[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 69 (Monday, April 11, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21240-21242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07572]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-4809; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-012-AD; 
Amendment 39-18463; AD 2016-07-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Formerly 
Known as Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235-200 and CN-235-300 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of false engine fire warning 
events, which consequently led to engine in-flight shutdowns. This AD 
requires modification of the location and routing of the engine fire 
detection system. We are issuing this AD to prevent unnecessary engine 
in-flight shutdown, which could result in reduced controllability of 
the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 16, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 16, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: 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, 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 final rule, 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
4809.

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:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Defense and 
Space S.A. Model CN-235-200 and CN-235-300 airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on November 12, 2015 (80 FR 69898) 
(``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by reports of false engine fire 
warning events, which consequently led to engine in-flight shutdowns. 
The NPRM proposed to require modification of the location and routing 
of the engine fire detection system. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
unnecessary engine in-flight shutdown, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.
    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 Airbus 
Defense and Space 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.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

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

[[Page 21241]]

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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 24 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 75 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 $1,577 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 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 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 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 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):

2016-07-18 Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (formerly known as 
Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.): Amendment 39-18463. Docket No. 
FAA-2015-4809; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-012-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective May 16, 2016.

(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 shutdowns. 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 Airbus Defense and Space 
S.A's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the 
DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(i) Related Information

    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.

(j) 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) EADS CASA Service Bulletin SB-235-26-0006, dated July 8, 
2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact EADS-
CASA, Military

[[Page 21242]]

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.
    (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 March 24, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-07572 Filed 4-8-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P