[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 8, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69161-69163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28835]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1227; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-100-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. 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 all 
Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 
702) airplanes; Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes; 
and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. 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:

    A number of reports of aileron control stiffness have been 
received on Bombardier Regional Jet aeroplanes. Bombardier has 
reviewed the current maintenance tasks for the aileron control 
system and determined that an additional maintenance task is 
required.

* * * [A]ileron control stiffness during flight * * * could result 
in reduced controllability of the aeroplane.

    The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address 
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

[[Page 69162]]


DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 23, 
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 W12-140, 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; email 
[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: Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New 
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7318; 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-2011-1227; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-100-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 aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2011-07, dated April 26, 2011 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), 
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    A number of reports of aileron control stiffness have been 
received on Bombardier Regional Jet aeroplanes. Bombardier has 
reviewed the current maintenance tasks for the aileron control 
system and determined that an additional maintenance task is 
required.
    This directive mandates revision of the approved maintenance 
schedule to incorporate the discard task for outboard wing aileron 
pulleys to prevent aileron control stiffness during flight which 
could result in reduced controllability of the aeroplane.

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

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued Temporary Revision 1-41, dated October 
22, 2010, to Section 2--Systems/Powerplant Program of Part 1 of the 
Bombardier CL-600-2C10, CL-600-2D15, CL-600-2D24, CL-600-2E25 
Maintenance Requirements Manual. 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 398 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 $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $33,830, or $85 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

[[Page 69163]]

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-2011-1227; Directorate Identifier 
2011-NM-100-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by December 23, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes; Model CL-600-2D15 
(Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes; and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional 
Jet Series 900) airplanes; certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27: Flight 
controls.

Reason

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

    A number of reports of aileron control stiffness have been 
received on Bombardier Regional Jet aeroplanes. Bombardier has 
reviewed the current maintenance tasks for the aileron control 
system and determined that an additional maintenance task is 
required.

* * * [A]ileron control stiffness during flight * * * could result 
in reduced controllability of 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 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise 
the maintenance program to incorporate Task 271000-218, discard of 
the outboard wing aileron pulleys, as specified in Bombardier 
Temporary Revision (TR) 1-41, dated October 22, 2010, to Section 2--
Systems/Powerplant Program of Part 1 of the Bombardier CL-600-2C10, 
CL-600-2D15, CL-600-2D24, CL-600-2E25 Maintenance Requirements 
Manual (MRM). For this task, the initial compliance time starts at 
the applicable time specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), 
or (g)(4) of this AD. Thereafter, operate the airplane according to 
the procedures and compliance times in Bombardier TR 1-41, dated 
October 22, 2010.
    (1) For airplanes with 10,000 or less total flight hours as of 
the effective date of this AD: Prior to the outboard wing aileron 
pulley accumulating 12,000 total flight hours.
    (2) For airplanes with more than 10,000 total flight hours but 
with 16,000 total flight hours or less as of the effective date of 
this AD: Prior to the outboard wing aileron pulley accumulating 
17,300 total flight hours, or within 2,000 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever is earlier.
    (3) For airplanes with more than 16,000 total flight hours but 
with 20,000 total flight hours or less as of the effective date of 
this AD: Prior to the outboard wing aileron pulley accumulating 
20,800 total flight hours, or within 1,300 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever is earlier.
    (4) For airplanes with more than 20,000 total flight hours as of 
the effective date of this AD: Within 800 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD.

    Note 1: The actions required by paragraphs (g) of this AD may be 
done by inserting a copy of Bombardier TR 1-41, dated October 22, 
2010, into Section 2--Systems/Powerplant Program of Part 1 of the 
Bombardier CL-600-2C10, CL-600-2D15, CL-600-2D24, CL-600-2E25 MRM. 
When this TR has been included in the general revisions of the MRM, 
the general revisions may be inserted in the MRM, and the TR may be 
removed from the MRM, provided that the relevant information in the 
general revision is identical to that in Bombardier TR 1-41, dated 
October 22, 2010.

No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    (h) After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) 
of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals 
may be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 2:  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 (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

    (j) Refer to MCAI Transport Canada Civil Aviation Airworthiness 
Directive CF-2011-07, dated April 26, 2011; and Bombardier Temporary 
Revision 1-41, dated October 22, 2010, to Section 2--Systems/
Powerplant Program of Part 1 of the Bombardier CL-600-2C10, CL-600-
2D15, CL-600-2D24, CL-600-2E25 MRM; for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 31, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-28835 Filed 11-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P