[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 110 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26352-26354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11827]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1175; Product Identifier 2017-NM-087-AD; Amendment 
39-19300; AD 2018-11-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) 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. This AD was prompted by 
a report that Belleville washers installed on the shimmy damper of the 
main landing gear (MLG) may fail due to fatigue. This AD requires 
revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate a repetitive task specified in the maintenance review board 
(MRB) report. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 12, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 12, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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 referenced 
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. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2017-1175.

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-
1175; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone 
800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7318; 
fax 516-794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply 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. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on January 2, 2018 (83 FR 83) (``the NPRM'').
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2017-14, dated April 
21, 2017 (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:

    It has been found that Belleville washers installed on the Main 
Landing Gear (MLG) Shimmy Damper may fail in fatigue. A failed 
washer segment migrating into the piston cavity may interfere with 
piston travel. As a result, shimmy damper performance would be 
compromised, MLG shimmy could occur and potentially lead to a MLG 
failure.
    As a result of this investigation, a restoration task has been 
added for Belleville washers' replacement at 20,000 flight cycles, 
during MLG overhaul. For aeroplanes that have passed the 20,000 
flight cycle threshold, a phase-in period is defined.
    This [Canadian] AD is issued to mandate the Maintenance Review 
Board (MRB)

[[Page 26353]]

revised task for the affected aeroplanes models.

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-
1175.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to that comment.

Request to the Contact Manufacturer for Service Information

    Bombardier stated that task number 320100-229, Restoration 
(Belleville Washer Replacement) of the MLG Shimmy Damper, of the MRB 
Report of the Bombardier CRJ700/900/1000 Maintenance Requirements 
Manual (MRM)--Part 1, Volume 1, CSP B-053, Revision 17, dated June 25, 
2017, is currently specified in paragraph (g) of the proposed AD. 
Bombardier commented that it is planning to issue Revision 18 of the 
service information by June 25, 2018. Bombardier stated to contact 
Bombardier for the latest service information should the AD be 
published after June 25, 2018.
    We expect to issue this AD prior to the anticipated date of release 
of new service information, and we do not agree to delay issuance of 
this AD until new service information is released. However, if new 
service information is released after this AD is issued, operators may 
request approval of an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) under 
the provisions of paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. We have not changed this 
AD regarding this issue.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier has issued MRB report task number 320100-229, 
Restoration (Belleville Washer Replacement) of the MLG Shimmy Damper, 
of the MRB Report of the Bombardier CRJ700/900/1000 Maintenance 
Requirements Manual (MRM)--Part 1, Volume 1, CSP B-053, Revision 17, 
dated June 25, 2017. This service information describes the restoration 
(Belleville Washer Replacement) of the MLG shimmy damper. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 544 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
    We have determined that revising the maintenance or inspection 
program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although we 
recognize that this number may vary from operator to operator. In the 
past, we have estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per 
airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program 
changes for their affected fleet(s), we have determined that a per-
operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. 
Therefore, we estimate the total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 
work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

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 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 AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
    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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2018-11-12 Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes: Amendment 39-19300; Docket 
No. FAA-2017-1175; Product Identifier 2017-NM-087-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 12, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD 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, certificated in any category.

[[Page 26354]]

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating that Belleville 
washers installed on the shimmy damper of the main landing gear 
(MLG) may fail due to fatigue. We are issuing this AD to prevent a 
failed washer segment migrating into the piston cavity and 
interfering with piston travel. As a result, the shimmy damper 
performance could be compromised, and an MLG shimmy could occur, 
potentially leading to an MLG failure and affecting the airplane's 
safe flight and landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
airplane maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by 
incorporating maintenance review board (MRB) report task number 
320100-229, Restoration (Belleville Washer Replacement) of the MLG 
Shimmy Damper, of the MRB Report of the Bombardier CRJ700/900/1000 
Maintenance Requirements Manual (MRM)--Part 1, Volume 1, CSP B-053, 
Revision 17, dated June 25, 2017. The initial compliance time for 
MRB report task number 320100-229 is specified in paragraphs (g)(1) 
and (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For any shimmy damper with 20,000 total accumulated flight 
cycles or fewer as of the effective date of this AD, the initial 
compliance time is before the accumulation of 26,000 total flight 
cycles.
    (2) For any shimmy damper with 20,000 total accumulated flight 
cycles or more as of the effective date of this AD, the initial 
compliance time is specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (g)(2)(ii), 
whichever occurs later.
    (i) Within 6,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD, but prior to the accumulation of 30,000 total flight cycles.
    (ii) Within 30 days after effective date of this AD.

(h) 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 Temporary Revision MRB-0070, dated 
October 20, 2015.

(i) No Alternative Actions and/or Intervals

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

(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-2017-14, dated April 21, 
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-2017-1175.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Cesar Gomez, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Section, FAA, 
New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7318; fax 516-794-5531.
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (l)(3) and (l)(4) of this AD.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Maintenance review board (MRB) report task number 320100-
229, Restoration (Belleville Washer Replacement) of the MLG Shimmy 
Damper, of the MRB Report of the Bombardier CRJ700/900/1000 
Maintenance Requirements Manual (MRM)--Part 1, Volume 1, CSP B-053, 
Revision 17, dated June 25, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (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.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on May 21, 2018.
James Cashdollar,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-11827 Filed 6-6-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P