[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 159 (Thursday, August 16, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49394-49396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20110]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0806; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-022-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 
certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of an in-service incident 
where the propeller de-icing system became unavailable due to burnt/
chafed wires within the alternating current contractor box (ACCB). This 
proposed AD would require inspection for chafing, damage, and loose 
wiring within an ACCB and repair if necessary; and would require rework 
and re-identification of the wiring installation within each ACCB. We 
are proposing this AD to detect and correct damaged, chafed, or loose 
wiring within an ACCB, which could affect the operation of the 
windshield heater, ice detector, angle of attack (AOA) vane heater, 
pilot probe heater, engine intake heater, or propeller de-icing system, 
and subsequently adversely affect the airplane's flight characteristics 
in icing conditions.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 1, 2012.

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., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt Boulevard, 
Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone 416-375-4000; fax 416-375-
4539; 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: Assata Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer, 
Avionics and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 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-2012-0806; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-022-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-
2012-03, dated January 11, 2012 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    There has been one (1) reported in-service incident where the 
propeller de-icing system became unavailable due to burnt/chafed 
wires within the Alternating Current Contactor Box (ACCB). There has 
also been a number of additional minor events of wires found chafed 
within ACCBs.
    An investigation revealed that inadequate clearance between the 
wires and metallic structure within the ACCB could cause chafed 
wires.
    Damaged, chafed or loose wiring within an ACCB could affect the 
operation of the windshield heater, ice detector, angle of attack 
(AOA) vane heater, pitot probe heater, engine intake heater or 
propeller de-icing system. Loss of one of these systems could 
adversely affect the aeroplane's flight characteristics in icing 
conditions.
    This [TCCA] Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandates the [visual] 
inspection [for damaged, chafed, and loose wiring within an ACCB and 
replace if necessary] and rectification [rework] of the wiring 
installation within each ACCB.

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

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued the following service bulletins:
     Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-47, Revision A, dated 
September 14, 2011.
     Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-48, Revision A, dated 
September 14, 2011.
     Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-49, Revision A, dated 
September 14, 2011.
     Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-50, Revision A, dated 
September 14, 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

[[Page 49395]]

information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 83 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 7 work-hours 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 $49,385, or $595 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 2 work-hours and require parts costing $0, for a cost of 
$170 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products 
that may need these actions.

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);
    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 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-2012-0806; Directorate Identifier 
2012-NM-022-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 1, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -
402 airplanes; certificated in any category; serial numbers 4001 and 
subsequent.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of an in-service incident where 
the propeller de-icing system became unavailable due to burnt/chafed 
wires within the alternating current contractor box (ACCB) due to 
inadequate clearance. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
damaged, chafed, or loose wiring within an ACCB, which could affect 
the operation of the windshield heater, ice detector, angle of 
attack (AOA) vane heater, pilot probe heater, engine intake heater, 
or propeller de-icing system, and subsequently adversely affect the 
airplane's flight characteristics in icing conditions.

(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) Inspection

    For serial numbers 4001 through 4354 and 4356 through 4366: 
Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a general visual inspection for 
chafing, damage, and insulation damage, and rework the wiring within 
the ACCB, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in the 
applicable Bombardier service bulletins specified in paragraphs 
(g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD. If any chafing, damage, or 
insulation damage is found, before further flight, replace the 
damaged wiring, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of the applicable Bombardier service bulletins specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD.
    (1) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-47, Revision A, dated 
September 14, 2011.
    (2) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-48, Revision A, dated 
September 14, 2011.
    (3) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-49, Revision A, dated 
September 14, 2011.
    (4) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-50, Revision A, dated 
September 14, 2011.

(h) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an 
ACCB having the combination of part numbers (P/N) and series 
specified in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), (h)(3), and (h)(4) of this 
AD on any airplane.
    (1) P/N 1152130-6, series 1, 2, and 4.
    (2) P/N 1152148-6, series 1, 2, 4, and 5.
    (3) P/N 1152090-6, series 1, 2, and 4.
    (4) P/N 1152124-6, series 1, 2, 4, and 5.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using the applicable service bulletins 
specified in paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(4) of this AD.
    (1) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-47, dated April 26, 2011.
    (2) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-48, dated April 26, 2011.
    (3) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-49, dated April 26, 2011.
    (4) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-50, dated April 26, 2011.

(j) 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

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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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2012-03, 
dated January 11, 2012, and the service information specified in 
paragraphs (k)(1)(i) through (k)(1)(iv) of this AD, for related 
information.
    (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-47, Revision A, dated 
September 14, 2011.
    (ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-48, Revision A, dated 
September 14, 2011.
    (iii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-49, Revision A, dated 
September 14, 2011.
    (iv) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-50, Revision A, dated 
September 14, 2011.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt 
Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone 416-375-4000; 
fax 416-375-4539; 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, WA. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 3, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-20110 Filed 8-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P