[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13098-13100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4494]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0414; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-340-AD; 
Amendment 39-15413; AD 2008-06-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional 
Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 
705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    Bombardier Aerospace has completed a system safety review of the 
aircraft fuel system against fuel tank safety standards * * *.
    [A]ssessment showed that supplemental maintenance tasks [for the 
fuel tank wiring harness installation, and the hydraulic system No. 
3 temperature transducer, among other items] are required to prevent 
potential ignition sources inside the fuel system, which could 
result in a fuel tank explosion. * * *

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 16, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 16, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rocco Viselli, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New 
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7331; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2008 (73 
FR 830). (A correction of the rule was published in the Federal 
Register on January 31, 2008 (73 FR 5767).) That NPRM proposed to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    Bombardier Aerospace has completed a system safety review of the 
aircraft fuel system against fuel tank standards introduced in 
Chapter 525 of the Airworthiness Manual through Notice of Proposed 
Amendment (NPA) 2002-043. The identified non-compliances were then 
assessed using Transport Canada Policy Letter No. 525-001, to 
determine if mandatory corrective action is required.
    The assessment showed that supplemental maintenance tasks [for 
the fuel tank wiring harness installation, and the hydraulic system 
No. 3 temperature transducer, among other items] are required to 
prevent potential ignition sources inside the fuel system, which 
could result in a fuel tank explosion. Revision has been made to 
Canadair Regional Jet Models CL-600-2C10, CL-600-2D15 and CL-600-
2D24 Maintenance Requirements Manual, CSP B-053, Part 2, Section 3 
``Fuel System Limitations'' to introduce the required maintenance 
tasks.

The corrective action is revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section 
of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new 
limitations for fuel tank systems. You may obtain further information 
by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Changes Made to This AD

    For standardization purposes, we have revised this AD in the 
following ways:
     We revised paragraph (f)(1) of this AD to add a reference 
to ``Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) (or its delegated agent)'' 
for approval of a particular document. We also revised paragraph (f)(2) 
of this AD to specify that no alternative inspections or inspection 
intervals may be used unless they are part of a later approved revision 
of Section 3, ``Fuel System Limitations,'' of Part 2 of Bombardier CL-
600-2C10, CL-600-2D15, and CL-600-2D24 Maintenance Requirements Manual 
CSP

[[Page 13099]]

B-053, Revision 9, dated July 20, 2007, or unless they are approved as 
an alternative method of compliance (AMOC). Inclusion of this paragraph 
in the AD is intended to ensure that the AD-mandated airworthiness 
limitations changes are treated the same as the airworthiness 
limitations issued with the original type certificate.
     In addition, we have simplified the language in Note 1 of 
this AD to clarify that an operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) if an operator cannot 
accomplish the required inspections because an airplane has been 
previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by the 
required inspections.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described 
previously. We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences 
are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 289 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $23,120, or $80 per 
product.

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 determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2008-06-01 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Amendment 39-15413. 
Docket No. FAA-2007-0414; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-340-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 
16, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Bombardier Model CL-600-2C10 
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional 
Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) 
airplanes, certificated in any category, all serial numbers.

    Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with 
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes 
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the 
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must 
request approval for an alternative method of compliance according 
to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. The request should include a 
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure 
the continued operational safety of the airplane.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    Bombardier Aerospace has completed a system safety review of the 
aircraft fuel system against fuel tank standards introduced in 
Chapter 525 of the Airworthiness Manual through Notice of Proposed 
Amendment (NPA) 2002-043. The identified non-compliances were then 
assessed using Transport Canada Policy Letter No. 525-001, to 
determine if mandatory corrective action is required.
    The assessment showed that supplemental maintenance tasks [for 
the fuel tank wiring harness installation, and the hydraulic system 
No. 3 temperature transducer, among other items] are required to 
prevent potential ignition sources inside the fuel system, which 
could result in a fuel tank explosion. Revision has been made to 
Canadair Regional Jet Models CL-600-2C10, CL-600-2D15 and CL-600-
2D24 Maintenance Requirements Manual, CSP B-053, Part 2, Section 3 
``Fuel

[[Page 13100]]

System Limitations'' to introduce the required maintenance tasks.

The corrective action is revising the Airworthiness Limitations 
Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to 
incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, or on or 
before December 16, 2008, whichever occurs first, revise the ALS of 
the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate the 
inspection requirements Section 3, ``Fuel System Limitations,'' of 
Part 2 of Bombardier CL-600-2C10, CL-600-2D15, and CL-600-2D24 
Maintenance Requirements Manual CSP B-053, Revision 9, dated July 
20, 2007 (``the MRM''). For task numbers 24-90-00-601, 24-90-00-602, 
28-00-00-601, 28-11-23-601, 28-11-23-602, 28-12-13-601, 29-30-00-
601, and 29-30-00-602, the initial compliance times start from the 
later of the times specified in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) 
of this AD, and the repetitive inspections must be accomplished 
thereafter at the interval specified in the MRM, except as provided 
by paragraphs (f)(1) and (g)(1) of this AD. Accomplishing the 
revision in accordance with a later revision of the MRM is an 
acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the 
Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, or 
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) (or its delegated agent).
    (i) The effective date of this AD.
    (ii) The date of issuance of the original Canadian standard 
airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original 
Canadian export certificate of airworthiness.
    (2) After accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD, no alternative inspections or inspection 
intervals may be used, unless the inspection or interval is part of 
a later revision of the Section 3, ``Fuel System Limitations,'' of 
Part 2 of Bombardier CL-600-2C10, CL-600-2D15, and CL-600-2D24 
Maintenance Requirements Manual CSP B-053, Revision 9, dated July 
20, 2007, that is approved by the Manager, New York ACO, FAA, or 
TCCA (or its delegated agent); or unless the inspection or interval 
is approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this 
AD.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to Attn: Rocco Viselli, Aerospace 
Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7331; fax (516) 794-
5531. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the 
AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in 
the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, 
your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2007-28, 
dated November 22, 2007; and Section 3, ``Fuel System Limitations,'' 
of Part 2 of Bombardier CL-600-2C10, CL-600-2D15, and CL-600-2D24 
Maintenance Requirements Manual CSP B-053, Revision 9, dated July 
20, 2007; for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Section 3, ``Fuel System Limitations,'' of Part 
2 of Bombardier CL-600-2C10, CL-600-2D15, and CL-600-2D24 
Maintenance Requirements Manual CSP B-053, Revision 9, dated July 
20, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station 
Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 
on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, 
or go to: http://wwws.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 28, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-4494 Filed 3-11-08; 8:45 am]
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