[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 80 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20777-20780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-7979]


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

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: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of 
comment period.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that applies to 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. The original NPRM would 
have required 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. The original NPRM resulted from reports of uncommanded 
partial retractions of the NLG. This action revises the original NPRM 
by adding airplanes to the applicability.

[[Page 20778]]

We are proposing this supplemental NPRM 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 supplemental NPRM by May 21, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this supplemental NPRM.
     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 supplemental NPRM. Send your comments to an 
address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number 
``Docket No. 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 this 
supplemental NPRM. We will consider all comments received by the 
closing date and may amend this supplemental NPRM in light of those 
comments.
    We will post all comments submitted, 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 supplemental NPRM. 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 in the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the 
AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System receives them.

Discussion

    We proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) for an airworthiness directive (AD) (the ``original 
NPRM''). The original NPRM applies to 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. The original NPRM 
was published in the Federal Register on November 20, 2006 (71 FR 
67079). The original NPRM proposed to 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.

Actions Since Original NPRM Was Issued

    Since the original NPRM was issued, Bombardier has determined that 
additional airplanes are subject to the unsafe condition.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 604-32-021, Revision 02, 
dated February 20, 2007 (for Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) airplanes). The 
service bulletin adds airplanes to the effectivity; however, Revision 
02 is technically identical to Revision 01, dated February 20, 2006. We 
referred to Revision 01 as the appropriate source of service 
information for doing the actions specified in the original NPRM. 
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Proposed Requirements of the Supplemental NPRM

    Certain changes discussed above expand the scope of the original 
NPRM; therefore, we have determined that it is necessary to reopen the 
comment period to provide additional opportunity for public comment on 
this supplemental NPRM.

Difference Between Supplemental NPRM and Canadian Airworthiness 
Directive

    Although Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2006-16, dated July 6, 
2006, applies to certain airplanes as identified in Service Bulletin 
604-32-021, Revision 01, this supplemental NPRM would apply to those 
airplanes and certain additional airplanes, as identified in Service 
Bulletin 604-32-021, Revision 02. This difference has been coordinated 
with TCCA.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 502 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 $40,160, 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, 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

[[Page 20779]]

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 supplemental NPRM 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 May 21, 
2007.

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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Revision
                 Service Bulletin                      level                           Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
600-0721 (for Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600)                     01  February 20, 2006.
 airplanes).
601-0558 (for Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601)                     01  February 20, 2006.
 airplanes, and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and CL-601-
 3R) airplanes).
604-32-021 (for Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604)                   02  February 20, 2007.
 airplanes).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (g) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD 
according to Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-32-021, Revision 01, 
dated February 20, 2006 (for Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) airplanes), 
are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
actions specified in 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 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.


[[Page 20780]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 19, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-7979 Filed 4-25-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P