[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 218 (Thursday, November 12, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69898-69899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28560]



[[Page 69898]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-4809; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-012-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly 
Known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) 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 Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (formerly known as Construcciones 
Aeronauticas, S.A.) Model CN-235-200 and CN-235-300 airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports of false engine fire warning 
events, which consequently led to engine in-flight shut down. This 
proposed AD would require modification of the location and routing of 
the engine fire detection system. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
unnecessary engine in-flight shut down, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 28, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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 
EADS-CASA, Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTAD), Integrated 
Customer Services (ICS), Technical Services, Avenida de Arag[oacute]n 
404, 28022 Madrid, Spain; telephone +34 91 585 55 84; fax +34 91 585 55 
05; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.eads.net. 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-2015-
4809; 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 
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: Shahram Daneshmandi, Aerospace 
Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
telephone 425-227-1112; fax 425-227-1149.

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-2015-4809; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-012-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

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2015-0011, dated January 20, 2015 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Defense and 
Space S.A. (formerly known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) Model 
CN-235-200 and CN-235-300 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Several cases of false engine fire warning events were reported, 
which consequently led to engine in-flight shut down (IFSD) executed 
by the flightcrew using the appropriate emergency procedures. 
Subsequent investigation determined that these false engine fire 
warnings were the result of insufficient insulation capability of 
the engine fire detection system. This allowed penetration of 
moisture into the fire detector connectors, reducing the insulation 
resistance between the inner electrode and connector housing below 
the required values.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to further cases of 
unnecessary engine IFSD, possibly resulting in reduced control of 
the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, EADS-CASA issued 
Service Bulletin (SB) SB235-26-0006 providing modification 
instructions.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
modification of the location and routing of the engine fire 
detection system.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
4809.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EADS CASA has issued Service Bulletin SB-235-26-0006, dated July 8, 
2014. The service information describes procedures for modifying the 
engine fire detection system. 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 NPRM.

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 these 
same type designs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 24 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 75 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required

[[Page 69899]]

parts would cost about $1,577 per product. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $190,848, 
or $7,952 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 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):

Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (formerly known as Construcciones 
Aeronauticas, S.A.): Docket No. FAA-2015-4809; Directorate 
Identifier 2015-NM-012-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 28, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (formerly 
known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) Model CN-235-200 and CN-
235-300 airplanes, certificated in any category, manufacturer serial 
numbers C-018 through C-211 inclusive.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of false engine fire warning 
events, which consequently led to engine in-flight shut down. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent unnecessary in-flight-shutdown of an 
engine, which could result in reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Modification of Engine Fire Extinguishing/Detection System

    Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the 
location and routing of the engine fire detection system, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EADS CASA Service 
Bulletin SB-235-26-0006, dated July 8, 2014.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 International Branch, send it to ATTN: Shahram 
Daneshmandi, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1112; fax 425-227-1149. Information 
may be emailed to: [email protected]. 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, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or EADS CASA's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2015-0011, dated January 20, 
2015, 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 Docket No. FAA-2015-4809.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact EADS-
CASA, Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTAD), Integrated 
Customer Services (ICS), Technical Services, Avenida de 
Arag[oacute]n 404, 28022 Madrid, Spain; telephone +34 91 585 55 84; 
fax +34 91 585 55 05; email [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.eads.net.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 October 30, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-28560 Filed 11-10-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P