[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 66 (Thursday, April 7, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17594-17596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6687]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20222; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-230-AD; 
Amendment 39-14041; AD 2005-07-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, 
-201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, 
and-315 airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual 
to include applicable procedures to follow when the flightcrew receives 
abnormal indications of airspeed, altitude, or vertical airspeed. This 
AD also requires modifying the static system. This AD is prompted by a 
report of a leak in the static pressure system, which could result in 
loss of the static systems and consequent erroneous data displayed on 
the pilot's flight instruments. We are issuing this AD to advise the 
flightcrew of applicable procedures in the event of abnormal 
indications of airspeed, altitude, or vertical airspeed; and to prevent 
leaks in the static system, which could result in the loss of critical 
flight information that could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane or controlled flight into terrain.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 12, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of May 
12, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt 
Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada.
    Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any 
final disposition. 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 U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20222; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-230-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra Sasson, 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) 228-7320; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -
202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes. That action, published in the 
Federal Register on February 1, 2005 (70 FR 5078), proposed to require 
revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include applicable 
procedures to follow when the flightcrew receives abnormal indications 
of airspeed, altitude, or vertical airspeed. That action also proposed 
to require modifying the static system.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed 
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this AD.

[[Page 17595]]



                                                                     Estimated Costs
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                                                          Average                                                       Number of U.S.-
                    Action                       Work    labor rate                Parts                   Cost per        registered       Fleet cost
                                                hours     per hour                                         airplane        airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise AFM...................................        1          $65  None............................              $65              181          $11,765
Modify static system.........................        2           65  100-200.........................          230-330              181    41,630-59,730
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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 this AD:
    (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.
    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):

2005-07-17 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment 
39-14041. Docket No. FAA-2005-20222; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
230-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective May 12, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -
201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes, certificated in any 
category; serial numbers 003 through 598 inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of a leak in the static 
pressure system, which could result in loss of the static systems 
and consequent erroneous data displayed on the pilot's flight 
instruments. We are issuing this AD to advise the flightcrew of 
applicable procedures in the event of abnormal indications of 
airspeed, altitude, or vertical airspeed; and to prevent leaks in 
the static system, which could result in the loss of critical flight 
information that could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane or controlled flight into terrain.

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.

Revision to Airplane Flight Manual

    (f) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Normal and Abnormal Procedures sections of the applicable de 
Havilland Dash 8 Flight Manual to include the following statement in 
paragraph 4.11.1 of 4.11 Pitot--Static and Stall Warning System 
Failures. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the 
applicable flight manual.

``4.11.1 ABNORMAL INDICATIONS OF AIRSPEED, ALTITUDE AND VERTICAL 
AIRSPEED.

    1. Appropriate STATIC SOURCE selector--ALTERNATE. If switching 
the STATIC SOURCE selector to ALTERNATE does not correct the 
abnormal indications:
    2. Rely on the flight instruments on the opposite side and land 
as soon as practicable.''

    Note 1: When a statement identical to that in paragraph (f) of 
this AD has been included in the general revisions of the applicable 
flight manual, the general revisions may be inserted into the flight 
manual, and the copy of this AD may be removed from the flight 
manual.

Modification of the Static System

    (g) For airplanes having serial numbers 003 through 590 
inclusive: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
modify the static system in accordance with Part A and Part C of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-34-221, 
Revision `A,' dated September 15, 2003.
    (h) For airplanes having serial numbers 591 through 598 
inclusive: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
modify the static system in accordance with Part B and Part C of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-34-221, 
Revision `A,' dated September 15, 2003.

Modifications Done According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (i) Modifications done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-34-221, dated May 27, 
2003, are acceptable for compliance with the applicable 
modifications specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 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

    (k) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2003-25, dated October 
10, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-34-221, Revision 
`A,' dated September 15, 2003, to perform the actions

[[Page 17596]]

that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by 
reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 
CFR part 51. To get copies of the service information, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt 
Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. To view the AD 
docket, go to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC. To review copies of the service 
information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 24, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6687 Filed 4-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P