[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 96 (Friday, May 19, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22913-22915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10133]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0481; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-196-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 BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This proposed AD 
was prompted by reports of low clearance in the aft equipment bay 
between auxiliary power unit (APU) generator power cables and a 
hydraulic line, which can cause damage to wire insulation. This 
proposed AD would require an inspection of the APU generator power 
cables and the adjacent hydraulic line for damage, and repair, if 
necessary; and modification of the APU generator power cable 
installation. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 3, 2017.

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-2017-
0481; 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

[[Page 22914]]

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-2017-0481; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-196-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-
2016-28, dated September 28, 2016 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-
1A10 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Low clearance between the APU generator power cables and a 
hydraulic return line was found in the Aft Equipment Bay (AEB) on 
some aeroplanes in service. Absence of clearance can cause damage to 
the insulation of the wire, which can lead to a fault in the APU 
electrical system or arcing with the metallic hydraulic return line 
and could cause a fire in the AEB.
    This [Canadian] AD is issued to mandate an [general visual] 
inspection [for damage] of the APU generator power cables and the 
hydraulic return line, [and repair, if necessary] and a modification 
of the clamp arrangement to give sufficient clearance between the 
power cables and the hydraulic return line.

    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-2017-
0481.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-24-28, dated July 27, 
2016, and Bombardier Service Bulletin 350-24-003, dated July 27, 2016. 
The service information describes procedures for the inspection of the 
APU generator power cables and the adjacent hydraulic line for damage, 
and repair, if necessary; and modification of the APU generator power 
cable installation. These documents are distinct since they apply to 
different configurations of this model. 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 162 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect and modify cables.........  1 work-hour x $85 per               (\1\)              $85          $13,770
                                     hour = $85.
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\1\ We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the parts cost
  associated with the modification specified in this proposed AD.

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs that 
would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. We 
have no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need 
these repairs:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                  Action                                Labor cost                 Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair....................................  Up to 5 work-hours x $85 per hour            (\1\)             $425
                                             = $425.
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\1\ We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the parts cost
  associated with the repair specified in this proposed AD.

    According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this proposed 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.

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

[[Page 22915]]

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-2017-0481; Directorate Identifier 
2016-NM-196-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 3, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 20003 
through 20635 inclusive.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of low clearance in the aft 
equipment bay between auxiliary power unit (APU) generator power 
cables and a hydraulic line, which can cause damage to wire 
insulation. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical arcing from 
power cables, which could cause a fire in the aft equipment bay.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection of APU Generator Power Cables and Hydraulic Line, 
Repairs, and Modification

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
applicable actions required by paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this 
AD.
    (1) For airplanes having serial numbers 20003 through 20500 
inclusive: Do a general visual inspection of the APU generator power 
cables and the adjacent hydraulic line for damage, and do all 
applicable repairs; and modify the APU generator power cable 
installation; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-24-28, dated July 27, 2016, except 
as required by paragraph (h) of this AD. Do all applicable repairs 
before further flight.
    (2) For airplanes having serial numbers 20501 through 20635 
inclusive: Do a general visual inspection of the APU generator power 
cables and the adjacent hydraulic line for damage, and do all 
applicable repairs; and modify the APU generator power cable 
installation; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 350-24-003, dated July 27, 2016, except 
as required by paragraph (h) of this AD. Do all applicable repairs 
before further flight.

(h) Exception to the Service Information

    Where Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-24-28, dated July 27, 
2016, and Bombardier Service Bulletin 350-24-003, dated July 27, 
2016, specify to contact the manufacturer for repair, before further 
flight, repair 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).

(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 manager of 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.
    (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 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-2016-28, dated September 
28, 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-2017-0481.
    (2) For more information about this AD, 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.
    (3) 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 May 12, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-10133 Filed 5-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P