[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 159 (Monday, August 18, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49336-49337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20711]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-328-AD; Amendment 39-13266; AD 2003-16-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional 
Jet Series 100 & 440) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 
100 & 440) airplanes, that requires installing new vent tube assemblies 
for the main fuel tanks; and, on certain airplanes, inspecting to 
measure the clearance between the vent system tubing and the applicable 
wing ribs, and corrective action if necessary. This action is necessary 
to prevent a fire hazard due to fuel spillage. This action is intended 
to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective September 22, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 22, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification 
Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York; or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
Suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Delisio, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New 
York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7521; fax (516) 568-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-
2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on June 18, 2003 (68 FR 36513). That action proposed 
to require installing new vent tube assemblies for the main fuel tanks; 
and, on certain airplanes, inspecting to measure the clearance between 
the vent system tubing and the applicable wing ribs, and corrective 
action if necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Change to Labor Rate Estimate

    We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several 
years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various 
inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to 
increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work 
hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects 
this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that the installation will be required to be 
accomplished on 45 Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 
airplanes of U.S. registry. It will take approximately 15 work hours 
per airplane to accomplish the installation at an average labor rate of 
$65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $10,273 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the installation 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $506,160, or $11,248 per airplane.
    The FAA estimates that the inspection will be required to be 
accomplished on 43 Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 
airplanes of U.S. registry. It will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the inspection at an average labor rate of $65 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,795, or $65 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish

[[Page 49337]]

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 adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-16-13 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Amendment 39-13266. 
Docket 2001-NM-328-AD.

    Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 
airplanes having serial numbers 7003 through 7067 inclusive and 7069 
through 7109 inclusive, certificated in any category; excluding 
those airplanes on which the actions specified in Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 601R-28-024, dated May 21, 1996, have been accomplished. 
(This applicability includes airplanes informally identified as 
``Series 200.'')
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a fire hazard in the main fuel tanks due to fuel 
spillage, accomplish the following:

Installation

    (a) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, install 
new vent tube assemblies for the main fuel tanks, per Part A of 
paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 601R-28-024, Revision ``A'', dated November 11, 
1998.

Inspection and Corrective Action

    (b) For airplanes having serial numbers 7003 through 7035 
inclusive, and 7048 through 7057 inclusive: Before further flight 
after installing the vent tube assemblies as required by paragraph 
(a) of this AD, perform a general visual inspection to measure the 
clearance between the vent system tubing and the applicable wing 
rib, per Part B of paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-28-024, Revision ``A,'' dated 
November 11, 1998.

    Note 1: 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 from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight 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.''

    (1) If the clearance between the vent system tubing and the 
applicable wing rib is 0.125 inch or more, no further action is 
required by this paragraph.
    (2) If the clearance between the vent system tubing and the 
applicable wing rib is less than 0.125 inch, prior to further 
flight, install the bracket assemblies per paragraphs 2.B.(8) 
through 2.B.(10) of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service 
bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, New York 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 601R-28-024, Revision ``A,'' dated November 11, 
1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director 
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, 
Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, 
Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. Copies may be inspected 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; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 
700, Washington, DC.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-2001-31, dated August 7, 2001.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on September 22, 2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 7, 2003.
Neil D. Schalekamp,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-20711 Filed 8-15-03; 8:45 am]
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