[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66203-66205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27653]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1095; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-241-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:

    During pre-delivery inspections and test flights, several short 
circuit events were reported, one of which resulted in smoke in the 
cockpit. There were no in-service incidents.

Investigations have identified three conditions affecting the wiring 
of Circuit Breaker Panels * * * and Junction Boxes * * *, which 
would lead to short circuiting:
* * * * *
If not corrected, these conditions could result in arcing, damage to 
adjacent structure, smoke in the cockpit, or loss of system 
redundancies.
* * * * *

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 December 12, 
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, 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; phone: 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 (phone: 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, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave. Suite 410, Westbury, 
NY 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-2011-1095; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-241-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 airworthiness 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2010-25, dated August 3, 2010 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), 
to correct

[[Page 66204]]

an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    During pre-delivery inspections and test flights, several short 
circuit events were reported, one of which resulted in smoke in the 
cockpit. There were no in-service incidents.
    Investigations have identified three conditions affecting the 
wiring of Circuit Breaker Panels 1, 2, 3 and 4 (CBP-1, CBP-2, CBP-3, 
and CBP-4) and Junction Boxes 17 and 18 (JB17 and JB18), which would 
lead to short circuiting:
    1. In CBP-1, there may be low clearance between specific bus 
bars and the circuit breaker panel structure.
    2. Some nickel-plated terminal lugs, size number 22-20 with a 
green insulating sleeve, may not have been manufactured to 
applicable standards. These terminal lugs may have been installed in 
CBP-1, CBP-2, CBP-3, CBP-4, JB17 and JB18. This manufacturing defect 
affects the mechanical hold of the wire in the crimped lug barrel.
    3. In JB17, JB18 and the above-mentioned CBPs, foreign object 
debris (FOD) may be found.
    If not corrected, these conditions could result in arcing, 
damage to adjacent structure, smoke in the cockpit, or loss of 
system redundancies.
    This TCCA directive is issued to mandate the replacement or 
relocation of the specific CBP-1 bus bars, the [detailed] 
inspection, and rework if necessary, of any loose or improperly 
crimped lugs in CBP-1, CBP-2, CBP-3, CBP-4, JB17 and JB18, and to 
ensure there is no FOD in the affected areas [via a general visual 
inspection for FOD, and removal if necessary].

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

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 605-24-002, dated December 
07, 2009, and Service Bulletin 605-24-004, dated January 18, 2010. 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 69 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 6 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 $347 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 $59,133, or $857 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-2011-1095; Directorate Identifier 
2010-NM-241-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by December 12, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-
601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 Variants) airplanes, certificated in 
any category, serial numbers 5701 through 5752 inclusive, 5754 
through 5775 inclusive, 5777, 5779 through 5781 inclusive, 5783 
through 5790 inclusive, 5792, 5794 through 5796 inclusive, 5798, 
5801, and 5804.

[[Page 66205]]

Subject

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

Reason

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

During pre-delivery inspections and test flights, several short 
circuit events were reported, one of which resulted in smoke in the 
cockpit. There were no in-service incidents.

Investigations have identified three conditions affecting the wiring 
of Circuit Breaker Panels * * * and Junction Boxes * * *, which 
would lead to short circuiting:

If not corrected, these conditions could result in arcing, damage to 
adjacent structure, smoke in the cockpit, or loss of system 
redundancies.

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.

Inspections, Bus Bar Actions, and Corrective Actions

    (g) For airplanes having serial numbers 5701 through 5752, 5754 
through 5775, 5777, 5780 through 5781, 5783 through 5790, 5792, 5794 
through 5796, 5798, 5801, and 5804: Within 800 flight hours after 
the effective date of this AD, do the actions in paragraph (g)(1), 
(g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-24-004, dated 
January 18, 2010.
    (1) Do a detailed inspection in CBP-1 for loose lugs and for 
crimped lugs that have any of the conditions specified in step 
2.B.(9)(d) of Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-24-004, dated January 
18, 2010. Before further flight, replace all loose lugs and all 
crimped lugs in CBP-1 that have any of the conditions specified in 
step 2.B.(9)(d) of Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-24-004, dated 
January 18, 2010.
    (2) Relocate or replace the CBP-1 bus bars as applicable.
    (3) Do a general visual inspection for foreign object damage 
(FOD). If any FOD is found: Before further flight, remove the FOD.
    (h) For airplanes having serial numbers 5701 through 5752, 5754 
through 5756, 5758 through 5775, 5779, 5781, 5788, 5789, 5792, 5795, 
5798, 5801, and 5804: Within 800 flight hours after the effective 
date of this AD, do the actions in paragraph (h)(1) and (h)(2) of 
this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-24-002, dated December 7, 2009.
    (1) Do a detailed inspection for loose lugs and for crimped lugs 
that have any of the conditions specified in step 2.B.(2)(d) of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-24-002, dated December 7, 2009, in 
CBP-2, CBP-3, CBP-4, JB17, and JB18. Before further flight, replace 
all loose lugs and all crimped lugs that have any of the conditions 
specified in step 2.B.(2)(d) of Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-24-
002, dated December 7, 2009, in CBP-2, CBP-3, CBP-4, JB17, and JB18.
    (2) Do a general visual inspection for FOD. If any FOD is found: 
Before further flight, remove the FOD.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 1:  This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service 
information as follows: The Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-24-002, dated December 7, 2009, does 
not specify corrective action for the general visual inspection for 
FOD. This AD requires removing any FOD discovered during the general 
visual inspection.

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. 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 manager of 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

    (j) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2010-25, 
dated August 3, 2010; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-24-002, 
dated December 07, 2009; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-24-004, 
dated January 18, 2010; for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 17, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-27653 Filed 10-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P