[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 17 (Friday, January 26, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3756-3759]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1201]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27016; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-176-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 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 supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) that applies to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 
series airplanes. The existing AD currently

[[Page 3757]]

requires inspecting the electrical connectors of the fire bottles for 
the forward and aft baggage compartments and for the auxiliary power 
unit (APU) and engine nacelles to determine if they are connected 
correctly; and doing related investigative and corrective actions, if 
necessary. This proposed AD would add a requirement to install/modify 
lanyards, mounts, and clamps to the forward and aft baggage 
compartment, APU, and engine nacelle fire extinguishing systems. This 
proposed AD would also require installation and removal procedures for 
certain fire bottles and fire extinguisher cartridges. This proposed AD 
also adds two airplanes to the applicability. This proposed AD results 
from reports of the electrical connectors for the fire bottles in the 
forward and aft baggage compartments, APU, and engine nacelle being 
cross-connected. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cross-
connection of the fire bottles and to prevent cross-connection, which 
could result in failure of the fire bottles to discharge and consequent 
inability to extinguish a fire in the affected areas.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 26, 
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 ``Docket No. 
FAA-2007-27016; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-176-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.

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

    On June 7, 2005, we issued AD 2005-12-17, amendment 39-14133 (70 FR 
35172, June 17, 2005), for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series 
airplanes. That AD requires inspecting the electrical connectors of the 
fire bottles for the forward and aft baggage compartments and for the 
auxiliary power unit (APU) and engine nacelles to determine if they are 
connected correctly; and doing related investigative and corrective 
actions, if necessary. That AD resulted from reports of the electrical 
connectors for the fire bottles in the forward and aft baggage 
compartments being cross-connected. We issued that AD to detect and 
correct cross-connection of the fire bottles, which could result in 
failure of the fire bottles to discharge and consequent inability to 
extinguish a fire in the affected areas.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2005-12-17, it was determined that the lengths 
of the lanyards may not be sufficiently different to prevent cross-
connection of cartridges if the tie wraps or associated clipping are 
not located as intended.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Alert Service Bulletin A84-26-06, Revision 
`A,' dated June 6, 2005 (Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-26-06, 
dated May 12, 2005, was referenced as the appropriate source of service 
information for doing the actions specified in AD 2005-12-17). Revision 
`A' contains essentially the same procedures as the original issue. 
Revision 'A' clarifies an operational check and other minor editorial 
changes.
    Bombardier has also issued Service Bulletin 84-26-07, Revision `B,' 
dated November 1, 2006. The service bulletin describes procedures to 
install/modify lanyards, mounts, and clamps to the forward and aft 
baggage compartment, APU, and engine nacelle fire extinguishing 
systems. The service bulletin includes two additional airplanes in its 
effectivity that are not in Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A84-26-
06.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. Transport Canada 
Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness authority for Canada, 
mandated the service information and issued Canadian airworthiness 
directive CF-2005-14R1, dated May 8, 2006, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.
    Bombardier has also issued the temporary revisions (TRs) specified 
in the table below to the Bombardier Dash 8 Series 400 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual (AMM), Program Support Manual (PSM) 1-84-2. The TRs 
specify installation and removal procedures for certain fire bottles 
and fire extinguisher cartridges.

                          Table--Bombardier TRs
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              TR                        Date              PSM chapter
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26-017........................  May 10, 2005........  26-21-01.
26-018........................  May 10, 2005........  26-21-01.
26-019........................  May 10, 2005........  26-22-02.
26-020........................  May 10, 2005........  26-22-03.
26-021........................  May 10, 2005........  26-22-11.

[[Page 3758]]

 
26-022........................  May 10, 2005........  26-22-11.
26-023........................  May 11, 2005........  26-23-01.
26-024........................  May 11, 2005........  26-22-16.
26-025........................  May 11, 2005........  26-22-16.
26-026........................  May 11, 2005........  26-21-06.
26-027........................  May 11, 2005........  26-21-06.
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    The TRs have been incorporated into Bombardier Dash 8 Series 400 
AMM, PSM 1-84-2, Revision 21, dated December 5, 2005. Bombardier has 
also issued Revision 22 of the Dash 8 Series 400 AMM, PSM 1-84-2, dated 
June 5, 2006. Revision 22 contains the same procedures as those 
specified in the TRs and incorporated into Revision 21.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed 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, TCCA has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. We have examined TCCA's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that AD action is 
necessary for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    This proposed AD would supersede AD 2005-12-17 and would retain the 
requirements of the existing AD. This proposed AD would also require 
installing/modifying lanyards, mounts, and clamps to the forward and 
aft baggage compartment, APU, and engine nacelle fire extinguishing 
systems. This proposed AD would also require installation and removal 
procedures for certain fire bottles and fire extinguisher cartridges. 
This proposed AD would also add two airplanes to the applicability.

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
                                                       Average                                 Cost per      U.S.-
                Action                   Work hours   labor rate            Parts              airplane    registered              Fleet cost
                                                       per hour                                            airplanes
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Inspection (required by AD 2005-12-17)            2          $80  $0.......................         $160           19  $3,040.
Modification (new proposed action)....            4           80  Up to $200...............          520           21  Up to $10,920.
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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 
removing amendment 39-14133 (70 FR 35172, June 17, 2005) and adding the 
following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2007-
27016; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-176-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by February 
26, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-12-17.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; serial numbers (S/Ns) 4001 
through 4107 inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of the electrical connectors 
for the fire bottles in the forward and aft baggage compartments, 
auxiliary power unit (APU), and engine nacelle being cross-
connected. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cross-
connection of the fire bottles and to prevent cross-connection, 
which could result in failure of the fire bottles to discharge and 
consequent inability to extinguish a fire in the affected areas.

[[Page 3759]]

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.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2005-12-17

Inspection and Corrective Action

    (f) For airplanes having S/Ns 4001 through 4105 inclusive: 
Within 14 days after July 5, 2005 (the effective date of AD 2005-12-
17), inspect the electrical connectors of the fire bottles for the 
forward and aft baggage compartments and for the APU and engine 
nacelles to determine if they are connected correctly; and, before 
further flight, do the related investigative and corrective actions, 
as applicable; by doing all of the applicable actions specified in 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 
A84-26-06, dated May 12, 2005; or Revision `A,' dated June 6, 2005. 
Although the service bulletins specify to submit certain information 
to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

New Requirements of This AD

Installation/Modification

    (g) For all airplanes: Within 5,000 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, install/modify lanyards, mounts, and 
clamps to the forward and aft baggage compartment, APU, and engine 
nacelle fire extinguishing systems by doing all the actions 
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 84-26-07, Revision `B,' dated November 1, 2006.

Installation and Removal of Bottles and Cartridges

    (h) For airplanes having S/Ns 4001 through 4105 inclusive: As of 
the effective date of this AD, whenever any of the actions specified 
in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), (h)(3), (h)(4), (h)(5), (h)(6), and 
(h)(7) of this AD are done, those actions must be done in accordance 
with a method approved by either the Manager, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation 
(or its delegated agent). Bombardier Dash 8 Series 400 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual, Product Support Manual (PSM) 1-84-2, Revision 
22, dated June 5, 2006, is one approved method.
    (1) Installation and removal of nacelle fire bottles.
    (2) Installation of aft high-rate fire bottles.
    (3) Installation of forward high-rate fire bottles.
    (4) Installation and removal of low-rate fire bottles.
    (5) Installation of APU fire bottles.
    (6) Installation and removal of low-rate fire extinguisher 
cartridges.
    (7) Installation and removal of nacelle fire extinguisher 
cartridges.

Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service 
Bulletin

    (i) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-26-07, dated June 15, 
2005; and Revision `A,' dated February 21, 2006; are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, provided the intended restriction of the 
connectors was done as specified in Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-
26-07, Revision `B,' dated November 1, 2006.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) The Manager, New York 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 Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (k) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2005-14R1, dated May 8, 
2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 17, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-1201 Filed 1-25-07; 8:45 am]
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