[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 7, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18306-18308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7889]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-185-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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[[Page 18307]]

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102 
airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the electrical 
power circuit. This action is necessary to prevent component failure in 
the radar indicator, resulting in an overcurrent condition and 
consequent overheating or burning of an internal component or the 
ribbon cable. This could lead to smoke in the cockpit, resulting in 
incapacitation of the flight crew and loss of control of the airplane. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-185-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. 2003-NM-185-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., 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 New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Ave., Westbury, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Wagner, Electrical Systems 
Engineer, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 
Stewart Ave., Westbury, New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7306; fax 
(516) 794-5531.

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 2003-NM-185-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. 2003-NM-185-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 exists 
on certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102 airplanes. TCCA advises that it 
has received reports of smoke in the cockpit. The cause has been 
attributed to insufficient circuit protection being provided by the 
existing circuit breaker in the avionics circuit breaker panel leading 
to component failure in the radar indicator, resulting in an 
overcurrent condition and consequent overheating or burning of an 
internal component or the ribbon cable. This condition, if not 
corrected, could lead to smoke in the cockpit, resulting in 
incapacitation of the flight crew and loss of control of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Modification Summary Package (ModSum) 
IS8Q3450000, Revision A, released October 16, 2002, which describes 
procedures for modification of the electrical power circuit. The 
modification includes replacing the 7.5 ampere (amp) circuit breaker on 
the avionics circuit breaker panel with a new 5.0 amp circuit breaker; 
installing an additional 3.0 amp circuit breaker for the radar 
indicator; re-terminating existing connecting wires; taping and stowing 
existing wires; adding new wires (routing new wires with existing 
wires); and performing an operational test of the weather radar system; 
as applicable. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the ModSum is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. TCCA 
classified this ModSum as mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness 
directive CF-2003-13, effective June 20, 2003, 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 
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 ModSum described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 48 Model DHC-8-102 airplanes of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD. The average labor rate 
is $65 per work hour and the estimated time to accomplish this proposed 
AD is between 3 work hours and 9 work hours

[[Page 18308]]

per airplane. Required parts would cost $150 per airplane. Total 
estimated cost would be between $16,560 and $35,280, or between $345 
and $735 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 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 de Havilland, Inc.): Docket 2003-NM-185-
AD.

    Applicability: Model DHC-8-102 airplanes, serial numbers 023 
through 392 inclusive; certificated in any category; equipped with 
an RDS86 Weather Radar System, excluding those airplanes equipped 
with option CR834CH00284.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent component failure in the radar indicator, resulting 
in an overcurrent condition and consequent overheating or burning of 
an internal component or the ribbon cable, which could lead to smoke 
in the cockpit, resulting in incapacitation of the crew and loss of 
control of the airplane; accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 12 months from the effective date of this AD, modify 
the electrical power circuit by accomplishing all the actions in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Modification Summary 
Package (ModSum) IS8Q3450000, Revision A, released October 16, 2002; 
as applicable. Do the actions per the ModSum.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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.

    Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-2003-13, effective June 20, 2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 30, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 04-7889 Filed 4-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P