[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 41 (Thursday, March 1, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8810-8812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04149]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0118; Product Identifier 2017-NM-083-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 reports of arcing and smoke emanating from 
the windshields. This proposed AD would require a revision to the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include an 
inspection of the windshield moisture seal for signs of cracks, 
erosion, wear, and other deterioration; doing that inspection and 
repair if necessary; and re-torqueing the windshield heater terminal 
lugs and applying sealant to the windshield heater screw heads. We are 
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 16, 2018.

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., 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 Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-
231-3195.

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-2018-
0118; 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 NPRM, 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 Administrative Services Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 
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 proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0118; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-083-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 NPRM.

[[Page 8811]]

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2017-18, dated May 26, 
2017 (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:

    There have been numerous reports of arcing and smoke emanating 
from the windshields. Review of these incidents revealed that the 
windshield heater terminal lugs tend to loosen over time. Loose 
terminal lugs could create sparks that lead to burning of the lugs 
and, due to the excessive heat, cracking of the windshields. If not 
corrected, this condition could cause a loss of cabin pressure 
resulting in an emergency descent.

    Required actions include a revision to the maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to include an inspection of the 
windshield moisture seal for signs of cracks, erosion, wear, or other 
deterioration; doing that inspection and repair if necessary; and re-
torqueing the windshield heater terminal lugs and applying sealant to 
the windshield heater screw heads. 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-2018-0118.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier, Inc., has issued Service Bulletin 84-30-16, Revision A, 
dated September 27, 2017. This service information describes procedures 
for re-torqueing the screws that fasten the windshield heater terminal 
lugs and applying sealant to the screw heads.
    Bombardier, Inc., has also issued Q400 Dash 8 Temporary Revision 
MRB-0099, dated December 9, 2016, to Part 1 of Bombardier, Inc., Q400 
Dash 8 Maintenance Requirements Manual (MRM), PSM 1-84-7. This 
temporary revision describes procedures for inspecting the moisture 
seal for the left and right windshields for signs of cracks, erosion, 
wear, and other deterioration.
    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 54 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Action                  Labor cost        Parts cost     Cost per product   Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revision/Inspection/Retorque/    Up to 4 work-hours              $0  Up to $340.......  Up to $18,360.
 Seal.                            x $85 per hour =
                                  $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
a cost estimate for the on-condition repair specified in this proposed 
AD.

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.
    This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated 
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as 
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, 
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the 
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable 
to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight 
Division.

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):


[[Page 8812]]


Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2018-0118; Product Identifier 2017-
NM-083-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 16, 2018.

(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 4524 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 30, Ice and Rain 
Protection.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of arcing and smoke emanating 
from the windshields. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
loose windshield heater terminal lugs. Loose terminal lugs could 
create sparks that lead to burning of the lugs and, due to the 
excessive heat, cracking of the windshields. If not corrected, such 
a condition could cause a loss of cabin pressure resulting in an 
emergency descent.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Revision to Inspection or Maintenance Program

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the 
task specified in Q400 Dash 8 (Bombardier) Temporary Revision (TR) 
MRB-0099, dated December 9, 2016, into Part 1 of Bombardier, Inc., 
Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance Requirements Manual (MRM), PSM 1-84-7.

(h) No Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections), intervals, may be used unless the actions and 
intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) 
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k)(1) of 
this AD.

(i) Inspection and Corrective Action

    Within 1,600 flight hours or 12 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, do a general visual inspection 
of the moisture seal on the left and right windshields for signs of 
cracks, erosion, wear, and other deterioration (including 
discoloration, warping, or missing material). If any crack, erosion, 
wear, or other deterioration is found, before further flight, repair 
the moisture seal in accordance with a method approved by the 
Manager, New York ACO Branch, 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.

    Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD: Additional guidance for 
repair of the moisture seal can be found in PPG Aerospace 
Transparencies Abbreviated Component Maintenance Manual, Part Number 
NP-157901, dated June 16, 2015.

(j) Re-Torqueing and Sealing Screws

    Within 8,000 flight hours or 60 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Re-torque the windshield heater 
terminal lug screws for the left and right windshields and apply 
Humiseal to the screw heads of the windshield heaters, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 
84-30-16, Revision A, dated September 27, 2017.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York ACO Branch, 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 certification 
office, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational 
Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 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 
Branch, FAA; or TCCA; or Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA 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 AD CF-2017-18, dated May 26, 2017, 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-2018-0118.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Assata 
Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Administrative Services 
Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 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., 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 Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th 
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 21, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-04149 Filed 2-28-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P