[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 9, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45364-45367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12829]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25536; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-158-AD; 
Amendment 39-14707; AD 2006-16-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional 
Jet Series 100 & 440) Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 
airplanes. This AD requires inspecting contactors 1K4XD, 2K4XD, and 
K4XA to determine the type of terminal base plate, and applying sealant 
on the terminal base plates, if necessary. This AD results from 
incidents of short circuit failures of certain alternating current (AC) 
contactors located in the avionics bay. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent short circuit failures of certain AC contactors, which could 
result in arcing and consequent smoke or fire.

[[Page 45365]]


DATES: This AD becomes effective August 9, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of August 9, 
2006.
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 10, 2006.

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.
    Contact Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, 
Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada, for service 
information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 
airplanes. TCCA advises that there have been eight incidents of short 
circuit failures of Tyco Hartman alternating current (AC) contactors 
1K4XD and K4XA, located in the avionics bay on Model CL-600-2B19 
(Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. All of the failed AC 
contactors had a terminal base plate made from Ultem 2200 material. In 
several cases, arcing, which initiated due to the presence of 
contaminants between the power studs, resulted in a fire, which 
continued until power to the AC contactor was interrupted, either by 
the wire being burned through or by the generator falling off-line. 
Short circuit failures of AC contactors, if not prevented, could result 
in arcing, which could result in smoke or fire.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 601R-24-122, Revision A, 
dated July 13, 2006. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
inspecting contactors 1K4XD, 2K4XD, and K4XA to determine which 
contactors have an Ultem 2200 terminal base plate (the plate is made 
from a black molded thermal plastic material), and applying RTV 732 
sealant or RTV 3145 sealant, if necessary. TCCA mandated the service 
bulletin and issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2006-17, dated 
July 11, 2006, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes 
in Canada.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of this AD

    This airplane model is manufactured in Canada and is 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. As described in 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 products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are issuing this AD to prevent short circuit failures 
of certain AC contactors, which could result in arcing and consequent 
smoke or fire. This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in 
the service information described previously, except as discussed under 
``Difference Among the AD, Service Bulletin, and Canadian Airworthiness 
Directive.''

Difference Among the AD, Service Bulletin, and Canadian Airworthiness 
Directive

    The service bulletin specifies to determine if the terminal base 
plate is made of a black molded thermal plastic material. The Canadian 
airworthiness directive specifies doing a visual inspection of the 
contactors to determine which contactors have an Ultem 2200 terminal 
base plate. However, operators should note that we have determined that 
the inspection should be described as a ``general visual inspection'' 
to determine which contactors have an Ultem 2200 terminal base plate 
(i.e., a plate made from a black molded thermal plastic material). Note 
1 has been included in this AD to define this type of inspection.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. If final action is later 
identified, we may consider further rulemaking then.

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. The compliance time for doing 
the required actions is within 800 flight hours or four months. Based 
on the large number of affected U.S. registered airplanes (739) and the 
amount of time required to accomplish the required actions, including 
corrective actions (27 hours), we consider that this compliance time is 
necessary to avoid unnecessarily disrupting flight schedules.

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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-
25536; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-158-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    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 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

[[Page 45366]]

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.

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 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 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 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-16-07 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Amendment 39-14707. 
Docket No. FAA-2006-25536; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-158-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective August 9, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional 
Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, certificated in any category, 
serial numbers 7003 through 7990 inclusive and 8000 and subsequent.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from incidents of short circuit failures of 
certain alternating current (AC) contactors located in the avionics 
bay. We are issuing this AD to prevent short circuit failures of 
certain AC contactors, which could result in arcing and consequent 
smoke or fire.

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 and Corrective Action

    (f) Within 800 flight hours or four months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a general visual 
inspection of AC service bus contactors 1K4XD and 2K4XD, part number 
(P/N) D-18ZZA, and the utility bus contactor K4XA, P/N D-7GRZ, to 
determine which contactors have an Ultem 2200 terminal base plate 
(i.e., the plate is made from a black molded thermal plastic 
material), and apply RTV sealant to the terminal base plate, as 
applicable, by doing all the actions specified in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-24-122, Revision A, 
dated July 13, 2006. Do all applicable applications of sealant 
before further flight.


    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.''


Previous Actions Accomplished According to Other Service Information

    (g) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Bombardier Drawing Number K601R50180, dated June 2, 
2006; or Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-24-122, dated June 27, 
2006; are considered acceptable for compliance with the actions 
specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
AC contactor 1K4XD, 2K4XD, or K4XA, having an Ultem 2200 terminal 
base plate, on any airplane, unless RTV sealant has been applied to 
the terminal base plate in accordance with Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 601R-24-122, Revision A, dated July 13, 2006.

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-2006-17, dated July 11, 
2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-24-122, 
Revision A, dated July 13, 2006, to perform the actions that are 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Contact Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, 
Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, 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.


[[Page 45367]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 31, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-12829 Filed 8-8-06; 8:45 am]
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