[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 2, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25744-25745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4050]



[[Page 25744]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23820; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-249-AD; 
Amendment 39-14578; AD 2004-03-15 R1]
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 revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
that applies to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -
202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes. That AD currently requires 
performing a one-time inspection to detect chafing of electrical wires 
in the cable trough below the cabin floor; repairing, if necessary; 
installing additional tie-mounts and tie-wraps; applying sealant to 
rivet heads; and modifying electrical wires in certain sections. We 
issued that AD to prevent chafing of electrical wires. This new AD, for 
certain airplanes, eliminates the requirement to modify electrical 
wires in certain sections. This AD results from a report indicating 
that the modification of electrical wires does not need to be done on 
certain airplanes subject to the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent chafing of electrical wires, which could result in an 
uncommanded shutdown of an engine during flight.

DATES: The effective date of this AD is March 19, 2004.
    On March 19, 2004 (69 FR 7111, February 13, 2004), the Director of 
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-53-80, Revision ``A'', dated July 25, 
2000.
    On October 27, 1998 (63 FR 50501, September 22, 1998) the Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-53-66, dated March 27, 1998.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 
123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada, for service 
information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas G. Wagner, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 
New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7306; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 street address stated in the 
ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA proposed to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) with an airworthiness directive (AD) to 
revise AD 2004-03-15, amendment 39-13459 (69 FR 7111, February 13, 
2004). The existing AD applies to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -
103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes. The proposed AD 
was published in the Federal Register on February 8, 2006 (71 FR 6408) 
to, for certain airplanes, eliminate the requirement to modify 
electrical wires in certain sections.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Changes to NPRM

    We have corrected a typographical error in paragraph (i) of the 
NPRM by changing the date of the Canadian airworthiness directive.
    We have also revised the model designations in the NPRM to match 
the format of the model designations in AD 2004-03-15.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
change described previously. We have determined that this change will 
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This new AD adds no new costs to affected operators; in fact, it 
reduces the costs for airplanes that are not subject to the 
modification of certain wiring.
    We estimate that 173 airplanes of U.S. registry will be subject to 
the inspection, installation of additional tie-mounts and tie-wraps, 
and application of sealant to rivet heads that are currently required 
by AD 2004-03-15. These actions take between 80 and 100 work hours per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts 
are provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operator. Based on 
these figures, the estimated cost of these actions on U.S. operators is 
between $899,600 and $1,124,500, or between $5,200 and $6,500 per 
airplane.
    We estimate that 103 airplanes of U.S. registry are subject to the 
modification of certain wiring that is currently required by AD 2004-
03-15. This action takes approximately 10 work hours per airplane, at 
an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts are provided 
by the manufacturer at no cost to the operator. Based on these figures, 
the estimated cost of the modification on U.S. operators is $66,950, or 
$650 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 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.

[[Page 25745]]

    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 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, 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
removing amendment 39-13459 (69 FR 7111, February 13, 2004) and adding 
the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2004-03-15 R1 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): 
Amendment 39-14578. Docket No. FAA-2006-23820; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-NM-249-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) The effective date of this AD is March 19, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD revises AD 2004-03-15.

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 3 through 540 inclusive, excluding serial 
number 462.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report indicating that the 
modification of electrical wires does not need to be done on certain 
airplanes subject to the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent chafing of electrical wires, which could result in an 
uncommanded shutdown of an engine during flight.

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.

Requirements of AD 2004-03-15

One-time Inspection, Corrective Action, and Modification

    (f) Perform a one-time general visual inspection to detect 
chafing of electrical wires in the cable trough below the cabin 
floor; install additional tie-mounts and tie-wraps; and apply 
sealant to rivet heads (reference Bombardier Modification 8/2705); 
in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-53-66, dated 
March 27, 1998, at the time specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) 
of this AD, as applicable. If any chafing is detected during the 
inspection required by this paragraph, prior to further flight, 
repair in accordance with the service bulletin.

    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) For airplanes having serial numbers 3 through 518 inclusive, 
excluding serial number 462: Inspect within 36 months after October 
27, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-20-14, amendment 39-10781).
    (2) For airplanes having serial numbers 519 through 540 
inclusive: Inspect within 36 months after November 10, 1999 (the 
effective date of AD 99-21-09, amendment 39-11352, which superseded 
AD 98-20-14), or at the next ``C'' check, whichever occurs first.

Modification

    (g) For Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes; and Model 
DHC-8-201 and -202 series airplanes: Within 36 months after March 
19, 2004 (the effective date of AD 2004-03-15), modify the 
electrical wires in the cable trough below the cabin floor at 
Sections X510.00 to X580.50 (including performing a general visual 
inspection and any applicable repair), in accordance with Part III, 
paragraphs 1 through 9 and 12 through 20, of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-53-80, Revision ``A,'' 
dated July 25, 2000. Any applicable repair must be done before 
further flight. Accomplishment of these actions before March 19, 
2004, in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-53-80, dated 
December 22, 1999, is considered acceptable for compliance with the 
actions required by this paragraph.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(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

    (i) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-1998-08R2, dated July 
12, 2000, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-53-66, dated 
March 27, 1998; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-53-80, Revision 
``A,'' dated July 25, 2000; as applicable, to perform the actions 
that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) On March 19, 2004 (69 FR 7111, February 13, 2004), the 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-53-80, Revision ``A,'' 
dated July 25, 2000.
    (2) The incorporation by reference of Bombardier Service 
Bulletin S.B. 8-53-66, dated March 27, 1998, was approved previously 
by the Director of the Federal Register as of October 27, 1998 (63 
FR 50501, September 22, 1998).
    (3) Contact Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft 
Division, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada, 
for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at 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 April 19, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-4050 Filed 5-1-06; 8:45 am]
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