[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 238 (Thursday, December 11, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69057-69059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30677]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-79-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, 
-201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 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 DHC-8-
102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes. This 
proposal would require a one-time inspection to determine the serial 
numbers of the elevator and aileron servos of the drive assemblies of 
the automatic flight control system, and follow-on corrective actions 
if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent separation of the 
screws from the autopilot clutch assembly of the SM-300 servo, which 
could result in uncommanded engagement of the autopilot servo and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 12, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-79-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-79-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 or 2000 or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 
123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, 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: Ezra Sasson, 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) 256-7520; 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

[[Page 69058]]

must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following 
statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 2002-NM-79-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-79-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 DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -
301, -311, -314, and -315 airplanes. TCCA advises that investigation of 
an incident involving higher-than-normal aileron control forces 
revealed that the screws in the SM-300 autopilot clutch assembly had 
backed out sufficiently, causing the clutch to mechanically engage the 
autopilot servo. Further investigation showed that inadequate adhesive 
was used on the screws during manufacture of the assembly. The adhesive 
was used on both elevator and aileron servo assemblies. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in uncommanded engagement of the 
autopilot servo, and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Alert Service Bulletin A8-22-18, Revision 
``B'' dated November 19, 2001, which describes procedures for a one-
time inspection to determine the serial numbers of the elevator and 
aileron servo drive assemblies of the automatic flight control system, 
and follow-on corrective actions if necessary. The corrective actions 
involve replacing any elevator or aileron servo having any serial 
number between 4826 and 5935 inclusive (part number (P/N) 7002260-922 
for the elevator servo and P/N 7002260-923 for the aileron servo), and 
doing an adjustment/test procedure. Accomplishment of the actions 
specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition.
    The Bombardier service bulletin includes Honeywell Alert Service 
Bulletin 7002260-22-A0013, dated July 26, 2001, which contains 
procedures for replacing the clutch screws and applying an epoxy 
adhesive in lieu of the retaining compound currently used to hold the 
screws in place, replacing the identification plate, and testing to 
verify the screw retention.
    TCCA classified the Bombardier service bulletin as mandatory and 
issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2001-40, dated November 9, 
2001, to ensure 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 
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 us informed of the 
situation described above. We have 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 AD

    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 Among Canadian Airworthiness Directive, Service Bulletin, 
and This Proposed AD

    Although paragraph 1.B. of the Honeywell Alert Service Bulletin 
included in Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-22-18, Revision ``B'', 
specifies accomplishment of concurrent requirements, the modifications 
specified in that paragraph have been done by operators before the 
effective date of this AD; therefore, this AD does not include those 
requirements.
    Whereas the service bulletin specifies a check for certain serial 
numbers, and the Canadian airworthiness directive specifies a visual 
inspection, this proposed AD would require a general visual inspection. 
A note has been added to the proposed rule to define that inspection.
    Bombardier Model DHC-8-314 is not included in the applicability of 
this AD; it has not been U.S. type certificated.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 200 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 $65 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed inspection on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $13,000, or $65 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or 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.

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 69059]]

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 2002-NM-79-
AD.

    Applicability: Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -
311, and -315 airplanes; serial numbers 003 through 580 inclusive; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent separation of the screws in the autopilot clutch 
assembly of the SM-300 servo, which could result in uncommanded 
engagement of the autopilot servo and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

One-Time Inspection/Follow-on Corrective Action, if Necessary

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
general visual inspection to determine the serial numbers of the 
elevator and aileron servo drive assemblies of the automatic flight 
control system per paragraphs III.1. and III.2. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-
22-18, Revision ``B'', dated November 19, 2001.

    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 any elevator or aileron servo, P/N 7002260-922, or any 
aileron servo, P/N 7002260-923, with serial numbers 4826 through 
5935 inclusive, is found: Before further flight, do all the follow-
on actions per paragraphs III.3. and III.4. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-22-18, Revision 
``B'', dated November 19, 2001; and per paragraphs 3.A. through 3.F. 
of the Honeywell Accomplishment Instructions specified on pages 14 
through 17 of the Bombardier service bulletin.
    (2) If no serial number specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD 
is found, no further action is required by this paragraph.

Part Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an elevator or aileron servo, P/N 7002260-922, or an aileron servo, 
P/N 7002260-923, with serial numbers 4826 through 5935 inclusive, on 
any airplane.

    Note 2: Although Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-22-18, 
Revision ``B'', dated November 19, 2001, specifies accomplishment of 
concurrent requirements, this AD does not include those 
requirements.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-2001-40, dated November 9, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 4, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30677 Filed 12-10-03; 8:45 am]
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