[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 4, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71729-71731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-29171]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1222; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-134-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 supersede an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series 
airplanes. The existing AD currently requires a free-play check for 
excessive free-play of the shaft swaged bearing installed in the 
tailstock end of each elevator power control unit (PCU), and replacing 
any PCU on which the bearing exceeds allowable limits with a 
serviceable PCU. Since we issued that AD, we have determined that 
additional airplanes are affected by the identified unsafe condition. 
This proposed AD would add airplanes to the applicability in the 
existing AD. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct excessive 
freeplay of the swaged bearings, which could lead to excessive airframe 
vibrations and difficulties in pitch control, and consequent loss of 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 18, 
2013.

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, WA. 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 (ACO), 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-2012-1222; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-134-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

    On June 14, 2011, we issued AD 2011-13-08, Amendment 39-16731 (76 
FR 37253, June 27, 2011). That AD required actions intended to address 
an unsafe condition on Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series 
airplanes.
    Since we issued the existing AD (76 FR 37253, June 27, 2011), we 
have determined that additional airplanes are affected by the 
identified unsafe condition. Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), 
which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Canadian 
Airworthiness Directive CF-2010-28R1, dated June 12, 2012 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Several reports have been received on the elevator power control 
units (PCUs) where the shaft (tailstock) swaged bearing liners had 
shown a higher than normal rate of wear. Investigation revealed that 
the excessive wear was due to the paint contamination between the 
bearing roller and bearing liner. The bearing paint contamination is 
known to be abrasive and could seize the bearing.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to excessive 
airframe vibrations and difficulties in aircraft pitch control.
    This [TCCA] directive mandates a free-play check of the shaft 
swaged bearing installed in the elevator PCU tailstock end and 
replacement of the shaft swaged bearings if excessive free-play is 
found.

[[Page 71730]]

    This [TCCA] AD is revised to amend the applicability for DHC-8 
Series 400 aeroplanes.

    The unsafe condition is loss of controllability of the airplane. 
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier Inc. has issued Service Bulletin 84-27-52, Revision A, 
dated March 5, 2012. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 81 products of U.S. registry.
    The actions that are required by AD 2011-13-08, Amendment 39-16731 
(76 FR 37253, June 27, 2011), and retained in this proposed AD take 
about 3 work-hours per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the currently 
required actions is $255 per product.
    We estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours per product to 
comply with the new 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 for the added airplanes 
to be $255 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 5 work-hours and require parts costing $33, for a cost of 
$458 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 removing airworthiness directive 
AD 2011-13-08, Amendment 39-16731 (76 FR 37253, June 27, 2011), and 
adding the following new AD:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2012-1222; Directorate Identifier 
2012-NM-134-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 18, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2011-13-08, Amendment 39-16731 (76 FR 
37253, June 27, 2011).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -
402 airplanes; certificated in any category; having serial numbers 
(S/Ns) 4001 through 4334 inclusive, and 4336.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of replacement of several 
elevator power control units (PCUs) due to worn swaged bearings 
located in the elevator PCU tailstock. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct excessive freeplay of the swaged bearings, which 
could lead to excessive airframe vibrations and difficulties in 
pitch control, and consequent loss of 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) Retained Free-Play Check With Revised Service Information

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2011-13-08, Amendment 39-16731 (76 FR 37253, June 27, 2011), with 
revised service information. For airplanes identified in paragraph 
(c) of this AD, except airplanes having S/N 4305 through 4334 
inclusive, and 4336: At the applicable time specified in paragraphs 
(g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, perform a free-play check for any 
shaft swaged bearing having part number (P/N) MS14103-7 that is 
installed in the tailstock end of each elevator PCU (three PCUs per 
elevator surface) having P/Ns 390600-1007 and 390600-1009, in 
accordance with paragraph 3.B., Part A, of Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 84-27-52, dated May 25, 2010; or Revision A, dated March 5, 
2012. As of the effective date of this AD, only Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 84-27-52, Revision A, dated March 5, 2012, may be used to 
accomplish the actions required by this paragraph.
    (1) For airplanes that have accumulated 8,000 or more total 
flight hours as of August 1, 2011 (the effective date of AD 2011-13-
08, Amendment 39-16731 (76 FR 37253, June 27, 2011)): Within 2,000 
flight hours after August 1, 2011 (the effective date of AD 2011-13-
08).

[[Page 71731]]

    (2) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 8,000 total 
flight hours as of August 1, 2011 (the effective date of AD 2011-13-
08, Amendment 39-16731 (76 FR 37253, June 27, 2011)): Within 6,000 
flight hours after August 1, 2011 (the effective date of AD 2011-13-
08), or before the accumulation of 10,000 total flight hours, 
whichever occurs first.

(h) Retained Follow-on Action

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2011-13-08, Amendment 39-16731 (76 FR 37253, June 27, 2011), with 
revised service information. If, during the check required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, the bearing free-play is within the limits 
specified in Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-52, dated May 25, 
2010, or Revision A, dated March 5, 2012; no further action is 
required by this AD. As of the effective date of this AD, only 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-52, Revision A, dated March 5, 
2012, may be used to accomplish the actions required by this 
paragraph.

(i) Retained Corrective Actions

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2011-13-08, Amendment 39-16731 (76 FR 37253, June 27, 2011), with 
revised service information. If, during the check required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, the bearing free-play exceeds the limits 
specified in Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-52, dated May 25, 
2010; or Revision A, dated March 5, 2012: Before further flight, 
replace the elevator PCU with a serviceable one, in accordance with 
paragraph 3.B., Part B, of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-52, 
dated May 25, 2010; or Revision A, dated March 5, 2012. As of the 
effective date of this AD, only Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-
52, Revision A, dated March 5, 2012, may be used to accomplish the 
actions required by this paragraph.

(j) New Requirements

    For airplanes having S/N 4305 through 4334 inclusive, and 4336: 
At the applicable time specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of 
this AD, perform a free-play check for any shaft swaged bearing 
having P/N MS14103-7 that is installed in the tailstock end of each 
elevator PCU (three PCUs per elevator surface), having P/Ns 390600-
1007 and 390600-1009, in accordance with paragraph 3.B., Part A, of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-52, Revision A, dated March 5, 
2012.
    (1) For airplanes that have accumulated 8,000 or more total 
flight hours as of the effective date of this AD: Within 2,000 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 8,000 total 
flight hours as of the effective date of this AD: Within 6,000 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, or before the 
accumulation of 10,000 total flight hours, whichever occurs first.

(k) Corrective Actions

    During the check required by paragraph (j) of this AD, if the 
bearing free-play is found to exceed the limits specified in 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-52, Revision A, dated March 5, 
2012: Before further flight, replace the elevator PCU with a 
serviceable one, in accordance with paragraph 3.B., Part B, of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-52, Revision A, dated March 5, 
2012.

(l) 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 Program Manager, Continuing 
Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 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.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2010-28R1, dated June 12, 
2012, and the service information specified in paragraphs (l)(1)(i) 
and (l)(1)(ii) of this AD, for related information.
    (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-52, dated May 25, 2010.
    (ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 87-27-52, Revision A, dated 
March 5, 2012.
    (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 November 21, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-29171 Filed 12-3-12; 8:45 am]
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