[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 40 (Wednesday, February 29, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12173-12175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3892]


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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; 
Amendment 39-16957; AD 2012-04-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. 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 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 AD was 
prompted by reports of aileron control stiffness. This AD requires 
revising the maintenance program to incorporate the discard task for 
outboard wing aileron pulleys. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
aileron control stiffness during flight, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 4, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 4, 
2012.

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: 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: 

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 November 8, 2011 (76 
FR 69161). That NPRM proposed 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.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received. The commenter, Air Line 
Pilots Association, International, supports the NPRM (76 FR 69161, 
November 8, 2011).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have determined 
that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (76 FR 69161, November 8, 2011) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 69161, November 8, 2011).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 398 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD to the 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 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 proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;

[[Page 12174]]

    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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 (76 FR 69161, November 8, 
2011), 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:

2012-04-02 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-16957. Docket No. FAA-
2011-1227; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-100-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 4, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    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.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of aileron control stiffness. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent aileron control stiffness during 
flight, which could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Actions

    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 to paragraph (g) of this AD: The actions required by 
paragraph (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.

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    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.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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.

(j) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Transport Canada Civil Aviation Airworthiness 
Directive CF-2011-07, dated April 26, 2011; and Bombardier 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 MRM; for related information.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51:
    (i) 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 Maintenance 
Requirements Manual, approved for IBR April 4, 2012.
    (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; email [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.

[[Page 12175]]

    (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 an NARA facility, 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 February 9, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-3892 Filed 2-28-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P