[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 11, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18244-18247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3435]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24411; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-033-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, 
-201, -202, -301, -311, -314, and -315 Airplanes; Equipped with Certain 
Cockpit Door Installations

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -
311, -314, and -315 airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying 
the hinge attachment for the cockpit door from a single-point 
attachment to a two-point attachment. This proposed AD results from a 
report that, during structural testing of the cockpit door, the lower 
hinge block rotated and caused the mating hinge pin to disengage, and 
caused excessive door deflection. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
failure of a door attachment, which could result in uncontrolled 
release of the cockpit door under certain fuselage decompression 
conditions, and possible damage to the airplane structure.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 11, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed 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.
    Contact Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 
123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada, for service 
information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Duckett, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410, Westbury, 
New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7325; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
24411; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-033-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed 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 proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that 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 may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may 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

[[Page 18245]]

the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System receives them.

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for Canada, notified us 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, during structural testing 
of the cockpit door, the lower hinge block rotated and caused the 
mating hinge pin to disengage, and caused excessive door deflection. 
The rotation of the lower hinge block was caused by an inadequate 
number of attachment bolts for the hinge block. This condition, if not 
corrected, could cause failure of a door attachment, which could result 
in uncontrolled release of the cockpit door under certain fuselage 
decompression conditions, and possible damage to the aircraft 
structure.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued the service bulletins listed in the following 
table. These service bulletins apply to Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -
103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, -314, and -315 airplanes that have 
the serial numbers specified in the table.

                      Bombardier Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use this Bombardier Service Bulletin--        For serial numbers--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8-52-54, Revision A, dated November 5,   003 through 451 inclusive, 453
 2004.                                    through 463 inclusive, 465
                                          through 489 inclusive, 491
                                          through 505 inclusive, and
                                          507.
8-52-58, dated May 12, 2004............  452, 464, 490, 506, and 508
                                          through 557 inclusive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The service bulletins describe procedures for modifying the cockpit 
door from a single-point attachment to a two-point attachment. The 
modification involves the following actions, as applicable, depending 
on the configuration of the airplane: Reworking the door fairing, 
reworking the door post, installing a new strike plate, installing a 
new hinge assembly, aligning the hinges, and installing a new label 
regarding alternate release of the door. Accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information is intended to adequately address 
the unsafe condition.
    For certain airplanes, the service bulletins specify doing the 
modifications listed in the following table prior to or concurrently 
with the procedures in the service bulletins.

                                          Prior/Concurrent Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 For airplanes affected by Bombardier   That have these serial  Do these modifications--
          Service Bulletin--                  numbers--                                     As specified in--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8-52-54, Revision A, dated November    003 through 407          Rework the cockpit door  De Havilland Aircraft
 5, 2004.                               inclusive, 409 through   emergency release.       of Canada, Limited,
                                        412 inclusive, and 414                            Modification 8/2337.
                                        through 433 inclusive.
                                                                Install a new label      De Havilland Aircraft
                                                                 regarding alternate      of Canada, Limited,
                                                                 release of the door.     Modification 8/3339.
8-52-58, dated May 12, 2004..........  452, 464, 490, 506, and  Install the cockpit      Bombardier Modsum
                                        508 through 557          door.                    8Q200015.
                                        inclusive.
                                                                Install the cockpit      Bombardier Modsum
                                                                 door.                    8Q420101.
                                                                Install the cockpit      Bombardier Modsum
                                                                 door with a blow-out     8Q420143.
                                                                 door panel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    TCCA mandated the service information and issued Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-3005-34, dated August 29, 2005, to ensure 
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.
    Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-52-54 refers to Bombardier Modsum 
8Q100859 as an additional source of service information for installing 
a hinge pin with a two-point attachment. Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-
52-58 refers to Bombardier Modsum 8Q900267 as an additional source of 
service information for reworking and installing the cockpit door, and 
reworking the lower hinge attachment to provide a downward-facing pin 
with a two-point attachment.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed 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. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, TCCA has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. We have examined TCCA's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 16 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed actions would take between 3 and 6 work hours per 
airplane, depending on the airplane configuration. The average labor 
rate is $80 per work hour. Required parts would cost about $2,000 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD 
for U.S. operators is between $35,840 and $39,680, or between $2,240 
and $2,480 per airplane.

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

[[Page 18246]]

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

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

Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2006-
24411; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-033-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by May 11, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -
201, -202, -301, -311, -314, and -315 airplanes, certificated in any 
category; serial numbers 003 through 557 inclusive; equipped with 
cockpit door installation part numbers (P/Ns) identified in Table 1 
of this AD.

        Table 1.--Cockpit Door Installations Affected by This AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    P/N                               Dash nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
82510074..................................  All.
82510294..................................  All.
82510310..................................  -001.
8Z4597....................................  -001.
H85250010.................................  All.
82510700..................................  All.
82510704..................................  All except -502 and -503.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that, during structural 
testing of the cockpit door, the lower hinge block rotated and 
caused the mating hinge pin to disengage, and caused excessive door 
deflection. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of a door 
attachment, which could result in uncontrolled release of the 
cockpit door under certain fuselage decompression conditions, and 
possible damage to the aircraft structure.

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.

Modification

    (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the cockpit door from a single-point attachment to a two-point 
attachment in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
applicable service bulletin in Table 2 of this AD.

                 Table 2.--Bombardier Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Use this Bombardier Service Bulletin--        For serial numbers--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8-52-54, Revision A, dated November 5,      003 through 451 inclusive,
 2004.                                       453 through 463 inclusive,
                                             465 through 489 inclusive,
                                             491 through 505 inclusive,
                                             and 507.
8-52-58, dated May 12, 2004...............  452, 464, 490, 506, and 508
                                             through 557 inclusive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-52-54 refers to Bombardier 
Modification Summary (Modsum) 8Q100859 as an additional source of 
service information for installing a hinge pin with a two-point 
attachment. Bombardier Service bulletin 8-52-58 refers to Bombardier 
Modsum 8Q900267 as an additional source of service information for 
reworking and installing the cockpit door, and reworking the lower 
hinge attachment to provide a downward-facing pin with a two-point 
attachment.

Prior/Concurrent Requirements

    (g) Prior to or concurrently with the modification in paragraph 
(f) of this AD, do the applicable actions specified in Table 3 of 
this AD according to a method approved by either the Manager, New 
York Aircraft Certification (ACO), FAA; or Transport Canada Civil 
Aviation (TCCA) (or its delegated agent). One approved method is the 
applicable modification or Modsum listed in the ``One approved 
method for doing these actions'' column of Table 3 of this AD.

                                     Table 3.--Bombardier Service Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 For airplanes affected by Bombardier   That have these serial                           One approved method for
          Service Bulletin--                  numbers--            Do these actions--     doing these actions--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8-52-54, Revision A, dated November    003 through 407          Rework the cockpit door  De Havilland Aircraft
 5, 2004.                               inclusive, 409 through   emergency release.       of Canada, Limited,
                                        412 inclusive, and 414                            Modification 8/2337.
                                        through 433 inclusive.
                                                                Install a new label      De Havilland Aircraft
                                                                 regarding alternate      of Canada, Limited,
                                                                 release of the door.     Modification 8/3339.
8-52-58, dated May 12, 2004..........  452, 464, 490, 506, and  Install the cockpit      Bombardier Modsum
                                        508 through 557          door.                    8Q200015.
                                        inclusive.

[[Page 18247]]

 
                                                                Install the cockpit      Bombardier Modsum
                                                                 door.                    8Q420101.
                                                                Install the cockpit      Bombardier Modsum
                                                                 door with a blow-out     8Q420143.
                                                                 door panel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Actions Done in Accordance With Previous Revision of Service Bulletin

    (h) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-52-54, dated May 12, 
2004, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
requirements in paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (j) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2005-34, dated August 
29, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 31, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-3435 Filed 4-10-06; 8:45 am]
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