[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75830-75833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27507]



[[Page 75830]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19862; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-228-AD; 
Amendment 39-13907; AD 2004-25-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), 
CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) series airplanes. This 
AD requires revising the airplane flight manual to provide the 
flightcrew with procedures and limitations for operating an airplane 
with out-of-tolerance angle of attack (AOA) transducers. This AD also 
requires repetitive linearity tests of the AOA transducers, and 
corrective action if necessary. This AD is prompted by a report of 
premature wear of the potentiometers in AOA transducers having a 
certain part number. We are issuing this AD to prevent a delay in the 
stall computer commands for stall warning, stick shaker, and stick 
pusher operation, due to premature wear of the potentiometers of the 
AOA transducers, which may cause the airplane to enter a stall 
condition, and result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective January 4, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
January 4, 2005.
    We must receive comments on this AD by February 18, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Bombardier, 
Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station Centre-ville, 
Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. You can examine this information at 
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket 
number is FAA-2004-19862; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-228-AD.

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: Wing Chan, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410, 
Westbury, New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7311; fax (516) 794-5531.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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), CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and 
CL-604) series airplanes. TCCA advises that angle of attack (AOA) 
transducers having a certain part number may have potentiometers that 
wear prematurely. The problem is dormant and can only be identified on 
in-service airplanes by a linearity test of each AOA transducer. 
Prematurely worn potentiometers in the AOA transducers, if not 
corrected, could result in a delay in the stall computer commands for 
stall warning, stick shaker, and stick pusher operation, which may 
cause the airplane to enter a stall condition, and result in loss of 
control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued the following temporary revisions (TR) to the 
applicable Canadair Challenger airplane flight manual (AFM).

                                         Bombardier Temporary Revisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Temporary          Product support
                  Model                      revision             publication                    Dated
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes...        600/20-2  600 (not stated in          October 15, 2004
                                                           document).
                                              600-1/15-2  600-1 (not stated in        October 15, 2004
                                                           document).
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) series airplanes...        601/12-2  601-1B-1..................  October 15, 2004
                                                601/13-2  601-1A-1..................  October 15, 2004
                                                601/17-2  601-1B....................  October 15, 2004
                                                601/25-2  601-1A-18 (not stated in    October 15, 2004
                                                           document).

[[Page 75831]]

 
CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and -3R) series          601/22-2  601A-1-1..................  October 15, 2004
 airplanes.
                                                601/23-2  601A-1....................  October 15, 2004
CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series airplanes...         604/9-6  604-1.....................  October 15, 2004
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Among other things, the TRs describe procedures for revising the 
Limitations, Performance, and Normal Procedures Sections of the 
applicable Canadair Challenger AFM, to provide the flightcrew with 
procedures and limitations for operating an airplane with any out-of-
tolerance AOA transducer.
    Bombardier has also issued the following alert service bulletins:

                                             Alert Service Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Bombardier alert
         For model--               service bulletin                               Dated
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series                  A600-0729                                          October 14, 2004
 airplanes...................
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) series                  A601-0571                                          October 14, 2004
 airplanes and CL-600-2B16
 (CL-601-3A and -3R) series
 airplanes...................
CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series                A604-27-026                                          October 14, 2004
 airplanes...................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The alert service bulletins describe procedures for doing 
repetitive linearity checks (tests) for each AOA transducer, and 
corrective action if necessary. The corrective action includes 
replacing any AOA transducer that does not meet the specified linearity 
requirements with a serviceable AOA transducer.
    TCCA mandated the temporary revisions and alert service bulletins 
and issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2004-22, dated October 
22, 2004, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
Canada.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    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. According to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, TCCA has kept us informed of the 
situation described above. We have examined the TCCA's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are issuing this AD to require revising the airplane 
flight manual to provide the flightcrew with procedures and limitations 
for operating an airplane with out-of-tolerance AOA transducers. This 
AD also requires repetitive linearity tests of the AOA transducers, and 
corrective action if necessary. This AD requires accomplishing the 
actions specified in the service information described previously, 
except as described in ``Differences Between This AD and Referenced 
Alert Service Bulletins.''

Difference Between Proposed AD and Referenced Alert Service Bulletins

    Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the referenced alert service bulletins describe 
procedures for submitting service bulletin incorporation notices to the 
manufacturer, this AD does not require those actions.

Clarification of Terminology

    In this AD, the linearity ``checks'' of the AOA transducers 
specified in the Canadian airworthiness directive and the Bombardier 
alert service bulletins are referred to as ``tests.''

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time we may consider further rulemaking.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD; therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment 
before the AD is issued is impracticable, and good cause exists to make 
this AD effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written 
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an 
address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19862; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-228-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light 
of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of our docket 
Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you can visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications with you. You can get more information about plain 
language at http://www/faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

[[Page 75832]]

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to 
examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2004-25-19 Bombardier, Inc., (Formerly Canadair): Amendment 39-
13907. Docket No. FAA-2004-19862; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
228-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective January 4, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the Bombardier airplanes, certificated in 
any category, that are listed in Table 1 of this AD.

                         Table 1.--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Which have an angle of
                                 Having serial   attack transducer (AOA)
       Bombardier model             numbers      with the following part
                                                          number
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series    1004 through                  600-59154-5
 airplanes.                     1085 inclusive.
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) series    3001 through                  600-59154-5
 airplanes.                     3066 inclusive.
CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and CL- 5001 through                  600-59154-5
 601-3R) series airplanes.      5194 inclusive.
CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series    5301 and                      600-59154-5
 airplanes.                     subsequent.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of premature wear of the 
potentiometers in AOA transducers having a certain part number. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to prevent a delay in the stall computer 
commands for stall warning, stick shaker, and stick pusher 
operation, due to premature wear of the potentiometers of the AOA 
transducers, which may cause the airplane to enter a stall 
condition, and result in loss of control of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revisions

    (f) Within 7 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise 
the Limitations, Performance, and Normal Procedures Sections of the 
applicable Canadair Challenger AFM by inserting the applicable 
Bombardier temporary revision (TR), as listed in Table 2 of this AD. 
Some TRs listed in Table 2 of this AD contain Product Support 
Publication (PSP) identifiers.

                                    Table 2.--Bombardier Temporary Revisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Temporary
                  Model                      revision                 PSP                        Dated
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes...        600/20-2  600 (not stated in          October 15, 2004.
                                                           document).
                                              600-1/15-2  600-1 (not stated in        October 15, 2004.
                                                           document).
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) series airplanes...        601/12-2  601-1B-1..................  October 15, 2004.
                                                601/13-2  601-1A-1..................  October 15, 2004.
                                                601/17-2  601-1B....................  October 15, 2004.
                                                601/25-2  601-1A-18 (not stated in    October 15, 2004.
                                                           document).
CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and -3R) series          601/22-2  601A-1-1..................  October 15, 2004.
 airplanes.
                                                601/23-2  601A-1....................  October 15, 2004.
CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series airplanes...         604/9-6  604-1.....................  October 15, 2004.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Repetitive Tests

    (g) Prior to the accumulation of 100 total flight hours on any 
AOA transducer, part number (P/N) 600-59154-5, since new, or within 
50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever is 
later: Perform a linearity test of each AOA transducer by 
accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Bombardier alert 
service bulletin listed in Table 3 of this AD. Repeat the linearity 
test of each AOA transducer thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
100 flight hours. Although the alert service bulletins specify to 
submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include such a requirement.

[[Page 75833]]



                                  Table 3.--Bombardier Alert Service Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Bombardier alert
              For model--                 service bulletin            Dated                    Excluding
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes..          A600-0729  October 14, 2004.........  Appendix A
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) series airplanes            A601-0571  October 14, 2004.........  Appendix A
 and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and -3R)
 series airplanes.
CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series airplanes..        A604-27-026  October 14, 2004.........  Appendix A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Corrective Action

    (h) For any AOA transducer, P/N 600-59154-5, that does not pass 
any linearity test as required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Before 
further flight, replace the affected AOA transducer with a 
serviceable transducer by accomplishing the applicable actions 
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
Bombardier alert service bulletin listed in Table 3 of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (j) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2004-22, dated October 
22, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use the Bombardier alert service bulletins and 
temporary revisions to the applicable Canadair Challenger airplane 
flight manuals specified in Table 4 of this AD, to perform the 
actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves the 
incorporation by reference of those documents in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of the service 
information, contact Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, 
P.O. Box 6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, 
Canada. You can review copies at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-
401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; or at the National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

              Table 4.--Material Incorporated by Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Bombardier document                PSP            Document date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alert Service Bulletin A600-      None..............  October 14, 2004
 0729, excluding Appendix A.
Alert Service Bulletin A601-      None..............  October 14, 2004
 0571, excluding Appendix A.
Alert Service Bulletin A604-27-   None..............  October 14, 2004
 026, excluding Appendix A.
Temporary Revision 600/20-2.....  600 (not stated in  October 15, 2004
                                   document).
Temporary Revision 600-1/15-2...  600-1 (not stated   October 15, 2004
                                   in document).
Temporary Revision 601/12-2.....  601-1B-1..........  October 15, 2004
Temporary Revision 601/13-2.....  601-1A-1..........  October 15, 2004
Temporary Revision 601/17-2.....  601-1B............  October 15, 2004
Temporary Revision 601/22-2.....  601A-1-1..........  October 15, 2004
Temporary Revision 601/23-2.....  601A-1............  October 15, 2004
Temporary Revision 601/25-2.....  601-1A-18 (not      October 15, 2004
                                   stated in
                                   document).
Temporary Revision 604/9-6......  604-1.............  October 15, 2004
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 6, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-27507 Filed 12-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P