[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 97 (Thursday, May 19, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31497-31500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11682]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3634; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-203-AD; 
Amendment 39-18521; AD 2016-10-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-20-01 for 
certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and 
CL-604 Variants) airplanes. AD 2014-20-01 required repetitive 
inspections for any fuel leak in the right-hand landing lights 
compartment, and related investigative and corrective actions if 
necessary. AD 2014-20-01 also provides for an optional replacement of 
the connector of the fuel boost pump canister of the auxiliary power 
unit (APU), which terminates the repetitive inspections. This new AD 
requires replacing the connector of the fuel boost pump canister of the 
APU. This AD was prompted by the determination that a terminating 
action for the repetitive inspections is necessary. We are issuing this 
AD to detect and correct fuel leaks in the right-hand landing lights 
compartment, which, in combination with the heat generated by the taxi 
lights and landing lights on the ground reaching the auto-ignition 
temperature of the fuel, could result in ignition of any fuel or fumes 
present in the right-hand landing lights compartment.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 23, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 20, 
2014 (79 FR 59640, October 3, 2014).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this finale rule, 
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]. 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-2015-3634.

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-
3634; 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 Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations,

[[Page 31498]]

M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Washington, DC.

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: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2014-20-01, Amendment 39-17974 (79 FR 59640, 
October 3, 2014) (``AD 2014-20-01''). AD 2014-20-01 applied to certain 
Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 
Variants) airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
September 24, 2015 (80 FR 57543) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted 
by the determination that a terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections is necessary. The NPRM proposed to continue to require 
repetitive inspections for any fuel leak in the right-hand landing 
lights compartment, and related investigative and corrective actions. 
The NPRM also provided an optional replacement of the connector of the 
fuel boost pump canister of the APU, which terminates the repetitive 
inspections. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fuel leaks in 
the right-hand landing lights compartment, which, in combination with 
the heat generated by the taxi lights and landing lights on the ground 
reaching the auto-ignition temperature of the fuel, could result in 
ignition of any fuel or fumes present in the right-hand landing lights 
compartment.
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Emergency Airworthiness 
Directive CF-2014-21, dated July 10, 2014 (referred to after this as 
the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), 
to correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-
600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 Variants) airplanes. The 
MCAI states:

    Bombardier, Inc. has discovered fuel leakage in the auxiliary 
power unit (APU) fuel Boost Pump (BP) canister connector cavity. On 
some of those aeroplanes, leakage was also noticed at the APU fuel 
BP electrical conduit connection in the right hand landing light 
compartment. The root cause of the subject fuel leak is identified 
to be the improper length of the female connector keyway located in 
the fuel BP canister, causing a shift of the electrical harness and 
its seals.
    Available data indicates that on a hot day, due to the heat 
generated by the taxi light and/or landing lights on the ground, 
temperature in the landing light compartment can reach the fuel auto 
ignition temperature. Therefore, presence of any fuel in the right 
hand landing light compartment is considered to be a safety hazard 
[fuel or fumes present in the right-side landing lights compartment 
might ignite] that warrants mitigating action.
    In order to help mitigate the potential safety hazard 
precipitated by any fuel leakage in the right hand landing light 
compartment, Bombardier, Inc., has revised the Aircraft Flight 
Manual (AFM) through Temporary Revisions (TRs) 604/38 and 605/20 
dated 16 June 2014 to restrict the operation of Taxi and Landing 
lights on the ground. Transport Canada issued Emergency [Canadian] 
AD CF-2014-17 [(http://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/CF-2014-17), which 
corresponds to FAA AD 2014-15-17, Amendment 39-17919 (79 FR 44268, 
July 31, 2014)] to mandate incorporation of the above AFM TRs.
    To address the root cause of the subject fuel leakage from the 
APU fuel boost pump canister wiring conduit, Bombardier, Inc. issued 
Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) A605-28-008 that requires periodic 
[repetitive general visual] inspection[s] for fuel leaks and 
[applicable related investigative and corrective actions and] 
eventually the replacement of the discrepant fuel BP canister 
connectors [including related investigative and corrective actions] 
on affected aeroplanes. The ASB has been revised to include an 
additional inspection of the new connector wiring for damage and 
this [Canadian] AD is issued to mandate the compliance with ASB 
A605-28-008 Revision 2 requirements.

We also included compliance times for the terminating action. 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-
3634.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM

    Mr. James Tyron stated that he supports the actions proposed in the 
NPRM, and asserted that the time and cost of repetitively inspecting 
these airplanes will be reduced as a result.

Request To Shorten a Certain Compliance Time

    Mr. Connor McClintock requested that the connectors and wiring be 
inspected immediately instead of within 5 months or 150 flight hours 
after issuance of the AD, and those failing safety standards should 
likewise be replaced immediately to reduce further risk of an 
accidental fire. The commenter stated that the compliance times for 
replacing APU boost pump connectors, as described in paragraph (j) of 
the proposed AD, seems unnecessarily long. The commenter provided no 
technical justification for reducing this proposed compliance time.
    We disagree with changing the compliance times for replacing APU 
boost pump connectors. AD 2014-15-17 revised the Aircraft Flight Manual 
to restrict the operation of taxi and landing lights on the ground to 
reduce the chance of a fire. In addition, the compliance time for 
replacing the APU boost pump connectors was developed by the 
manufacturer in concert with TCCA and it represents an interval that, 
when combined with the mitigating actions in AD 2014-15-17, will reduce 
the risk of fire. We have not changed the AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 92 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The actions required by AD 2014-20-01 and retained in this AD take 
about 2 work-hours per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the actions 
that were required by AD 2014-20-01 is $170 per product.
    We also estimate that it takes about 22 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD on U.S. operators to be $172,040, or $1,870 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

[[Page 31499]]

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.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2014-20-01, Amendment 39-17974 (79 FR 59640, October 3, 2014), and 
adding the following new AD:

2016-10-10 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-18521. Docket No. FAA-
2015-3634; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-203-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective June 23, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2014-20-01, Amendment 39-17974 (79 FR 59640, 
October 3, 2014) (``AD 2014-20-01'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-
3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 Variants) airplanes, certificated in any 
category, serial numbers 5906, 5910, 5912, 5917, 5919 through 5932 
inclusive, 5934, 5935, 5939, 5940, 5942, and 5948.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of fuel leaks in the auxiliary 
power unit (APU) fuel boost pump canister connector cavity and in 
the right-hand landing lights compartment from the APU fuel boost 
pump electrical conduit connection, and by a determination that 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections is necessary. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct fuel leaks in the right-
hand landing lights compartment, which, in combination with the heat 
generated by the taxi lights and landing lights on the ground 
reaching the auto-ignition temperature of the fuel, could result in 
ignition of any fuel or fumes present in the right-hand landing 
lights compartment.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Repetitive Inspections for Fuel Leaks, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2014-20-01, with no changes. Within 25 flight hours after October 
20, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-20-01): Do a general visual 
inspection for any fuel leak in the right-hand landing lights 
compartment, and do all applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions, in accordance with Part A of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A605-28-008, 
Revision 02, dated July 9, 2014, except as required by paragraph (h) 
of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective 
actions before further flight. Repeat the inspection thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 8 flight hours until the replacement 
specified in paragraph (j) of this AD has been accomplished.

(h) Retained Corrective Action for Fuel Leak Found During Related 
Investigative Actions, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2014-20-01, with no changes. If any fuel leak is found during the 
related investigative actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD: 
Before further flight, do the terminating action specified in 
paragraph (j) of this AD, or do corrective actions using a method 
approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office 
(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.

(i) Retained Inspection of Connector Wiring With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 
2014-20-01, with no changes. For airplanes having new connectors 
installed, as specified in Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A605-28-008, dated April 21, 
2014: Within 6 months or 150 flight hours after October 20, 2014 
(the effective date of AD 2014-20-01), whichever occurs first, do a 
detailed inspection for damage (cuts) of the connector wiring, in 
accordance with Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A605-28-008, Revision 02, dated 
July 9, 2014. If any damage (cuts) is found on the wires, before 
further flight, replace the wire with a new wire identified in kit 
605K28-008A, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A605-28-008, Revision 02, dated 
July 9, 2014.

(j) New Requirement: Terminating Action--Replacement of Connector

    Within 6 months, or 150 flight hours, whichever occurs first, 
after the effective date of this AD, replace the connector of the 
fuel boost pump canister of the APU and do all applicable related 
investigative actions, in accordance with Part B of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 
A605-28-008, Revision 02, dated July 9, 2014. Accomplishing this 
replacement terminates the repetitive actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, provided that the following actions are done, as 
applicable.
    (1) If any damage (cuts) is found on the wires, before further 
flight, replace the wire with a new wire identified in kit 605K28-
008A, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A605-28-008, Revision 02, dated 
July 9, 2014.
    (2) If any damage is found on an O-ring, before further flight, 
replace the O-ring with a new O-ring, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin 
A605-28-008, Revision 02, dated July 9, 2014.
    (3) If any fuel leak is found, before further flight, do 
corrective actions using a method approved by the Manager, New York 
ACO, ANE-170, FAA; or TCCA; or Bombardier,

[[Page 31500]]

Inc.'s TCCA DAO. If approved by the DAO, the approval must include 
the DAO-authorized signature.

(k) Retained Credit for Previous Actions, With Revised Paragraph 
Reference

    This paragraph restates paragraph (k) of AD 2014-20-01, with a 
revised paragraph reference. This paragraph provides credit for 
actions required by paragraph (j) of this AD, if those actions were 
performed before October 20, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-20-
01), using Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A605-28-008, Revision 
01, dated May 28, 2014, which is not incorporated by reference in 
this AD.

(l) 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: As of the effective date of 
this AD, 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 TCCA; or 
Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA DAO. If approved by the DAO, the approval 
must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Emergency Airworthiness Directive CF-2014-21, dated 
July 10, 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-2015-3634.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (n)(4) and (n)(5) of this AD.

(n) 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
October 20, 2014 (79 FR 59640, October 3, 2014).
    (i) Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A605-28-008, Revision 02, 
dated July 9, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) 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].
    (5) 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.
    (6) 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 May 9, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-11682 Filed 5-18-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P