[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 185 (Friday, September 23, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59067-59069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24432]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0992; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-126-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-
601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 Variants) 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:

    Three (3) events have occurred where the Air-Driven Generator 
(ADG) failed to provide power on CL-600-2B19 (CRJ) aeroplanes during 
their regularly scheduled operational/functional checks. An 
investigation revealed that in all cases, the silver-plated copper 
wires within the ADG power feeder cables were damaged due to 
galvanic corrosion. It was subsequently determined that the silver-
plating is inadequate for this application.
    In the event of damage to the power feeder cable wires, the ADG 
may not be able to provide emergency electrical power to the 
aeroplane.
    Although there have been no reported failures to date on any CL-
600-2B16 (604 Variant) aeroplanes, a sampling program carried out on 
these aeroplanes showed signs of microscopic galvanic corrosion on 
the ADG power feeder cable wires.
* * * * *

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 November 7, 
2011.

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,

[[Page 59068]]

Room W12-140, 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: 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: 

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-2011-0992; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-126-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

    The Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2011-08, dated April 28, 2011 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), 
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    Three (3) events have occurred where the Air-Driven Generator 
(ADG) failed to provide power on CL-600-2B19 (CRJ) aeroplanes during 
their regularly scheduled operational/functional checks. An 
investigation revealed that in all cases, the silver-plated copper 
wires within the ADG power feeder cables were damaged due to 
galvanic corrosion. It was subsequently determined that the silver-
plating is inadequate for this application.
    In the event of damage to the power feeder cable wires, the ADG 
may not be able to provide emergency electrical power to the 
aeroplane.
    Although there have been no reported failures to date on any CL-
600-2B16 (604 Variant) aeroplanes, a sampling program carried out on 
these aeroplanes showed signs of microscopic galvanic corrosion on 
the ADG power feeder cable wires.
    This directive is issued to correct this potentially unsafe 
condition by mandating the replacement of all ADG power feeder 
cables * * * with an ADG power feeder cable that contains tin-plated 
copper wires.

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

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 604-24-024, dated January 
31, 2011. 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 72 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 24 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 $1,897 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 the proposed AD on U.S. operators to 
be $283,464, or $3,937 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

[[Page 59069]]

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-2011-0992; Directorate Identifier 
2011-NM-126-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by November 7, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-
601-3A, CL-601-3R, & CL-604 Variants) airplanes, certificated in any 
category, serial numbers 5301, 5302, 5305 through 5318 inclusive, 
5320 through 5328 inclusive, 5331 through 5349 inclusive, 5351 
through 5367 inclusive, 5369 through 5408 inclusive, 5410, 5412 
through 5426 inclusive, 5428 through 5438 inclusive, 5440 through 
5489 inclusive, 5491 through 5498 inclusive, 5500 through 5517 
inclusive, 5519 through 5522 inclusive, and 5524 through 5665 
inclusive.

Subject

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

Reason

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

    Three (3) events have occurred where the Air-Driven Generator 
(ADG) failed to provide power on CL-600-2B19 (CRJ) aeroplanes during 
their regularly scheduled operational/functional checks. An 
investigation revealed that in all cases, the silver-plated copper 
wires within the ADG power feeder cables were damaged due to 
galvanic corrosion. It was subsequently determined that the silver-
plating is inadequate for this application.
    In the event of damage to the power feeder cable wires, the ADG 
may not be able to provide emergency electrical power to the 
aeroplane.
    Although there have been no reported failures to date on any CL-
600-2B16 (604 Variant) aeroplanes, a sampling program carried out on 
these aeroplanes showed signs of microscopic galvanic corrosion on 
the ADG power feeder cable wires.
* * * * *

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 72 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the ADG power feeder cable, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-24-
024, dated January 31, 2011.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 1:  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), ANE-170, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the ACO, send it 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

    (i) Refer to MCAI Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) 
Airworthiness Directive CF-2011-08, dated April 28, 2011; and 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-24-024, dated January 31, 2011; for 
related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington on September 16, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-24432 Filed 9-22-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P