework the AOA transducer assemblies and                    17  $161............................           2,737
 measurement of the baseline resistance of the
 applicable AOA transducers (Part B).
Measurement of the resistance of both AOA                    1  none............................              60
 transducers (Part C).
Inspection of the left- and right-side AOA                   1  none............................              60
 vane decal.
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    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 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. Manufacturer warranty remedies may be available 
for labor costs associated with this proposed AD. As a result, the 
costs attributable to the proposed AD may be less than stated above.

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:

[[Page 9605]]

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 2002-NM-157-AD.

    Applicability: This AD applies to the airplanes listed in Table 
1 of this AD, certificated in any category:

                         Table 1.--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes.....  1004 through 1085 inclusive.
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) series airplanes.....  3001 through 3066 inclusive.
CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and -3R) series      5001 through 5194 inclusive.
 airplanes.
CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series airplanes.....  5301 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 (n) 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 flat spots on the potentiometers of the AOA 
transducers due to wear, which may cause a delay in the commands for 
stall warning, stick shaker, and stick pusher operation, accomplish 
the following:

Revision of Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (a) Before the accumulation of 300 total flight hours, or within 
7 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
revise the Limitations, Emergency Procedures, Normal Procedures, and 
Abnormal Procedures Sections, as applicable, of the applicable 
Canadair Challenger AFM by inserting a copy of the applicable 
Temporary Revision listed in Table 2 of this AD. Table 2 is as 
follows (some Temporary Revisions listed in Table 2 of this AD 
contain Product Support Publication (PSP) identifiers):

                                          Table 2.--Temporary Revisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Temporary
                Model                             PSP              revision                  Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes  none....................       600/21  November 26, 2001.
                                       none....................       600/20  November 26, 2001.
                                       none....................     600-1/17  November 26, 2001.
                                       PSP 600-1-18............     600-1/13  November 26, 2001
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) series airplanes  none....................       601/25  November 26, 2001.
                                       PSP 601-1A-1............       601/13  November 26, 2001.
                                       PSP 601-1A-17...........       601/24  November 26, 2001.
                                       PSP 601-1A-18...........       601/25  November 26, 2001.
                                       PSP 601-1B..............       601/17  November 26, 2001.
                                       PSP-601-1B-1............       601/12  November 26, 2001.
CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and -3R)        PSP 601A-1..............       601/23  November 26, 2001.
 series airplanes.                     PSP 601A-1-1............       601/22  November 26, 2001.
                                       PSP 601A-1-17...........       601/22  November 26, 2001.
                                       PSP 601A-1-18...........       601/21  November 26, 2001.
                                       PSP 601A-1-18A..........       601/24  November 26, 2001.
                                       PSP 601A-1-20A..........       601/15  November 26, 2001.
CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series airplanes  PSP 604-1...............        604/9  November 26, 2001.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Measurement

    (b) Before the accumulation of 300 total flight hours, or within 
200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, measure the vane angles and voltage of the angle of 
attack (AOA) transducers by doing all actions specified in ``PART 
A--Initial Special Check'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
applicable alert service bulletin listed in Table 3 of this AD, per 
the applicable Bombardier alert service bulletin; except that it is 
not necessary to complete the Test Results and Service Bulletin 
Incorporation Sheets. Table 3 is as follows:

                                        Table 3.--Alert Service Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           For model--               Alert service bulletin             Date                   Including--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series        A600-0715................  January 7, 2002.........  Service Bulletin
 airplanes.                                                                              Compliance Sheet and
                                                                                         Appendices A and B.
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) series        A601-0550................  January 7, 2002.........  Service Bulletin
 airplanes, and CL-600-2B16 (CL-                                                         Compliance Sheet and
 600-3A and -3R) series airplanes.                                                       Appendices A and B.
CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series        A604-27-011..............  January 7, 2002.........  Service Bulletin
 airplanes.                                                                              Compliance Sheet and
                                                                                         Appendices A and B.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 9606]]

Any Voltage Outside Tolerances: Replacement

    (c) If, during the measurement required by paragraph (b) of this 
AD, any recorded voltage is found to be outside the tolerances 
specified in the applicable Bombardier alert service bulletin 
identified in Table 3 of this AD, before further flight, replace the 
stall protection computer (SPC) with a new SPC and do the follow-on 
actions (i.e., recording in Appendix A and repeat actions), per 
``PART A--Initial Special Check'' of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of the applicable Bombardier alert service bulletin identified in 
Table 3 of this AD.

All Vane Angles Within Tolerances: Disconnection and Measurement

    (d) If, during the measurement required by paragraph (b) of this 
AD, all of the recorded AOA vane angles for both AOA transducers are 
found to be within the tolerances specified in the applicable 
Bombardier alert service bulletin listed in Table 3 of this AD, 
before further flight, do the follow-on actions (i.e., disconnect 
breakout box, and measure the baseline resistance of the AOA 
transducer between certain pins), per ``PART B--AOA Transducer 
Assembly Rework/Baseline Resistance Check'' of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable Bombardier alert service bulletin 
identified in Table 3 of this AD. After doing the follow-on actions, 
the applicable AFM revision required by paragraph (a) of this AD may 
be removed from the AFM.

One or More AOA Vane Angles Outside Tolerances, But All Vane Angles 
Within Tolerances

    (e) If, during the measurement required by paragraph (b) of this 
AD, one or more of the recorded AOA vane angles for either or both 
AOA transducers are found to be outside the tolerances specified in 
the applicable Bombardier alert service bulletin listed in Table 3 
of this AD, but all recorded vane angles are within the expanded 
tolerances specified in ``Table A--Tolerances'' of ``PART A--Initial 
Special Check'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
Bombardier alert service bulletin identified in Table 3 of this AD, 
do the action specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, except as 
provided by paragraph (e)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Before further flight, do the actions specified in paragraph 
(g) of this AD.
    (2) In lieu of doing the actions required by paragraph (e)(1) of 
this AD, do the actions specified in paragraphs (e)(2)(i) and 
(e)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Before further flight, measure the baseline resistance of 
the other AOA transducer (with recorded vane angles within the 
tolerances specified in the applicable Bombardier alert service 
bulletin listed in Table 3 of this AD) per ``Table A--Tolerances'' 
of ``PART A--Initial Special Check'' of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable Bombardier alert service bulletin 
identified in Table 3 of this AD.
    (ii) Within 150 flight hours after doing the measurement 
required by paragraph (b) of this AD, do the actions specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD.

Any AOA Vane Angle Outside Tolerances

    (f) If, during the measurement required by paragraph (b) of this 
AD, any recorded AOA vane angle of the AOA transducers is found to 
be outside the tolerances specified in the applicable Bombardier 
alert service bulletin listed in Table 3 of this AD, before further 
flight, do the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

Transducer Assembly Rework and Baseline Resistance Measurement

    (g) Except as provided by paragraph (e)(2) of this AD, before 
further flight after doing the measurement required by paragraph (b) 
of this AD, rework the AOA transducer assemblies and measure the 
baseline resistance of the applicable AOA transducers by doing all 
actions specified in ``PART B--AOA Transducer Assembly Rework/
Baseline Resistance Check'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the applicable Bombardier alert service bulletin identified in Table 
3 of this AD, per the applicable Bombardier alert service bulletin. 
After doing the rework, the applicable AFM revision required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD may be removed from the AFM.

Repetitive Measurements and Corrective Actions

    (h) Within 300 flight hours after doing the measurement required 
by paragraph (b) of this AD, measure the resistance of both AOA 
transducers by doing all actions specified in ``PART C--Repetitive 
Resistance Check/AOA Transducer Assembly Rework'' of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable alert service bulletin 
listed in Table 3 of this AD, per the applicable Bombardier alert 
service bulletin. Repeat the measurement at least every 300 flight 
hours.
    (i) If, during the measurement required by paragraph (h) of this 
AD, any recorded resistance is found to be outside the tolerances 
specified in the applicable Bombardier alert service bulletin listed 
in Table 3 of this AD (i.e., more than 20 ohms from its baseline 
resistance value), before further flight, do corrective actions 
(e.g., replace AOA transducer with new AOA transducer; perform a 
visual inspection of the vane assembly; rework, if necessary; a 
test; and measure baseline resistance of applicable AOA transducer), 
as applicable, per PART C--Repetitive Resistance Check/AOA 
Transducer Assembly Rework'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the applicable alert service bulletin listed in Table 3 of this AD.

Concurrent Requirements: Inspection

    (j) For airplanes identified in paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and 
(j)(3) of this AD: Before or at the same time with accomplishment of 
the requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD, inspect the left- and 
right-side AOA vane decal to verify that the correct decal is 
installed per paragraph (j)(1), (j)(2), or (j)(3) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (1) For Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A 
and -3R) series airplanes having serial numbers 3001 through 3066 
inclusive, and 5001 through 5194 inclusive, respectively, on which 
AOA calibration decals, part numbers (P/N) 600-52267-5 and 600-
52267-6, have been installed: Inspect per Bombardier Alert Service 
Bulletin A601-0519, dated July 30, 1999, excluding Service Bulletin 
Compliance Sheet.
    (2) For Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes having 
serial numbers 1004 through 1085 inclusive, on which AOA calibration 
decals, P/Ns 600-52267-5 and 600-52267-6, have been installed: 
Inspect per Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A600-0693, dated July 
30, 1999, excluding Service Bulletin Compliance Sheet.
    (3) For Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series airplanes having 
serial numbers 5301 through 5990 inclusive, on which AOA calibration 
decals, P/Ns 600-52267-5 and 600-52267-6, have been installed: 
Inspect per Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A604-11-009, dated 
July 30, 1999, excluding Service Bulletin Compliance Sheet.

Concurrent Requirements: Corrective Actions

    (k) If either of the AOA vane decals is found to be incorrect 
during the inspection required by paragraph (j) of this AD, before 
further flight, replace the AOA vane decal(s) with new vane 
decal(s), and ensure that the new decal(s) is the correct type, per 
the applicable alert service bulletin identified in paragraph 
(j)(1), (j)(2), or (j)(3) of this AD; except as provided by 
paragraph (l) of this AD.
    (l) If replacement decals are not available, before further 
flight, remove existing decals and do the alignment check(s) of the 
AOA vane transducers per the applicable alert service bulletin 
identified in paragraph (j)(1), (j)(2), or (j)(3) of this AD.

Parts Installation

    (m) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an AOA transducer assembly on any airplane, unless the actions 
required by paragraphs (b) through (l) of this AD, as applicable, 
have been done.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (n) 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

    (o) 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-2002-05, dated January 18, 2002.



[[Page 9607]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 21, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-4739 Filed 2-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P