[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 21, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28266-28269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12798]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0562; Directorate Identifier 2017-NM-027-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-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 
701, & 702), Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), Model CL-600-
2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet 
Series 1000) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that 
a number of rubber bull gear (RBG) wheels installed in the horizontal 
stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA) were manufactured using an incorrect 
material specification. This proposed AD would require replacement of 
the affected RBG wheels. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 7, 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; Widebody Customer Response Center North

[[Page 28267]]

America toll-free telephone 1-866-538-1247 or direct-dial telephone 1-
514-855-2999; 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-
0562; 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: Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 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-2017-0562; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NM-027-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-
2016-22, dated June 24, 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-600-2C10 
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet 
Series 705), Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and Model CL-
600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. The MCAI states:

    An inspection by the vendor revealed that a number of Rubber 
Bull Gear (RBG) Wheels installed in the Horizontal Stabilizer Trim 
Actuator (HSTA) of the CL-600-2C10, CL-600-2D15, CL-600-2D24 and CL-
600-2E25 aeroplanes were manufactured from the incorrect material 
specification. The use of the incorrect material specification has a 
direct impact on the RBG Wheels life limit. The teeth of these non-
conforming RBG Wheels may experience premature wear out and if not 
corrected, this condition could result in difficulties in 
maneuvering the aeroplane.
    This [Canadian] AD mandates replacement of the RBGs whose wheels 
have been made using an incorrect material specification.

    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-
0562.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-072, Revision A, 
dated October 26, 2016. This service information describes procedures 
for identification of affected HSTAs, and replacement if necessary. 
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 544 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                Cost on  U.S.
            Action                   Labor cost         Parts cost      Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection and Replacement...  Up to 20 work-hours x           (\1\)  Up to $1700.........  Up to $924,800.
                                $85 per hour = $1700.
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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.

    According to the manufacturer, some 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 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

[[Page 28268]]

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-2017-0562; Directorate Identifier 
2017-NM-027-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 7, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Bombardier, Inc., airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any 
category, equipped with horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA) 
part number 8489-7 or 8489-7R.
    (1) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) 
airplanes.
    (2) Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes.
    (3) Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes.
    (4) Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that a number of rubber bull 
gear (RBG) wheels installed in the HSTA were manufactured using an 
incorrect material specification. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
premature wear-out of the teeth of the RBG wheels, which could cause 
difficulties in maneuvering the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Serial Number Verification

    Within 600 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect to determine whether the serial number (S/N) of the 
installed HSTA is listed in paragraph 1.A, ``Effectivity,'' of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-072, Revision A, dated October 
26, 2016. If the S/N of the installed HSTA is not listed in 
paragraph 1.A, ``Effectivity,'' of Bombardier Service Bulletin 
670BA-27-072, Revision A, dated October 26, 2016, no further action 
is required by this AD, except as required by paragraph (j) of this 
AD. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu 
of this inspection if the part number of the HSTA can be 
conclusively determined from that review.

(h) Replacement

    For any HSTA with a S/N listed in paragraph 1.A, 
``Effectivity,'' of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-072, 
Revision A, dated October 26, 2016: Within the compliance times 
specified in figure 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD, as applicable, 
replace the affected HSTA, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-072, Revision 
A, dated October 26, 2016.

     Figure 1 to Paragraph (h) of This AD--Compliance Time Criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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For HSTAs with S/N suffix A or with no       Within 3600 FC accumulated
 suffix, that have accumulated 10,000         on the unit from the
 flight cycles (FC) or fewer.                 effective date of this AD.
For HSTAs with S/N suffix A or with no       Within 1800 FC accumulated
 suffix, that have accumulated more than      on the unit from the
 10,000 FC.                                   effective date of this AD.
For HSTAs with S/N suffix B or AB, that      Within 3600 FC accumulated
 have accumulated 10,000 FC or fewer since    on the unit from the
 the incorporation of Bombardier Service      effective date of this AD.
 Bulletin 670BA-27-058.
For HSTAs with S/N suffix B or AB, that      Within 1800 FC accumulated
 have accumulated more than 10,000 FC since   on the unit from the
 the incorporation of Bombardier Service      effective date of this AD.
 Bulletin 670BA-27-058.
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(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 Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 670BA-27-072, dated April 26, 2016.

(j) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on 
any airplane, an HSTA having part number 8489-7 or 8489-7R, with a 
S/N listed in paragraph 1.A, ``Effectivity,'' of Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 670BA-27-072, Revision A, dated October 26, 2016, unless 
the S/N has a suffix ``C'' marked on the identification plate 
adjacent to the S/N.

(k) 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 manager of the ACO, send it to 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 Design Approval Organization (DAO). If 
approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized 
signature.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2016-22, dated June 24, 
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-2017-0562.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Aziz Ahmed, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, 
FAA, New York ACO, 1600

[[Page 28269]]

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; Widebody Customer Response Center 
North America toll-free telephone 1-866-538-1247 or direct-dial 
telephone 1-514-855-2999; 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 June 12, 2017.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-12798 Filed 6-20-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P