[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37246-37248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15378]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0424; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-003-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 BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of an incorrectly assembled 
check tee fitting used in fire extinguishing (FIREEX) distribution 
lines. This proposed AD would require inspecting to determine the part 
number and for all affected check tee fittings measuring for correct 
depth, and replacing if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect 
and correct faulty check tee fittings, which will reduce fire 
extinguishing protection.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 15, 2014.

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 view this 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0424; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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 
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-2014-0424; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-003-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, which is the aviation authority 
for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2013-41, 
dated December 30, 2013 (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:


[[Page 37247]]


    A check tee fitting used in the aeroplane fire extinguishing 
(FIREEX) distribution lines, was discovered by another airframe 
manufacturer as being incorrectly assembled. A properly assembled 
check tee fitting normally contains one check ball, however the 
affected fitting contained two check balls. The FIREEX manufacturer 
advised Bombardier that this condition may be present on aeroplane 
models BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11.
    Testing has verified that incorrect installation of the 
additional check ball in the fitting reduces the flow rate of the 
extinguishing agent. There are three check tee fittings installed on 
the BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 aeroplanes, one for each engine and 
one for the auxiliary power unit. Faulty fittings will reduce fire 
extinguishing protection at the affected locations.
    Bombardier has issued several Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs) to 
identify, inspect and replace if required, all affected fittings. 
This [Canadian] AD mandates incorporation of the applicable 
Bombardier ASBs to rectify this problem.

    Required actions include inspecting to determine the part number 
and for all affected check tee fittings measuring for correct depth, 
and replacing if necessary. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0424.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued the following service bulletins. The 
actions described in this service information are intended to correct 
the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
     Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A700-1A11-26-003, dated 
April 18, 2013 (for Model BD-700-1A11 (BD-700) airplanes having S/Ns 
9127 through 9383 inclusive; 9389 through 9400 inclusive, 9404 through 
9431 inclusive, and 9998).
     Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A700-26-010, dated April 
18, 2013 (for Model BD-700-1A10 (BD-700) airplanes having S/Ns 9002 
through 9312 inclusive, 9314 through 9380 inclusive, and 9384 through 
9429 inclusive).
     Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A700-26-5002, dated 
April 18, 2013 (for Model BD-700-1A11 (BD-700) airplanes having S/Ns 
9386, 9401, and 9445 through 9498 inclusive).
     Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A700-26-6002, dated 
April 18, 2013 (for Model BD-700-1A10 (BD-700) airplanes having S/Ns 
9313, 9381, and 9432 through 9500 inclusive).

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

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 57 airplanes 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. Required parts would cost about $0 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed 
AD on U.S. operators to be $4,845, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 1 work-hour, for a cost of $85 per tee fitting. We have no 
way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this action.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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 proposed 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.

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

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2014-0424; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-003-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 15, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-
700-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 
9002 through 9500 inclusive, and 9998.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire 
Protection.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of an incorrectly assembled 
check tee fitting used in fire extinguishing (FIREEX) distribution 
lines. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct faulty check tee 
fittings, which will reduce fire extinguishing protection.

[[Page 37248]]

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Part Number Identification

    Within 100 flight hours or 180 days, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD, inspect to determine the part 
number (P/N) of the fire extinguishing (FIREEX) check tee fitting, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
service bulletin identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), or 
(g)(4) of this AD.
    (1) Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A700-1A11-26-003, dated 
April 18, 2013 (for Model BD-700-1A11 (BD-700) airplanes having S/Ns 
9127 through 9383 inclusive; 9389 through 9400 inclusive, 9404 
through 9431 inclusive, and 9998).
    (2) Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A700-26-010, dated April 
18, 2013 (for Model BD-700-1A10 (BD-700) airplanes having S/Ns 9002 
through 9312 inclusive, 9314 through 9380 inclusive, and 9384 
through 9429 inclusive).
    (3) Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A700-26-5002, dated April 
18, 2013 (for Model BD-700-1A11 (BD-700) airplanes having S/Ns 9386, 
9401, and 9445 through 9498 inclusive).
    (4) Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A700-26-6002, dated April 
18, 2013 (for Model BD-700-1A10 (BD-700) airplanes having S/Ns 9313, 
9381, and 9432 through 9500 inclusive).

(h) Measurement and Replacement

    If any inspection specified in paragraph (g) of this AD reveals 
any check tee fitting having P/N 446651 and S/N 062 through 070 
inclusive, 117 through 133 inclusive, 3728 through 3731 inclusive, 
3733 through 3760 inclusive, or 3762 through 3776 inclusive: Within 
100 flight hours or 180 days, whichever occurs first after the 
effective date of this AD, measure the depth of the inlet fitting of 
the check tee, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the applicable service bulletin identified in paragraph (g)(1), 
(g)(2), (g)(3), or (g)(4) of this AD. If the check tee depth is less 
than 1.70 inches (4.32 cm), before further flight, replace the check 
tee in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
applicable service bulletin identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), 
(g)(3), or (g)(4) 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, 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, use these actions if they 
are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if 
they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its 
delegated agent, or the DAH with a State of Design Authority's 
design organization approval, as applicable). You are required to 
ensure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2013-41, dated December 
30, 2013, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0424.
    (2) For Bombardier 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. You may view this 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 June 19, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-15378 Filed 6-30-14; 8:45 am]
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