[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 4 (Monday, January 8, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 662-664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22534]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26725; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-161-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -
106 Airplanes and Model DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 Series 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 DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes and 
Model DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would 
require modifying the main landing gear (MLG) and nose landing gear 
(NLG) handle assemblies for alternate release and the MLG retaining 
plate. This proposed AD would also require doing a related 
investigative action and corrective action if necessary. This proposed 
AD results from reports of broken or damaged MLG and NLG alternate 
release cables caused by rubbing and fraying at the cable-to-handle 
interface. We are proposing this AD to prevent breakage of the MLG and 
NLG alternate release cables, which, if the normal gear extension 
fails, could result in the inability to extend the MLG or NLG and 
consequent collapse of the landing gear during ground maneuvers or upon 
landing.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 7, 
2007.

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-
26725; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-161-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 663]]

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-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes and Model 
DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 series airplanes. TCCA has received reports of 
broken or damaged main landing gear (MLG) and nose landing gear (NLG) 
alternate release cables caused by rubbing and fraying at the cable-to-
handle interface. If the normal gear extension fails, the failure of 
the alternate release system, if not corrected, could result in the 
inability to extend the MLG or NLG and consequent collapse of the 
landing gear during ground maneuvers or upon landing.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 8-32-146, Revision `D,' 
dated February 7, 2003. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
modifying the MLG and NLG handle assemblies and the MLG retaining 
plate, doing a related investigative action, and doing corrective 
action if necessary. The modification involves machining the sharp 
edges of the MLG and NLG handle assemblies and the MLG retaining plate. 
The related investigative action is inspecting the cable for damage. 
The corrective action is replacing any damaged cable with a new or 
serviceable cable. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
bulletin is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. TCCA 
mandated the service bulletin and issued Canadian airworthiness 
directive CF-2006-09, issued May 8, 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

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                                        Number of U.S.-
                               Action                                   Work hours     Average labor       Cost per        registered       Fleet cost
                                                                                       rate per hour       airplane        airplanes
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Modification.......................................................               5              $80             $400              164          $65,600
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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-
26725; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-161-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by February 
7, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

[[Page 664]]

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, DHC-8-103, 
and DHC-8-106 airplanes and Model DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 series 
airplanes; certificated in any category; serial numbers 003 through 
579 inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of broken or damaged main 
landing gear (MLG) and nose landing gear (NLG) alternate release 
cables caused by rubbing and fraying at the cable-to-handle 
interface. We are issuing this AD to prevent breakage of the MLG and 
NLG alternate release cables, which, if the normal gear extension 
fails, could result in the inability to extend the MLG or NLG and 
consequent collapse of the landing gear during ground maneuvers or 
upon landing.

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.

Modification

    (f) Within 3,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, modify the MLG and NLG handle assemblies for alternate release 
and the MLG retaining plate, do the related investigative action, 
and the corrective action if applicable, by accomplishing all the 
applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-32-146, Revision `D,' dated February 
7, 2003. Do the corrective action, if applicable, before further 
flight.

Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (g) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-32-146, dated 
September 10, 1999; Revision `A,' dated January 17, 2001; Revision 
`B,' dated June 25, 2001; or Revision `C,' dated January 24, 2003; 
are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
action specified in this AD.

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
any part specified in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3) of this 
AD, on any airplane.
    (1) MLG handle assembly, part number (P/N) 83260042.
    (2) NLG handle assembly, P/N 83260020.
    (3) MLG retaining plate, P/N 83260043.

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-2006-09, issued May 8, 
2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 21, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-22534 Filed 1-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P