[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 72 (Friday, April 13, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16015-16017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07631]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0275; Product Identifier 2018-NM-011-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain 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. This proposed 
AD was prompted by reports indicating that corrosion was found on the 
main landing gear (MLG) retraction actuator brackets and their 
associated pins. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the 
retraction actuator brackets, their associated pins and hardware, and 
the mating lugs on the MLG outer cylinder for any corrosion, and 
replacement if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 29, 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., 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 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-
0275; 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: Dorie Resnik, Aerospace Engineer, 
Aviation Safety Section AIR-7B1, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District 
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone 781-238-7693.

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-2018-0275; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-011-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.

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2017-34, dated October 19, 2017 (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) 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 in-service reports of corrosion on the main 
landing gear (MLG) retraction actuator bracket and its associated 
pins. Bombardier's investigation determined that the corrosion is 
the consequence of inadequate corrosion protection being applied 
during production. Undetected corrosion on the MLG retraction 
actuator bracket and its associated pins could result in a MLG 
collapse.
    This [Canadian] AD mandates the inspection of the MLG retraction 
actuator bracket, its associated pins and hardware, and the mating 
lugs on the MLG outer cylinder for corrosion. This [Canadian] AD 
also mandates the replacement of corroded MLG parts and the 
application of corrosion protection in order to mitigate the risk of 
MLG collapse.

    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-
0275.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 670BA-32-060, Revision B, 
dated November 10, 2017. The service information describes a detailed 
visual inspection of the retraction actuator brackets, their associated 
pins and hardware, and the mating lugs on the MLG outer cylinder for 
any corrosion, 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.

[[Page 16016]]

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 541 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection............................  16 work-hours x $85 per               $0          $1,360        $735,760
                                         hour = $1,360.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                      Labor cost            Parts cost               Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement.......................  1 work-hour x $85 per  Up to $75,790.......  Up to $75,875.
                                     hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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):

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2018-0275; Product Identifier 2018-
NM-011-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 29, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model airplanes, 
certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1), 
(c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) 
airplanes, serial numbers 10002 and subsequent.
    (2) Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes and 
Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, serial 
numbers 15001 and subsequent.
    (3) Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes, 
serial numbers 19001 and subsequent.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports indicating that corrosion was 
found on the main landing gear (MLG) retraction actuator brackets 
and their associated pins. We are issuing this AD to address 
undetected corrosion on the MLG retraction actuator brackets and 
their associated pins, which could lead to a MLG collapse.

[[Page 16017]]

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection and Replacement

    For any MLG dressed shock strut assembly with part numbers and 
serial numbers specified in paragraph 1.A., ``Effectivity,'' of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-32-060, Revision B, dated November 
10, 2017, at the applicable compliance times specified in paragraphs 
(g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD, do a detailed visual 
inspection of the retraction actuator brackets, their associated 
pins and hardware, and the mating lugs on the MLG outer cylinder for 
any corrosion, and do all applicable replacements, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 
670BA-32-060, Revision B, dated November 10, 2017. Do all applicable 
replacements before further flight.
    (1) For any MLG dressed shock strut assembly that has 
accumulated less than 10,000 total flight hours on the MLG dressed 
shock strut assembly and has been in service for less than 60 months 
since its first installation on an airplane: Within 6,600 flight 
hours or 39 months, whichever occurs first, after the effective date 
of this AD.
    (2) For any MLG dressed shock strut assembly that has 
accumulated less than or equal to 14,000 total flight hours on the 
MLG dressed shock strut assembly, and has been in service for less 
than 84 months since its first installation on an airplane, and does 
not meet the criteria in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD: Within 4,400 
flight hours or 26 months, whichever occurs first, after the 
effective date of this AD, but not to exceed 16,600 total flight 
hours on the MLG dressed shock strut assembly or 99 months since its 
first installation on an airplane, whichever occurs first.
    (3) For any MLG dressed shock strut assembly that has 
accumulated more than 14,000 total flight hours on the MLG dressed 
shock strut assembly or 84 months or more since its first 
installation on an airplane: Within 2,600 flight hours or 15 months, 
whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this AD.

(h) Parts Exempted From This AD

    For any MLG dressed shock strut assembly with part numbers and 
serial numbers specified in paragraph 1.A., ``Effectivity,'' of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-32-060, Revision B, dated November 
10, 2017: The actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD are not 
required provided that the actions in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), or 
(h)(3) of this AD have been done.
    (1) The actions in paragraphs (h)(1)(i), (h)(1)(ii), 
(h)(1)(iii), and (h)(1)(iv) of this AD, as applicable, have been 
done on the MLG dressed shock strut assembly since its entry-into-
service date.
    (i) Airplane maintenance manual (AMM) Task 32-32-05-400-803, 
Installation of the Outboard MLG Retraction Actuator Bracket Pin, or 
equivalent task in component maintenance manual (CMM) 32-11-05 (for 
Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes), 
or CMM 32-11-06 (for Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) 
airplanes and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) 
airplanes), or CMM 32-11-34 (for Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet 
Series 1000) airplanes); and
    (ii) AMM Task 32-32-05-400-804, Installation of the Inboard MLG 
Retraction-Actuator Bracket Pin, or equivalent task in CMM 32-11-05 
(for Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) 
airplanes), or CMM 32-11-06 (for Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet 
Series 705) airplanes and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 
900) airplanes), or CMM 32-11-34 (for Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional 
Jet Series 1000) airplanes); and
    (iii) AMM Task 32-32-05-400-805, Installation of the Inboard-MLG 
Retraction-Actuator Pin, or AMM Task 32-32-05-400-801, Installation 
of the MLG Retraction-Actuator, or AMM Task 32-11-05-400-801, 
Installation of the MLG Shock-Strut Assembly; and
    (iv) For Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) 
airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, 
and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes equipped 
with MLG auxiliary actuators: AMM Task 32-32-03-400-801, 
Installation of the MLG Auxiliary Actuator, or AMM Task 32-11-05-
400-801, Installation of the MLG Shock-Strut Assembly.
    (2) AMM Task 32-32-05-400-806, Installation of the MLG 
Retraction-Actuator Bracket has been accomplished on the MLG dressed 
shock strut assembly since its entry-into-service date.
    (3) AMM-Tasks 32-11-00-610-801 Restoration (Overhaul) of the MLG 
Assembly has been accomplished since its entry into service date.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-32-060, 
dated May 2, 2017, or Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-32-060, 
Revision A, dated June 22, 2017.

(j) 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 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2017-34, dated October 
19, 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-2018-0275.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Dorie Resnik, 
Aerospace Engineer, Aviation Safety Section AIR-7B1, Boston ACO 
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; telephone 
781-238-7693.
    (3) For information about AMOCs, contact Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace 
Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Section, FAA, New York ACO 
Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 516-228-7329; fax 516-794-5531.
    (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; 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 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 Des Moines, Washington, on March 29, 2018.
Chris Spangenberg,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-07631 Filed 4-12-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P