[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 12, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39244-39247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10912]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25328; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-130-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 Series 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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[[Page 39245]]

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed 
AD would require inspecting for fouling and chafing damage of the 
outboard brake control cable of the main landing gear, replacing the 
control cable if necessary, reworking the control cable cover, and, if 
applicable, manufacturing/installing an offset plate on the control 
cable cover. This proposed AD is prompted by a review of brake control 
cable operation conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD 
to prevent abrasion and wear of the outboard brake control cable, which 
could lead to cable separation and reduced control of airplane braking.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 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: 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: 

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-
25328; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-130-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 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-8-400 series airplanes. TCCA advises that 
a review conducted by the manufacturer revealed that the outboard brake 
control cable can become fouled on two fasteners on the pilot's 
bulkhead cover assembly. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in abrasion and wear of the outboard brake control cable, which could 
lead to cable separation and reduced control of airplane braking.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 84-53-37, Revision `C,' 
dated December 5, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
inspecting for fouling and chafing damage of the main landing gear 
outboard brake control cable, replacing the control cable if necessary, 
reworking the control cable cover, and, if not already installed, 
manufacturing/installing an offset plate on the control cable cover. 
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. TCCA mandated the 
service information and issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-
2006-05, dated March 31, 2006, to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in Canada.

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, except as discussed under ``Clarification of 
Inspection Terminology.''

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    The service bulletin specifies a ``visual inspection;'' however, 
this proposed AD would require a ``general visual inspection.'' We have 
included the definition of a general visual inspection in a note in the 
proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this proposed AD, at an average labor rate of $80 per 
work hour.

[[Page 39246]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                      Work                Cost per     Number of U.S.-
              Action                 hours      Parts     airplane   registered airplanes        Fleet cost
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Inspect brake cable..............          1        N/A        $80  17...................  $1,360.
Rework cable cover...............          3        N/A        240  17...................  4,080.
Manufacture/ install offset                3        200        440  Up to 17.............  Up to $7,480.
 plate, as applicable.
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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 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-
25328; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-130-AD.

Comments Due Date

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

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; having serial numbers 4003, 
4004, 4006, 4008 through 4064 inclusive, 4072, and 4073.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a review of brake control cable 
operation conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent abrasion and wear of the outboard brake control cable, which 
could lead to cable separation and reduced control of airplane 
braking.

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.

Inspection of Control Cable

    (f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a general visual inspection for fouling and chafing damage 
of the outboard brake control cable of the main landing gear, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-53-37, Revision ``C,'' dated December 5, 2005.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``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 
ensure visual access to all 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.''

Control Cable Cover Rework Only

    (g) If no fouling or damage is found during the inspection 
required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Within 24 months after the 
accomplishment date of the inspection, rework the control cable 
cover and, as applicable, manufacture/install the offset plate 
assembly; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-53-37, Revision ``C,'' dated December 
5, 2005.

Cable Replacement and Control Cable Cover Rework

    (h) If any fouling or damage is found during the inspection 
required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Before further flight, replace 
the control cable with a new control cable, rework the control cable 
cover and, if not already installed, manufacture/install the offset 
plate assembly; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-53-37, Revision ``C,'' dated 
December 5, 2005.

Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (i) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-53-37, Revision 
``A,'' dated October 17, 2005; or Revision ``B,'' dated November 24, 
2005; are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions specified in this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) 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.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to

[[Page 39247]]

which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector 
in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (k) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2006-05, dated March 31, 
2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 3, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-10912 Filed 7-11-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P