[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 126 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38064-38066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15983]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0643; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-030-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8 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:

    The landing gear alternate extension system in the cockpit is 
accessible through an access panel located on the cockpit floor. 
There have been reports of failure of the access panel latch 
assembly as a consequence of repeated closure of the access panel 
involving the use of excessive force. Failure of the latch assembly 
can result in the access panel being jammed in the closed position, 
and require mechanical prying to open.
    An undetected or uncorrected latch failure condition in the 
access panel can prevent immediate access to the landing gear 
alternate extension system by the flight crew during an emergency. * 
* *

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 August 16, 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.

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: Craig Yates, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 
New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7355; 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-2010-0643; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-030-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

    The Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2009-46, dated December 14, 2009 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    The landing gear alternate extension system in the cockpit is 
accessible through an access panel located on the cockpit floor. 
There have been reports of failure of the access panel latch 
assembly as a consequence of repeated closure of the access panel 
involving the use of excessive force. Failure of the latch assembly 
can result in the access panel being jammed in the closed position, 
and require mechanical prying to open.
    An undetected or uncorrected latch failure condition in the 
access panel can prevent immediate access to the landing gear 
alternate extension system by the flight crew during an emergency. 
This Directive requires the replacement of the existing latch 
assembly with a stronger modified latch assembly.

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

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued Service Bulletin 8-32-166, Revision A, 
dated January 29, 2009; and Service Bulletin 84-32-57, Revision A, 
dated June 15, 2009. 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.

[[Page 38065]]

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 198 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 3 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $815 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 $211,860, or $1,070 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.: Docket No. FAA-2010-0643; Directorate Identifier 
2010-NM-030-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by August 16, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-101, -102, -103, -106, -201, -
202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes, serial numbers 003 through 658 
inclusive.
    (2) Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, -402 airplanes, 
serial numbers 4001, 4003, 4004, 4006, and 4008 through 4187 
inclusive.

Subject

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

Reason

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

    The landing gear alternate extension system in the cockpit is 
accessible through an access panel located on the cockpit floor. 
There have been reports of failure of the access panel latch 
assembly as a consequence of repeated closure of the access panel 
involving the use of excessive force. Failure of the latch assembly 
can result in the access panel being jammed in the closed position, 
and require mechanical prying to open.
    An undetected or uncorrected latch failure condition in the 
access panel can prevent immediate access to the landing gear 
alternate extension system by the flight crew during an emergency. * 
* *

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Actions

    (g) Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever comes first: Replace the latch assembly 
of the access panel for the alternate extension system for the 
landing gear with a modified latch assembly, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-32-166, 
Revision A, dated January 29, 2009 (for Model DHC-8-100, DHC-8-200, 
and DHC-8-300 series airplanes); or Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-
32-57, Revision A, dated June 15, 2009 (for Model DHC-8-400 series 
airplanes).

Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (h) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD 
according to Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-32-166, dated April 14, 
2008; or Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-57, dated April 30, 2008; 
as applicable; are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions specified in this AD.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 1:  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, 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

[[Page 38066]]

(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

    (j) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2009-46, 
dated December 14, 2009; Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-32-166, 
Revision A, dated January 29, 2009; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 
84-32-57, Revision A, dated June 15, 2009; for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 23, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-15983 Filed 6-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P