[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15823-15825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5771]



[[Page 15823]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0703; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-040-AD; 
Amendment 39-16633; AD 2011-06-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 
(Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) Airplanes, 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), 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:

    There have been failures of the harness assembly (power feeder 
wires) connecting the Air-Driven Generator (ADG) to the aeroplane 
electrical system, in the area close to the ADG cannon plug. Several 
electrical wires were found cut as a combined result of corrosion 
and bending stress from the harness mounting to the ADG.
    The ADG electrical wires are insulated with a silver-plating for 
corrosion protection. It has been determined that the silver-plating 
of wire strands in the area of tight bend is highly susceptible to 
breakdown. The plating layer may crack as a result of mechanical 
stress, and consequently lead to the onset of corrosion on all, or a 
majority, of the wire strands.
    In the event of a damaged harness assembly, the ADG may not be 
able to provide emergency electrical power to the aeroplane. * * *

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

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 26, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 26, 
2011.

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: Assata Dessaline, 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) 228-7301; 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 August 5, 2010 (75 
FR 47249). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    There have been failures of the harness assembly (power feeder 
wires) connecting the Air-Driven Generator (ADG) to the aeroplane 
electrical system, in the area close to the ADG cannon plug. Several 
electrical wires were found cut as a combined result of corrosion 
and bending stress from the harness mounting to the ADG.
    The ADG electrical wires are insulated with a silver-plating for 
corrosion protection. It has been determined that the silver-plating 
of wire strands in the area of tight bend is highly susceptible to 
breakdown. The plating layer may crack as a result of mechanical 
stress, and consequently lead to the onset of corrosion on all, or a 
majority, of the wire strands.
    In the event of a damaged harness assembly, the ADG may not be 
able to provide emergency electrical power to the aeroplane. This 
directive is issued to correct the identified unsafe condition by 
requiring [the modification of the ADG, which includes] the 
replacement of the harness assembly with tin-plated electrical 
wires, [the replacement of the backshell,] and the re-orientation of 
the ADG cannon plug to reduce bending stress.

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

Updated Relevant Service Information

    We have received Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-24-128, Revision 
C, dated May 14, 2010. In the NPRM we referred to Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 601R-24-128, Revision A, dated November 27, 2009, as the 
source of service information for doing the required actions on certain 
models affected by this AD. Revision C of that service bulletin makes 
certain editorial changes. We have revised paragraph (g)(1) of this AD 
to specify Revision C of that service bulletin, and revised paragraph 
(h) of this AD to give credit for having done Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 601R-24-128, Revision A, dated November 27, 2009, and Revision 
B, dated April 16, 2010, prior to the effective date of this AD.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received.

Request To Shorten Compliance Time

    Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) requested that 
the compliance time of 72 months be reduced to 36 months, because the 
corrective action only requires 8 work-hours to complete and ALPA 
believes that 72 months is too long to comply with the AD based on the 
importance of this modification.
    We do not agree with the request for a shorter compliance time. In 
developing the compliance time, we determined that the compliance time 
of 72 months or 6,000 flight hours, whichever occurs first, is 
appropriate in consideration of the safety implications, the average 
utilization rate of the affected fleet, the practical aspects of an 
orderly inspection of the fleet during regular maintenance periods, and 
the availability of required modification parts. In addition, our 
compliance time corresponds with the 72-month compliance time of the 
parallel AD issued by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA). We have 
not changed the AD in this regard.

Change to Applicability in This Final Rule

    We received notice from Bombardier, Inc. and TCCA that certain 
airplanes identified in the NPRM have had the actions specified by this 
AD already incorporated in production, and therefore are not affected 
by the identified unsafe condition. Specifically, Model CL-600-2B19 
(Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, serial numbers 8108 through 
8111 have had the actions incorporated. We have reduced the 
applicability in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD accordingly.

Conclusion

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

[[Page 15824]]

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 920 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take 8 work-hours per product to comply 
with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 
per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $1,881 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 
parts. 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 this AD to the U.S. operators to be 
$2,356,120, or $2,561 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

    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:

2011-06-08 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-16633. Docket No. FAA-
2010-0703; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-040-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 
26, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 
& 440) airplanes, serial numbers 7305 through 7990 inclusive, and 
8000 through 8107 inclusive.
    (2) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 
701, & 702) airplanes, serial numbers 10003 through 10302 inclusive.
    (3) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) 
and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, serial numbers 
15001 through 15259 inclusive.

Subject

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

Reason

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

    There have been failures of the harness assembly (power feeder 
wires) connecting the Air-Driven Generator (ADG) to the aeroplane 
electrical system, in the area close to the ADG cannon plug. Several 
electrical wires were found cut as a combined result of corrosion 
and bending stress from the harness mounting to the ADG.
    The ADG electrical wires are insulated with a silver-plating for 
corrosion protection. It has been determined that the silver-plating 
of wire strands in the area of tight bend is highly susceptible to 
breakdown. The plating layer may crack as a result of mechanical 
stress, and consequently lead to the onset of corrosion on all, or a 
majority, of the wire strands.
    In the event of a damaged harness assembly, the ADG may not be 
able to provide emergency electrical power to the aeroplane. * * *

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 72 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do the applicable actions 
specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) For Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 
airplanes: Modify the air-driven generator (ADG) in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-
24-128, Revision C, dated May 14, 2010.
    (2) For Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), 
CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet 
Series 900) airplanes: Modify the ADG in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-
027, dated September 17, 2009.

[[Page 15825]]

Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    (h) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with the Bombardier service bulletins identified in Table 
1 of this AD are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding action specified in this AD.

                                        Table 1--Credit Service Bulletins
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     Bombardier Service Bulletin--                   Revision--                            Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
601R-24-128...........................  Original...........................  September 17, 2009.
601R-24-128...........................  A..................................  November 27, 2009.
601R-24-128...........................  B..................................  April 16, 2010.
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FAA AD Differences

    Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: The Canadian airworthiness directive includes Model CL-
600-2B19 airplanes having serial numbers 8108 through 8111 in the 
applicability. This AD does not apply to those airplanes.

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), 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, notify 
your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district 
office/certificate holding 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.

Related Information

    (j) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2009-47, 
dated December 14, 2009; Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-24-128, 
Revision C, dated May 14, 2010; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 
670BA-24-027, dated September 17, 2009; for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-24-128, 
Revision C, dated May 14, 2010; or Bombardier Service Bulletin 
670BA-24-027, dated September 17, 2009; as applicable; 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., 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.
    (3) You may review copies of the 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference 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://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 4, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-5771 Filed 3-21-11; 8:45 am]
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