[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21495-21497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08266]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5044; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-166-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 DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes, and 
Model DHC-8-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by a report of heat damage found on a nacelle firewall after 
an unsuccessful engine ground start and several events of heat damage 
found on direct current starter/generator terminal block assemblies. 
This proposed AD would require an inspection for damage on the nacelle 
firewalls and the terminal block assemblies and to make sure the 
insulating sleeves are installed and have no damage, and corrective 
action if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent arcing between 
the firewall and terminal blocks that are missing insulating sleeves on 
the conductive bushings, which could, in combination with a fuel or 
hydraulic fluid leak, be an ignition source for a fire.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 27, 2016.

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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, 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 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-2016-
5044; 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

[[Page 21496]]

be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Assata Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer, 
Avionics and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7301; 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-2016-5044; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-166-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 (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2014-03R1, dated July 24, 2014 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-102, -103, 
and -106 airplanes, and Model DHC-8-200 and -300 series airplanes. The 
MCAI states:

    There has been one in-service report of heat damage on a nacelle 
firewall found after an unsuccessful engine ground start. There have 
also been several reports of heat damage found on Direct Current 
Starter/Generator terminal block assemblies, part number (P/N) 
82450075-001.
    The investigation determined that in all cases, the heat damage 
was caused by arcing between the firewall and terminal blocks with 
missing insulating sleeves on the conductive bushings. The 
insulating sleeves may have been inadvertently omitted during the 
incorporation of Modsum 8/1926, or during the installation of 
terminal blocks P/N 82450075-001.
    Arcing with the firewall becomes an ignition source, creating a 
potential fire hazard when combined with a fuel or hydraulic fluid 
leak.
    The original issue of this [Canadian] AD mandated the [detailed 
visual] inspection [for damage to the nacelle firewalls and to make 
sure the insulating sleeves are installed and have no damage] and 
rectification [corrective actions such as installing or replacing 
insulating sleeves, or replacing a terminal block], as required, of 
the nacelle firewall and terminal block assembly P/N 82450075-001 
installed with Modsum 8/1926.
    Revision 1 of this [Canadian] AD is issued to revise the 
Applicability to ensure that the terminal blocks have the insulating 
sleeves installed.

    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-2016-
5044.

Relevant Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 8-24-92, Revision A, dated 
April 11, 2014. This service information describes procedures for an 
inspection for damage on the nacelle firewalls and the terminal block 
assemblies and to make sure the insulating sleeves are installed and 
have no damage, and corrective action if necessary. 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.

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 75 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $12,750, or $170 
per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $551, for a cost of 
$636 per product. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might 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.

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.

[[Page 21497]]

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-2016-5044; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-166-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 27, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in 
any category, serial numbers 003 through 672 inclusive, on which 
terminal block part number 82450075-001 is installed.
    (1) Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes.
    (2) Model DHC-8-201 and -202 airplanes.
    (3) Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -315 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical 
Power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of one event of heat damage 
found on a nacelle firewall after an unsuccessful engine ground 
start and several events of heat damage found on direct current 
starter/generator terminal block assemblies. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent arcing between the firewall and terminal blocks that are 
missing insulating sleeves on the conductive bushings, which could, 
in combination with a fuel or hydraulic fluid leak, be an ignition 
source for a fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection and Corrective Action

    Within 2,500 flight cycles or 14 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform a detailed visual 
inspection of the right-hand side and left-hand side nacelle 
firewalls and terminal block assemblies, as defined in Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 8-24-92, Revision A, dated April 11, 2014, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 8-24-92, Revision A, dated April 11, 2014.
    (1) If the inspection finds no damage on the engine firewalls 
and the terminal blocks, and that the insulating sleeves are 
installed on both terminal blocks, no further action is required by 
this AD.
    (2) If the inspection finds that no insulating sleeves are 
installed, or the existing sleeves are damaged, and there is no 
damage to the nacelle firewall and terminal block, before further 
flight, install the replacement insulating sleeves, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 
8-24-92, Revision A, dated April 11, 2014.
    (3) If the inspection finds that no insulating sleeves are 
installed, or any existing sleeve is damaged, and there is no damage 
to the nacelle firewall, but there is damage to the terminal block, 
before further flight, replace the terminal block assembly (which 
includes insulating sleeves), in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-24-92, Revision A, 
dated April 11, 2014.
    (4) If the inspection finds that no insulating sleeves are 
installed and there is damage to the nacelle firewall and the 
terminal block, repair the damage using a method approved by the 
Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, 
Engine and Propeller Directorate, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil 
Aviation (TCCA); or Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval 
Organization (DAO).

(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 8-24-92, dated 
September 25, 2013, which 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 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, Engine and Propeller Directorate, FAA; or TCCA; or 
Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA 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-2014-03R1, dated July 24, 
2014, 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-2016-5044.
    (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 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 March 26, 2016.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-08266 Filed 4-11-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P