[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 61 (Friday, March 28, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16577-16579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6300]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0360; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-368-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed 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:

    Several production aircraft have been found with the elevator 
overload bungees installed in reverse orientation: i.e., larger end 
outboard rather than inboard. This bungee reversal does not impact 
normal operation of the elevator, and would not increase the 
probability of an elevator disconnect. However, if a bungee became 
disconnected at the inboard side, the corresponding side of the 
elevator may not center, and this could adversely affect the pitch 
control of the aircraft.

    Loss of elevator pitch control could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane. The proposed AD would require actions 
that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the 
MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 28, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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 this proposed AD, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fabio Buttitta, 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) 228-7303; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0360; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-368-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2007-30, dated November 28, 2007 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    Several production aircraft have been found with the elevator 
overload bungees installed in reverse orientation: i.e., larger end 
outboard rather than inboard. This bungee reversal does not impact 
normal operation of the elevator, and would not increase the 
probability of an elevator disconnect. However, if a bungee became 
disconnected at the inboard side, the corresponding side of the 
elevator may not center, and this could adversely affect the pitch 
control of the aircraft.

    Loss of elevator pitch control could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane. Corrective action includes a visual 
inspection for correct installation of the elevator overload bungees, 
reinstallation if necessary, and installation of labels to the elevator 
overload bungees. You may obtain further information by examining the 
MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletins 84-27-27, dated May 24, 
2005; and 84-27-30, Revision `C' dated October 31, 2007. The actions 
described in this service information are intended to correct the 
unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

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 proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a Note within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 38 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 1 work-hour per product to

[[Page 16578]]

comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $36 
per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs 
that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no 
charge for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for 
affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated 
here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators to be $4,408, or $116 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 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 this 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.

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

Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2008-
0360; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-368-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by April 28, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8-400, DHC-8-401, 
and DHC-8-402 airplanes; certificated in any category; having serial 
numbers 4003 and subsequent.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27: Flight 
controls.

Reason

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

    Several production aircraft have been found with the elevator 
overload bungees installed in reverse orientation: i.e., larger end 
outboard rather than inboard. This bungee reversal does not impact 
normal operation of the elevator, and would not increase the 
probability of an elevator disconnect. However, if a bungee became 
disconnected at the inboard side, the corresponding side of the 
elevator may not center, and this could adversely affect the pitch 
control of the aircraft.

    Loss of elevator pitch control could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane. Corrective action includes a visual 
inspection for correct installation of the elevator overload 
bungees, reinstallation if necessary, and installation of labels to 
the elevator overload bungees.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) For airplanes having serial numbers 4003, 4004, 4006, and 
4008 through 4159: unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 5,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD: Visually inspect both left and right elevator overload bungees, 
part number (P/N) FE289000000, to determine if they are correctly 
installed, in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-30, 
Revision `C,' dated October 31, 2007. If any bungee is found 
installed incorrectly, remove the bungee and re-install it correctly 
before the next flight in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (2) Within 5,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD: Attach label, P/N FE289006200, to both left and right elevator 
overload bungees to show the correct orientation of the outboard end 
in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-30, Revision 
`C,' dated October 31, 2007.
    (3) Within 5,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD: Re-identify the P/N to read ``FE289000001'' on the 
identification plate of both the left and right elevator overload 
bungees in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-30, 
Revision `C,' dated October 31, 2007.
    (4) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-27, dated May 24, 
2005, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions 
specified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), and (f)(3) of this AD.
    (5) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-30, dated February 
8, 2007; Revision `A,' dated March 2, 2007; or Revision `B,' dated 
May 3, 2007; are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
actions specified in this AD.

    Note 1: Paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(3) of this AD constitute 
Modsum 4-113537.

    (g) For all airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, no 
replacement/spare elevator overload bungees, P/N FE289000000, are 
permitted to be installed on any airplane. Only elevator overload 
bungees identified with new P/N ``FE289000001'' on the 
identification plate are permitted to be installed.

FAA AD Differences

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

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (h) 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: Fabio Buttitta, Aerospace 
Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York 
ACO, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; 
telephone (516) 228-7303; 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

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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

    (i) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2007-30, 
dated November 28, 2007; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-30, 
Revision `C,' dated October 31, 2007; for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 20, 2008.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-6300 Filed 3-27-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P