[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 161 (Thursday, August 20, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50556-50558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20366]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0492; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-232-AD; 
Amendment 39-18237; AD 2015-17-04]
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 certain 
Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 
702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional 
Jet Series 900) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of a 
disconnect between the elevator lever and control rod. This AD requires 
replacement of left and right fixed control rods and lever assemblies 
of the elevator control system. We are issuing this AD to prevent a 
disconnect between the elevator lever and control rod, which could lead 
to un-commanded elevator movement of the associated control surface, a 
large difference between the position of the left and the right 
elevator control surfaces, and consequent reduced controllability of 
the airplane and degradation of the structural integrity of the 
horizontal stabilizer.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 24, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
24, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2015-0492; or in person at the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
    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. 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. It 
is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0492.

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, 
NY 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 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Bombardier, Inc. 
Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), CL-600-2D15 
(Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) 
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 24, 2015 
(80 FR 15528).
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2014-44, dated December 9, 2014 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-
2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet 
Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. The 
MCAI states:

    During an engineering review of the Elevator Control system, it 
was discovered that a disconnect between the elevator lever and 
control rod could lead to uncommanded elevator movement of the 
associated control surface. This uncommanded movement may cause a 
large difference between the position of the left and the right 
elevator control surface resulting in reduced controllability of the 
aeroplane and degradation of the structural integrity of the 
horizontal stabilizer.
    This [Canadian] AD mandates the replacement of the existing 
elevator lever assemblies and control rods with newly designed ones, 
which will prevent a disconnect between the components of the 
elevator control system should a failure occur.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-0492-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The

[[Page 50557]]

following presents the comments received on the NPRM (80 FR 15528, 
March 24, 2015), and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Include Latest Revision of the Service Information in This 
AD

    SkyWest Airlines and Mesa Airlines Inc. requested that we include 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-062, Revision C, dated February 
13, 2015, in paragraph (g) of this AD. Both commenters also requested 
that we revise paragraph (h) of this AD to include credit for actions 
performed before the effective date of this AD using Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 670BA-27-062, Revision B, dated October 10, 2014. SkyWest 
Airlines indicated that Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-062, 
Revision C, dated February 13, 2015, includes changes to some steps and 
addition of others that deal with the rigging pins P2 and P3. SkyWest 
Airlines pointed out that Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-062, 
Revision C, dated February 13, 2015, also makes a change to Sheet 1 of 
1 of Figure 4, which consists of adding part numbers to the item 
descriptions.
    We agree with the request to include Bombardier Service Bulletin 
670BA-27-062, Revision C, dated February 13, 2015, in paragraph (g) of 
this AD and revise paragraph (h) of this AD to include credit for 
actions performed before the effective date of this AD using Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 670BA-27-062, Revision B, dated October 10, 2014. 
Although some steps have changed, the procedures remain the same in 
both revisions of the service information. We have revised paragraphs 
(g) and (h) of this AD accordingly.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (80 FR 15528, March 24, 2015) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 15528, March 24, 2015).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued Service Bulletin 670BA-27-062, Revision 
C, dated February 13, 2015. The service information describes 
procedures for replacing the elevator lever assemblies and control 
rods. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this 
AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 400 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 14 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $6,712 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $3,160,800, or $7,902 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 that this AD:
    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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2015-0492; 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 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.

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2015-17-04 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-18237. Docket No. FAA-
2015-0492; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-232-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective September 24, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes, certificated in any category, 
identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 
701, & 702) airplanes, serial numbers (S/N) 10002 through 10337 
inclusive.
    (2) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) 
and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, S/Ns 15001 
through 15298 inclusive.

[[Page 50558]]

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of a disconnect between the 
elevator lever and control rod. We are issuing this AD to prevent a 
disconnect between the elevator lever and control rod, which could 
lead to un-commanded elevator movement of the associated control 
surface, a large difference between the position of the left and the 
right elevator control surfaces, and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane and degradation of the structural 
integrity of the horizontal stabilizer.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement of Elevator Lever Assemblies and Control Rods

    Within 9,200 flight hours or 5 years, whichever occurs first, 
after the effective date of this AD: Replace the left and right 
fixed control rods and lever assemblies of the elevator control 
system with newly designed control rods and lever assemblies, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 670BA-27-062, Revision C, dated February 13, 2015.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-062, 
dated December 12, 2013; Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-062, 
Revision A, dated April 1, 2014; or Bombardier Service Bulletin 
670BA-27-062, Revision B, dated October 10, 2014. This service 
information is not incorporated by reference in 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO, 
ANE-170, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or 
Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO). If 
approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized 
signature.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2014-44, dated December 
9, 2014, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-0492-0002.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (k)(3) and (k)(4) of this AD.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-062, Revision C, dated 
February 13, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 10, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-20366 Filed 8-19-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P