[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 84 (Monday, May 2, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26176-26178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10116]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6148; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-154-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-8-400 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a malfunctioning No. 2 engine intake heater 
with corrosion on the thermostats and the fuselage skin where the 
thermostats made contact with the aircraft fuselage skin. This proposed 
AD would require a general visual inspection for corrosion of the 
thermostats' mounting surfaces and fuselage skin surface, corrective 
actions if necessary, and relocating the existing thermostats. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent corrosion within the thermostats that may 
cause the switch mechanism to seize in the open position and prevent 
the activation of the associated engine air intake heater. An inactive 
engine air intake heater could lead to an engine failure.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 16, 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: 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 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-
6148; 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-2016-6148; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-154-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 AD CF-2015-24, dated August 
24, 2015 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    A malfunctioning Engine Air Intake Heater has been discovered 
with corrosion on the thermostats and the aeroplane skin where the 
thermostats are installed. The two thermostats are installed 
directly under the flight compartment floor along the aeroplane 
centre line where moisture accumulation and/or migration may occur, 
which can cause corrosion of the thermostats. Corrosion within the 
thermostats may seize the switch mechanism open, preventing the 
activation of the associated Engine Air Intake Heater. Failure of 
the Engine Air Intake Heater to activate may pose a safety risk to 
the aeroplane in icing conditions.
    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin (SB) 84-30-10 to inspect, 
replace if required and relocate the thermostat assembly to rectify 
this problem. [An inactive engine air intake heater could lead to an 
engine failure.]

    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-
6148.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, 
Revision E, dated October 10, 2014. The service information describes 
procedures for a general visual inspection for corrosion of the 
thermostats' mounting surfaces and fuselage skin surface, corrective 
actions if necessary, and relocating the existing thermostats from a 
lower position on the aircraft skin at X-54.00 between stringers 31P 
and 32P (next to the centerline) to a higher position at X-54.00 
between stringers 26P and 27P. 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 76 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 12 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of

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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 $77,520, or $1,020 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):


Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2016-6148; Directorate Identifier 
2015-NM-154-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 16, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -
402 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 4001 
through 4184 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 30, Ice and rain 
protection.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a malfunctioning No. 2 engine intake 
heater with corrosion on the thermostats and the fuselage skin where 
the thermostats made contact with the aircraft fuselage skin. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent corrosion within the thermostats that may 
cause the switch mechanism to seize in the open position and prevent 
the activation of the associated engine air intake heater. An 
inactive engine air intake heater could lead to an engine failure.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection of the Thermostats and Replacement

    Within 2,000 flight hours or 12 months, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual inspection 
of the thermostats' exterior for any signs of corrosion, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision E, dated October 10, 2014. If 
any thermostat is corroded, replace the thermostat before further 
flight in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision E, dated October 10, 
2014.

(h) Inspection of the Fuselage Skin Surface and Corrective Action

    Within 2,000 flight hours or 12 months, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual inspection 
of the fuselage skin surface for skin corrosion, and modify the 
engine air intake heater thermostat installation, in accordance with 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision E, dated October 10, 
2014.
    (1) If the skin corrosion is 0.001 inch deep or less, before 
further flight remove the corrosion and treat bare metal in 
accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision E, 
dated October 10, 2014.
    (2) If the skin corrosion is greater than 0.001 inch deep, 
before further flight, repair using a method approved by the 
Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil 
Aviation (TCCA); or Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval 
Organization (DAO).

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD using the service information 
identified in paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(5) of this AD. This 
service information is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (1) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, dated September 07, 
2007, provided that the thermostat location label is replaced in 
accordance with the accomplishment instruction of Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision E, dated October 10, 2014, within the 
compliance times specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (2) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision A, dated 
April 07, 2008.
    (3) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision B, dated 
January 20, 2010.
    (4) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision C, dated July 
14, 2011.
    (5) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision D, dated 
December 20, 2011.

(j) 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: Assata 
Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Services Branch, ANE 
172, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone: 516-228-7301; fax: 516-794-5531. 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, New York ACO, 
ANE-170, Engine and Propeller Directorate, FAA; or Transport Canada 
Civil Aviation (TCCA); or Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval

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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 AD CF-2015-24, dated August 24, 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-2016-6148.
    (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 April 20, 2016.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-10116 Filed 4-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P