[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 29, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68741-68743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30651]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-1214; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-091-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Avro International Aerospace Division; British 
Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited; British 
Aerospace (England)) Model BD-100-1A10 (Challenger 300) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

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:

    There has been an incident during a production flight test where 
the proximity-sensor electronic unit (PSEU) failed. This resulted in 
unannunciated loss of:
     Wheel brakes below 10 knots;
     Thrust reverser;
     Nose wheel steering; and
     Auto-deployment of the multi-function spoilers.
    A similar condition, if not corrected, may result in reduced 
controllability of the aircraft upon landing and possible overrun of 
the runway.
* * * * *
    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 February 12, 
2010.

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.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec 
H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-7401; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You 
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.

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: Bruce Valentine, Aerospace Engineer, 
Avionics and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New 
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7328; 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-2009-1214; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-091-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 have lengthened the 30-day comment period for proposed ADs that 
address MCAI originated by aviation authorities of other countries to 
provide adequate time for interested parties to submit comments. The 
comment period for these proposed ADs is now typically 45 days, which 
is consistent with the comment period for domestic transport ADs.
    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-
2005-12R1, dated December 23, 2008 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    There has been an incident during a production flight test where 
the proximity-sensor electronic unit (PSEU) failed. This resulted in 
unannunciated loss of:
     Wheel brakes below 10 knots;
     Thrust reverser;
     Nose wheel steering; and
     Auto-deployment of the multi-function spoilers.
    A similar condition, if not corrected, may result in reduced 
controllability of the aircraft upon landing and possible overrun of 
the runway.
    The original issue of this [Canadian] directive mandated the 
introduction of non-normal procedures to the airplane flight manual 
(AFM) as an interim corrective action to address PSEU failures.
    Revision 1 of this directive amends the aircraft applicability 
and introduces a note providing terminating action, for use at 
operator discretion, if the aircraft has incorporated a PSEU with 
software version 12 in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 
(SB) 100-32-12.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Temporary Revision TR-39, dated March 2, 
2005, to the Bombardier Challenger 300 AFM, CSP 100-1. 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

[[Page 68742]]

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 162 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would 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 proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $12,960, 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 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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Avro 
International Aerospace Division; British Aerospace, PLC; British 
Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited; British Aerospace (England)): 
Docket No. FAA-2009-1214; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-091-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by February 12, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. (Type Certificate 
previously held by Avro International Aerospace Division; British 
Aerospace, PLC; British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Limited; 
British Aerospace (England)) Model BD-100-1A10 (Challenger 300) 
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 20002 
through 20153 inclusive.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing 
gear.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    There has been an incident during a production flight test where 
the proximity-sensor electronic unit (PSEU) failed. This resulted in 
unannunciated loss of:
     Wheel brakes below 10 knots;
     Thrust reverser;
     Nose wheel steering; and
     Auto-deployment of the multi-function spoilers.
    A similar condition, if not corrected, may result in reduced 
controllability of the aircraft upon landing and possible overrun of 
the runway.
    The original issue of this directive mandated the introduction 
of non-normal procedures to the airplane flight manual (AFM) as an 
interim corrective action to address PSEU failures.
    Revision 1 of this directive amends the aircraft applicability 
and introduces a note providing terminating action, for use at 
operator discretion, if the aircraft has incorporated a PSEU with 
software version 12 in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 
(SB) 100-32-12.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, within 14 days after the effective date 
of this AD: Revise the Limitations Section of the Bombardier 
Challenger 300 AFM, CSP 100-1, to include the information in 
Bombardier Temporary Revision TR-39, dated March 2, 2005, as 
specified in the temporary revision. This temporary revision 
introduces a procedure for ``PROX SYS FAULT (A)'' and modifies the 
``WOW FAIL (C)'' and ``GEAR SYS FAIL (C)'' procedures.

    Note 1: This may be done by inserting a copy of Bombardier 
Temporary Revision TR-39, dated March 2, 2005, in the AFM. When this 
temporary revision has been included in general revisions of the 
AFM, the general revisions may be inserted in the AFM, provided the 
relevant information in the general revision is identical to that in 
Bombardier Temporary Revision TR-39, dated March 2, 2005.


    Note 2: If the aircraft has incorporated a PSEU, part number (P/
N) 30227-0401, 30227-0402, or 30227-0403, with software version 12, 
installed in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-32-12, 
dated June 4, 2007, it is permissible to follow the revised AFM 
procedures included in Bombardier Temporary Revision TR-46, dated 
March 27, 2008, in lieu of using Bombardier Temporary Revision TR-
39, dated March 2, 2005, specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 3: 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:

[[Page 68743]]

    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, 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: Program 
Manager, Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York, 11590; telephone 516-
228-7300; fax 516-794-5531. Before using any approved AMOC on any 
airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal 
maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), 
as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight 
Standards District Office. The AMOC approval letter must 
specifically reference this AD.
    (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 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), 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 Transport Canada Civil Aviation Airworthiness 
Directive CF-2005-12R1, dated December 23, 2008; and Bombardier 
Temporary Revision TR-39, dated March 2, 2005; for related 
information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 16, 2009.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-30651 Filed 12-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P