[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 111 (Monday, June 12, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26864-26867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11278]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0530; Directorate Identifier 2017-NM-012-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-11-
02, which applies to all Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional 
Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes; Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet 
Series 705) airplanes; Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) 
airplanes; and Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. 
AD 2016-11-02 requires repetitive inspections of the upper and lower 
engine pylons for protruding, loose, or missing fasteners; and repair 
if necessary. Since we issued AD 2016-11-02, we have determined that a 
terminating action is necessary to address the unsafe condition. This 
proposed AD would continue to require the repetitive inspections of the 
upper and lower engine pylons for protruding, loose, or missing 
fasteners; and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would also require 
replacement of affected fasteners, which terminates the inspections. We 
are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES:  We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 27, 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-
0530; 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 26865]]

be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7329; 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-2017-0530; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NM-012-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

    On May 17, 2016, we issued AD 2016-11-02, Amendment 39-18529 (81 FR 
33371, May 26, 2016) (``AD 2016-11-02''), for all Bombardier, Inc., 
Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes; 
Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes; Model CL-600-
2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes; and Model CL-600-2E25 
(Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. AD 2016-11-02 was prompted by 
reports of loose or missing fasteners on the upper and lower engine 
pylon structure common to the upper and lower pylon skin panels and 
engine thrust fitting. AD 2016-11-02 requires repetitive detailed 
visual inspections of the upper and lower engine pylons for protruding, 
loose, or missing fasteners; and repair, including applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions, if necessary. We issued AD 2016-
11-02 to detect and correct protruding, loose, or missing fasteners, 
which could result in structural failure of the engine pylons.
    Since we issued AD 2016-11-02, we have determined that a 
terminating action is necessary to address the unsafe condition. In 
addition, Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2016-10R1, dated July 8, 2016 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for all Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional 
Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes; Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet 
Series 705) airplanes; Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) 
airplanes; and Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. 
The MCAI states:

    There have been several reported findings of loose or missing 
Hi-Lite fasteners and collars on the left hand (L/H) and right hand 
(R/H) upper and lower engine pylon structure common to the upper and 
lower pylon skin panels and engine thrust fitting. Missing fasteners 
in these areas are shown to significantly reduce the safety margins 
and could result in a structural failure of the engine pylon.
    Bombardier, as an interim corrective action issued a new 
Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) task for detailed inspection of 
the engine pylon rib and skin fasteners to inspect for protruding, 
loose or missing fasteners and rectify any discrepancies noted in 
accordance with a Repair Engineering Order (REO). The original 
version of this [Canadian] AD, CF-2016-10, mandated the subject 
inspection and necessary rectification.
    Bombardier has since issued Service Bulletin (SB) 670BA-54-007 
to replace all affected fasteners with interference fit fasteners 
[including applicable related investigative and corrective actions], 
as terminating action for the mandated inspection requirement. 
[Canadian] AD CF-2016-10 is now being revised to mandate compliance 
with SB 670BA-54-007.

Related investigative actions include measurements of the attach holes 
in the engine pylon upper structure and special detailed visual 
inspections for cracks in the engine pylon structure. Corrective 
actions include repair. 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-2017-0530.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier, Inc., issued Service Bulletin 670BA-54-007, dated May 
13, 2016. The service information describes procedures for replacing 
fasteners and collars, including applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions.
    Bombardier, Inc., also issued Repair Engineering Order 670-54-51-
034, ``Repair for Missing or Loose/Protruding Fasteners in Upper and 
Lower Pylon Skins FS 1088-FS 1098, PBL 69.3 L & RHS,'' Revision A, 
dated April 20, 2016. The service information describes procedures for 
repair, including applicable related investigative and corrective 
actions.
    In addition, Bombardier, Inc., issued Temporary Revision 54-0007, 
dated March 8, 2016, to the CRJ700/900/1000 AMM. The service 
information describes procedures for a detailed visual inspection for 
protruding, loose, or missing fasteners of the left-hand and right-hand 
upper and lower engine pylons.
    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 these 
same type designs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 273 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost     Cost per  product        operators
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Inspection (retained from AD 2016- 1 work-hour x $85                $0  $85 per inspection   $23,205 per
 11-02).                            per hour = $85 per                   cycle.               inspection cycle.
                                    inspection cycle.
Replacement (new action).........  43 work-hours x $85           1,808  $5,463 per           $1,491,399 per
                                    per hour = $3,655                    inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                    per inspection
                                    cycle.
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[[Page 26866]]

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

                                               On-Condition Costs
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              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost            Cost per  product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair (retained from AD 2016-11-   Up to 32 work-hours x $85            \(1)\  Up to $2,720.
 02).                                per hour = $2,720.
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\1\ We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for the parts cost
  specified in this proposed AD for the on-condition repairs.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2016-11-02, Amendment 39-18529 (81 FR 33371, May 26, 2016), and adding 
the following new AD:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2017-0530; Directorate Identifier 
2017-NM-012-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 27, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2016-11-02, Amendment 39-18529 (81 FR 33371, 
May 26, 2016) (``AD 2016-11-02'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
through (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 
700, 701, & 702) airplanes, serial numbers (S/Ns) 10002 through 
10344, inclusive.
    (2) Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 
705) airplanes, S/Ns 15001 through 15388 inclusive, 15391, 15392, 
and 15395.
    (3) Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 
900) airplanes, S/Ns 15001 through 15388 inclusive, 15391, 15392, 
and 15395.
    (4) Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 
1000) airplanes, S/Ns 19001 through 19044 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 54, Nacelles/
Pylons.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of loose or missing fasteners 
and collars on the upper and lower engine pylon structure common to 
the upper and lower pylon skin panels and engine thrust fitting. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent protruding, loose, or missing 
fasteners, which could result in structural failure of the engine 
pylons.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Inspection, With a Reference To Terminating Action

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2016-11-02, with a reference to new terminating action. At the 
applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD: 
Do a detailed visual inspection for protruding, loose, or missing 
fasteners of the upper and lower engine pylons, in accordance with 
Bombardier Temporary Revision (TR) 54-0007, dated March 8, 2016, to 
the CRJ700/900/1000 Aircraft Maintenance Manual. Repeat the 
inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight hours. 
Accomplishment of the replacement required by paragraph (j) of this 
AD is terminating action for the inspections required by this 
paragraph.
    (1) For airplanes that have accumulated more than 840 total 
flight hours as of June 10, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-11-
02): Inspect within 660 flight hours or 3 months, whichever occurs 
first, after June 10, 2016.
    (2) For airplanes that have accumulated 840 total flight hours 
or less as of June 10, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-11-02): 
Inspect before the accumulation of 1,500 total flight hours.

(h) Retained Repair, With New Service Information

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2016-11-02, with new service information. If any protruding, loose, 
or missing fastener is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, repair, including 
applicable related investigative and corrective actions, in 
accordance with Bombardier Repair Engineering Order (REO) 670-54-51-
034, ``Repair for Missing or Loose/Protruding Fasteners in Upper and 
Lower Pylon Skins FS 1088-FS 1098, PBL 69.3 L & RHS,'' dated March 
7, 2016, or Revision A, dated April 20, 2016; except where 
Bombardier REO 670-54-51-034, ``Repair for Missing or loose/
Protruding Fasteners in Upper and Lower Pylon Skins FS 1088-FS 1098, 
PBL 69.3 L & RHS,'' dated March 7, 2016; or Revision A, dated April 
20, 2016; specifies to contact Bombardier for further instruction, 
before further flight,

[[Page 26867]]

repair using a method approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, FAA; or TCCA; or Bombardier, 
Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO). As of the effective 
date of this AD, use Bombardier REO 670-54-51-034, ``Repair for 
Missing or Loose/Protruding Fasteners in Upper and Lower Pylon Skins 
FS 1088-FS 1098, PBL 69.3 L & RHS,'' Revision A, dated April 20, 
2016, for the actions required by this paragraph.

(i) Retained Credit for Previous Actions, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates paragraph (i) of AD 2016-11-02, with no 
changes. This paragraph provides credit only for the initial 
inspection specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, if that action was 
performed before June 10, 2016 (the effective date of AD 2016-11-02) 
using Bombardier Reference Instruction Letter 4212, dated December 
23, 2015; or Bombardier Reference Instruction Letter 4212A, Revision 
A, dated January 28, 2016.

(j) New Requirements of This AD: Fastener and Collar Replacement

    Within 12,600 flight hours or 72 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Replace affected fasteners and 
collars, including doing all applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-54-007, dated May 
13, 2016. Where Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-54-007, dated May 
13, 2016, specifies to contact Bombardier for appropriate action: 
Before further flight, accomplish the applicable corrective action 
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m)(2) of 
this AD.

(k) Terminating Action for the Introductory Text to Paragraph (g) of 
This AD

    Accomplishing the replacement required by paragraph (j) of this 
AD constitutes terminating action for the inspections required by 
the introductory text to paragraph (g) of this AD.

(l) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (j) of this AD, if that action was performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Bombardier REO 670-54-51-035, 
``Permanent Repair for Clearance Fit Installed (-8) Size Fasteners 
in Upper and Lower Pylon Skins FS 1088-FS 1098, PBL 69.3 L & RHS & 
Terminating Action for GREO 670-54-51-034,'' dated April 20, 2016.

(m) 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: The 
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 Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or 
Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA DAO. If approved by the DAO, the approval 
must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(n) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian AD CF-2016-10R1, dated July 8, 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-2017-0530.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Aziz Ahmed, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, 
FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7329; 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 24, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-11278 Filed 6-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P