[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 175 (Monday, September 11, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53345-53347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14941]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25779; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-088-AD]
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: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the Certification 
Maintenance Requirements and the Maintenance Review Board Report 
sections of the Canadair Regional Jet Maintenance Requirements Manual 
to include changes and additions to checks of the aileron power control 
units (PCUs) and a change to the interval of the backlash check of the 
aileron control system. This proposed AD results from a report that 
data collected from in-service airplanes show that approximately 19 
percent of aileron backlash checks conducted at 4,000-flight-hour 
intervals reveal that aileron backlash wear limits are being exceeded. 
We are proposing this AD to prevent exceeded backlashes in both aileron 
PCUs, which, if accompanied by the failure of the flutter damper, could 
result in aileron vibration/flutter and reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 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., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, 
Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada, for service 
information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Parrillo, 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) 228-7305; 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-
25779; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-088-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.

[[Page 53346]]

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 
all Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 
airplanes. TCCA advises that data collected from in-service airplanes 
show that approximately 19 percent of aileron backlash checks conducted 
at 4,000-flight-hour intervals reveal that aileron backlash wear limits 
are being exceeded. Exceeding the backlash in both aileron power 
control units (PCUs), if accompanied by the failure of the flutter 
damper, could result in aileron vibration/flutter and reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Canadair Regional Jet Temporary Revision 2A-
20, dated March 13, 2006, to Part 2, Appendix A--Certification 
Maintenance Requirements, of the Canadair Regional Jet Maintenance 
Requirements Manual (MRM), CSP A-053. The temporary revision adds Task 
C27-10-105-06, a functional check of each aileron PCU for internal 
leakage at intervals not to exceed 5,000 flight hours, and revises Task 
C27-10-105-05 to remove the check of the aileron PCU from the 
functional check of each rudder and elevator PCU for backlash and 
deflection under load at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight hours.
    Bombardier has also issued Canadair Regional Jet Temporary Revision 
1-2-33, dated October 27, 2005, to Part 1, Section 2--Systems/
Powerplant Program, of the Canadair Regional Jet MRM, CSP A-053. The 
temporary revision revises Task 27-11-00-09 to perform the functional 
check (backlash) of the aileron control system at intervals not to 
exceed 2,000 flight hours.
    Bombardier also issued Revision 10, dated May 27, 2005, of the 
Canadair Regional Jet Maintenance Review Board (MRB) Report for Section 
2--Systems and Powerplant Program, of Part 1 of the Canadair Regional 
Jet MRM, CSP A-053. Revision 10 incorporates Task 27-11-00-09 as 
revised by Canadair Regional Jet Temporary Revision 1-2-33, into the 
MRB report.
    TCCA mandated the service information and issued Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-2006-04, dated March 22, 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.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 742 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed actions would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $59,360, or $80 
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 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 Canadair): Docket No. FAA-2006-25779; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-088-AD.

Comments Due Date

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

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 
(Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, certificated in any 
category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that data collected from in-
service airplanes show that

[[Page 53347]]

approximately 19 percent of aileron backlash checks conducted at 
4,000-flight-hour intervals reveal that aileron backlash wear limits 
are being exceeded. We are issuing this AD to prevent exceeded 
backlashes in both aileron power control units (PCUs), which, if 
accompanied by the failure of the flutter damper, could result in 
aileron vibration/flutter and reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

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.

Revision of the Maintenance Requirements Manual (MRM)

    (f) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Canadair Regional Jet MRM CSP A-053 by doing the actions 
specified in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD. When the tasks 
specified in Canadair Regional Jet Temporary Revisions 2A-20, dated 
March 13, 2006; and 1-2-33, dated October 27, 2005; are included in 
the general revisions of the MRM, the general revisions may be 
inserted in the MRM, and these temporary revisions may be removed.
    (1) Revise the Certification Maintenance Requirements section of 
the Canadair Regional Jet MRM to include Tasks C27-10-105-06 and 
C27-10-105-05, as specified in Canadair Regional Jet Temporary 
Revision 2A-20, dated March 13, 2006, to Part 2, Appendix A--
Certification Maintenance Requirements, of the Canadair Regional Jet 
MRM CSP A-053.
    (2) Revise the Maintenance Review Board Report for Section 2--
Systems and Powerplant Program, of Part 1 of the Canadair Regional 
Jet MRM CSP A-053, to include the task interval for Task 27-11-00-
09, as specified in Canadair Regional Jet Temporary Revision 1-2-33, 
dated October 27, 2005. Incorporating Revision 10, dated May 27, 
2005, of the Canadair Regional Jet Maintenance Review Board Report 
for Section 2--Systems and Powerplant Program of the Canadair 
Regional Jet MRM CSP A-053 is one approved method for including the 
task interval specified in Canadair Regional Jet Temporary Revision 
1-2-33. After the task interval has been incorporated into the MRM, 
no alternative aileron backlash check interval in excess of 2,000 
flight hours may be approved, except as specified in paragraphs (g) 
and (h) of this AD.

Phase-In Schedule for Initial Inspection Specified in MRM Revisions

    (g) For airplanes with more than 1,000 flight hours but less 
than 3,000 flight hours since the last aileron backlash check 
specified in Task 27-11-00-09 was accomplished, as of the effective 
date of this AD: Within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date 
of this AD, do the next aileron backlash check in accordance with 
Task 27-11-00-09, as specified in Canadair Regional Jet Temporary 
Revision 1-2-33, dated October 27, 2005.
    (h) For airplanes with 3,000 flight hours or more since the last 
aileron backlash check specified in Task 27-11-00-09 was 
accomplished, as of the effective date of this AD: Within 4,000 
flight hours since the last aileron backlash check, do the next 
aileron backlash check in accordance with Task 27-11-00-09, as 
specified in Canadair Regional Jet Temporary Revision 1-2-33, dated 
October 27, 2005.

One Approved Method for Task C27-10-105-06

    (i) For airplanes without access to ground support equipment 
necessary to do the PCU internal leakage functional check as 
specified in Task C27-10-105-06 as specified in paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD: Doing the aileron PCU internal leakage check in accordance 
with Task 27-11-00-220-803 of Chapter 27-11-00 of the Canadair 
Regional Jet Aircraft Maintenance Manual at intervals not to exceed 
4,000 flight hours is one approved method for accomplishing Task 
C27-10-105-06 and is acceptable for up to 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD. Thereafter, the check must be done in 
accordance with Task C27-10-105-06 as specified in paragraph (f)(1) 
of this AD at a repetitive interval not to exceed that specified in 
the task.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(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

    (k) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2006-04, dated March 22, 
2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 1, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-14941 Filed 9-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P