[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 111 (Monday, June 9, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32493-32495]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12833]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0625; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-069-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

    During a pre-delivery flight of a CL-600-2C10 aircraft, the AC 
essential bus did not come on-line following deployment of the Air 
Driven Generator (ADG). Following investigation, it was determined 
that a specific batch of contactors in the ADG Power Center (ADGPC) 
is susceptible to failure due to low contact pressure. * * *

The unsafe condition is malfunction of the emergency AC generation and 
control system that supplies emergency AC power to essential flight 
instruments, including the flap and slat system, pitch trim system, and 
hydraulic pump 3B. Loss of essential flight instruments could prevent 
continued safe flight and landing 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 July 9, 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: Wing Chan, 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) 228-7311; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 32494]]

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-2008-0625; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-069-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-
2008-14, dated February 19, 2008 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    During a pre-delivery flight of a CL-600-2C10 aircraft, the AC 
essential bus did not come on-line following deployment of the Air 
Driven Generator (ADG). Following investigation, it was determined 
that a specific batch of contactors in the ADG Power Center (ADGPC) 
is susceptible to failure due to low contact pressure. This 
directive mandates inspection of the ADGPC and replacement of any 
contactors in the suspect batch. It also prohibits future 
installation of ADGPCs and contactors that have not been inspected 
per this directive.

The unsafe condition is malfunction of the emergency AC generation and 
control system that supplies emergency AC power to essential flight 
instruments, including the flap and slat system, pitch trim system, and 
hydraulic pump 3B. Loss of essential flight instruments could prevent 
continued safe flight and landing of the airplane. You may obtain 
further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 670BA-24-021, Revision A, 
dated December 11, 2006. 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 306 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 9 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 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 $220,320, or $720 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 Canadair): Docket No. FAA-2008-0625; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-069-AD.

[[Page 32495]]

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by July 9, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional 
Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, serial numbers 10004 and 
subsequent; Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes 
and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, serial 
numbers 15002 and subsequent; certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24: 
Electrical power.

Reason

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

    During a pre-delivery flight of a CL-600-2C10 aircraft, the AC 
essential bus did not come on-line following deployment of the Air 
Driven Generator (ADG). Following investigation, it was determined 
that a specific batch of contactors in the ADG Power Center (ADGPC) 
is susceptible to failure due to low contact pressure. This 
directive mandates inspection of the ADGPC and replacement of any 
contactors in the suspect batch. It also prohibits future 
installation of ADGPCs and contactors that have not been inspected 
per this directive.

The unsafe condition is malfunction of the emergency AC generation 
and control system that supplies emergency AC power to essential 
flight instruments, including the flap and slat system, pitch trim 
system, and hydraulic pump 3B. Loss of essential flight instruments 
could prevent continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) For Model CL-600-2C10 airplanes having serial numbers 10004 
through 10265, and Model CL-600-2D15 and CL-600-2D24 airplanes 
having serial numbers 15002 through 15162: Within 5,000 flight hours 
or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
first, inspect for the serial number of the installed ADGPC and, as 
applicable, for the serial numbers of installed contactors K117, 
K147 and K153, in accordance with Part A of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-021, Revision 
A, dated December 11, 2006. If the serial number of the ADGPC is in 
the range 134 through 250, and any installed contactor has a serial 
number in the range 411 through 777, before further flight, replace 
the affected contactor in accordance with Part B of the service 
bulletin.
    (2) Previous inspection of the ADGPC, and replacement of 
contactors, before the effective date of this AD, in accordance with 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-021, dated May 30, 2005, meets 
the requirements of paragraphs (f)(1) of this AD if the ADGPC has 
not been replaced since accomplishment of the service bulletin.
    (3) A review of the aircraft maintenance records to determine 
the ADGPC and contactor serial numbers also meets the inspection 
requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

Parts Installation

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD: No replacement/spare 
ADGPC having part number 781GA01Y00, with a serial number in the 
range 134 through 250, is permitted to be installed on any aircraft, 
unless the ADGPC has been modified according to paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD.
    (h) As of the effective date of this AD: No replacement/spare 
ADGPC contactor having part number 995CA01Y00, with a serial number 
in the range 411 through 777, is permitted to be installed on any 
aircraft, unless the ADGPC contactor is identified with two labels, 
as specified in Zodiac ECE Service Bulletin 995CA01Y-24-001, dated 
May 3, 2005.

FAA AD Differences

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

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (i) 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: Wing Chan, Aerospace 
Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York 
ACO, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; 
telephone (516) 228-7311; 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

    (j) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2008-14, 
dated February 19, 2008; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-
021, Revision A, dated December 11, 2006; for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 30, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-12833 Filed 6-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P