[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 23, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49337-49339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13831]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25657; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-187-AD; 
Amendment 39-14735; AD 2006-17-14]
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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet 
Series 100 & 440) airplanes. The existing AD currently 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 new AD revises the effective date of the existing 
AD. 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 7, 2006.
    On August 9, 2006 (71 FR 45364, August 9, 2006), the Director of 
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-24-122, Revision A, dated July 13, 
2006.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by October 23, 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.
    You may examine the contents of 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., Room PL-
401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This 
docket number is FAA-2006-25657; the directorate identifier for this 
docket is 2006-NM-187-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

    On July 31, 2006, the FAA issued AD 2006-16-07, amendment 39-14707 
(71 FR 45364, August 9, 2006). That AD applies to certain Bombardier 
Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. That 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. That AD resulted from incidents of short circuit 
failures of certain alternating current (AC) contactors located in the 
avionics bay. The actions specified in that AD are intended to prevent 
short circuit failures of certain AC contactors, which could result in 
arcing and consequent smoke or fire.

Actions Since AD Was Issued

    Since we issued that AD, we have determined that the effective date 
of that AD was inadvertently specified as the same date as the 
publication date. The effective date of the AD should be 15 days after 
the date of publication in the Federal Register

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. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, Transport Canada Civil Aviation 
(TCCA), which is the airworthiness

[[Page 49338]]

authority for Canada, 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 supersede AD 2006-16-07. This 
new AD retains the requirements of the existing AD. This AD also 
revises the effective date of the existing AD.

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.

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-
25657; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-187-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 can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you can 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.

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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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 39-14707 (71 FR 45364, August 9, 2006) and adding 
the following new AD:

2006-17-14 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Docket No. FAA-
2006-25657; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-187-AD; Amendment 39-
14735.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective September 7, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2006-16-07.

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,

[[Page 49339]]

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.
    (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2006-16-07, 
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.

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. On August 9, 
2006 (71 FR 45364, August 9, 2006), the Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document. 
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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 14, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-13831 Filed 8-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P