[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 72 (Thursday, April 14, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22037-22039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08533]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5590; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-018-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 CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 
440), CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), CL-600-2D15 
(Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and 
CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by reports of undesirable changes in the Reference Airspeed 
(RAS) Bug, occurring during flight without pilot input. This proposed 
AD would require replacing the flight control computer (FCC). We are 
proposing this AD to prevent uncommanded pitch changes, which could 
result in deviation from a safe flight path.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 31, 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., 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-2016-
5590; 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: Assata Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer, 
Avionics and Services Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 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-2016-5590; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-018-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-
2016-02,

[[Page 22038]]

dated January 20, 2016 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 
(Regional Jet Series 100 & 440), CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 
701, & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 
(Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    There have been numerous reports of uncommanded changes in the 
Reference Airspeed (RAS) Bug during flight. When the Auto Flight 
Control System (AFCS) is in a speed mode (CLB, DES, IAS or MACH), 
the flight director will show vertical guidance to achieve or 
maintain the reference airspeed. If the autopilot is engaged, the 
aeroplane will automatically follow that vertical guidance and cause 
the aeroplane to pitch up or pitch down. Investigation revealed that 
this uncommanded reference airspeed changes were caused by the FCC 
that did not correctly read the input data from the Input/Output 
Concentrator. If not corrected, these uncommanded pitch changes 
could create hazard for continued safe flight. This [Canadian] AD 
mandates installation of a new filter to the Input/Output Circuit 
Card in the FCC.

    Uncommanded pitch changes, if not corrected, could result in 
deviation from a safe flight path. Corrective actions include replacing 
the FCC. 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-2016-5590.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-22-018, Revision A, 
dated November 3, 2015; and Service Bulletin 670BA-22-009, dated August 
7, 2015. The service information describes procedures for replacing the 
FCCs. 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 1,008 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace FCC.........................  3 work-hours x $85 per           $2,800           $3,055       $3,079,440
                                       hour = $255 per
                                       airplane.
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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):

Bombardier Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2016-5590; Directorate Identifier 
2016-NM-018-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 31, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional 
Jet Series 100 & 440), CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 
702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional 
Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) 
airplanes, certificated in any category, all serial numbers, that 
are equipped with a flight control computer (FCC) with a part number 
and serial number listed in paragraph 1A., Effectivity, of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-22-018, Revision A, dated November 
3, 2015; or Service Bulletin 670BA-22-009, dated August 17, 2015.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 22, Auto Flight.

[[Page 22039]]

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of undesirable changes in the 
Reference Airspeed (RAS) bug, occurring during flight without pilot 
input. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded pitch changes, 
which could result in deviation from a safe flight path.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replace the FCC for Certain Airplanes

    Within 33 months after the effective date of this AD: Remove the 
FCC from the integrated avionic processor system (IAPS) and replace 
the FCC in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
applicable service information in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this 
AD:
    (1) Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-22-018, Revision A, dated 
November 3, 2015; or
    (2) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-22-009, dated August 17, 
2015.

(h) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of 12 months after the effective date of this AD, no person 
may install any FCC having a part or serial number identified in 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-22-018, Revision A, dated November 
3, 2015; or Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-22-009, dated August 
17, 2015, unless ``SB 50'' is marked on the FCC modification chart 
(MOD chart).

(i) 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 SB 601R-22-018, 
dated August 17, 2015.

(j) 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 New York 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2016-02, dated January 
20, 2016, 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-2016-5590.
    (2) 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 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 April 5, 2016.
Suzanne Masterson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-08533 Filed 4-13-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P