[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 223 (Monday, November 20, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67079-67082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19539]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26353; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-189-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), 
CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) 
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 certain Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) airplanes, CL-600-
2A12 (CL-601) airplanes, and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-
604) airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting to identify 
the part number and serial number of the selector valves of the nose 
landing gear (NLG) and the nose gear door; and doing related 
investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD 
results from reports of uncommanded partial retractions of the NLG. We 
are proposing this AD to prevent internal leakage of the selector 
valve, which, under certain conditions, could result in an uncommanded 
retraction of the NLG with consequent damage to the airplane and 
possible serious injury to ground personnel.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 20, 
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-
26353; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-189-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

[[Page 67080]]

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 CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), 
and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) airplanes. TCCA 
reports several cases of uncommanded retraction of the nose landing 
gear (NLG) of Model CL-600-2B19 airplanes caused by discrepant selector 
valves; the same selector valves may be installed on the airplanes 
identified in this proposed AD. (Further rulemaking will address the 
unsafe condition in Model CL-600-2B19 airplanes.) Investigation 
revealed that the end caps of certain NLG and nose gear door selector 
valves may have been incorrectly lock-wired or improperly torqued 
during manufacture. This could allow the valve end cap to back off and 
damage the valve seal, resulting in internal leakage of the valve. Such 
internal leakage, under certain conditions, could result in an 
uncommanded retraction of the NLG with consequent damage to the 
airplane and possible serious injury to ground personnel. Certain 
conditions involve the transfer or removal of electrical power from the 
airplane on the ground before the NLG safety pin is installed, when any 
pressure, including residual pressure, is present in the No. 3 
hydraulic system.
    Operators should be aware that selector valves having Bombardier P/
N 601R75146-1, which are the subject of this proposed AD, may be 
supplied by different manufacturers and have different manufacturer 
part numbers. Only selector valves manufactured by Tactair Fluid 
Controls, having P/N 750006000, would be affected by this proposed AD.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued the service bulletins identified in the 
following table.

                      Bombardier Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Revision
        Service Bulletin           level                Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
600-0721 (for Model CL-600-1A11         01  February 20, 2006.
 (CL-600) airplanes).
601-0558 (for Model CL-600-2A12         01  February 20, 2006.
 (CL-601), CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-
 3A and CL-601-3R) airplanes).
604-32-021 (for Model CL-600-           01  February 20, 2006.
 2B16 (CL-604) airplanes).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The service bulletins describe procedures for inspecting for 
certain S/Ns of the selector valves of the NLG and the nose gear door, 
and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. 
Related investigative actions include checking for proper installation 
of the lock wire of the end cap and verifying the torqued value of the 
end cap. Corrective actions include ensuring that any selector valve 
that has a properly installed lock wire and properly torqued end cap is 
marked with a new manufacturer part number and replacing any discrepant 
selector valve with a new or serviceable selector valve marked with the 
correct part number. 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-2006-16, dated July 6, 2006, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.
    The Bombardier service bulletins refer to Tactair Fluid Controls 
Service Bulletin SB750006000-1, Revision A, dated September 6, 2005, as 
an additional source of service information for doing the related 
investigative and corrective actions previously described.

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.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    The service bulletins specify checking for proper installation of 
the lock wire; however, we have determined that this check should be a 
``general visual'' inspection. We have included a definition of this 
type of inspection in Note 2 of this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 492 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The inspection to determine the manufacturer P/N and S/N of the 
selector valve(s) 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 $39,360, or $80 
per airplane.
    The general visual inspection of the selector valve(s), if 
accomplished, 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 $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,

[[Page 67081]]

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-2006-26353; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-189-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by December 
20, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) 
airplanes, CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) airplanes, and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-
3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) airplanes; certificated in any category; 
having serial numbers (S/Ns) as identified in the service bulletins 
specified in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable.

                                     Table 1.--Bombardier Service Bulletins
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                                                            Revision
                    Service Bulletin                         level                        Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
600-0721 (for Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) airplanes).....           01  February 20, 2006.
601-0558 (for Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) airplanes, and            01  February 20, 2006.
 CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and CL-601-3R) airplanes).
604-32-021 (for Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) airplanes)...           01  February 20, 2006.
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Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of uncommanded partial 
retractions of the nose landing gear (NLG). We are issuing this AD 
to prevent internal leakage of the selector valve, which, under 
certain conditions, could result in an uncommanded retraction of the 
NLG with consequent damage to the airplane and possible serious 
injury to ground personnel.

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 Actions

    (f) Within 500 flight hours or 12 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect to determine the 
manufacturer part number (P/N) and S/N of the selector valves of the 
NLG and nose gear door. A review of airplane maintenance records is 
acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the S/Ns of the selector 
valves can be conclusively determined from that review. For any 
subject selector valve having Tactair Fluid Controls P/N 750006000 
and a S/N from 0001 through 0767 inclusive, before further flight, 
do related investigative (including a general visual inspection for 
proper installation of the lock wire of the end cap) and corrective 
actions; in accordance with the applicable service bulletins 
identified in Table 1 of this AD.

    Note 1: Operators should be aware that selector valves having 
Bombardier P/N 601R75146-1 may be supplied by different 
manufacturers and have different manufacturer part numbers. Only 
airplanes having selector valves manufactured by Tactair Fluid 
Controls, having P/N 750006000, are subject to the investigative and 
corrective actions specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.


    Note 2: 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.''


    Note 3: The service bulletins identified in Table 1 of this AD 
refer to Tactair Fluid Controls Service Bulletin SB750006000-1, 
Revision A, dated September 6, 2005, as an additional source of 
service information for doing the related investigative and 
corrective actions required by this AD.

Parts Installation

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane a subject selector valve having a S/N from 0001 
through 0767 inclusive, unless that selector valve meets the 
requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(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 which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA

[[Page 67082]]

Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (i) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2006-16, dated July 6, 
2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 8, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-19539 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P