[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 130 (Friday, July 6, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31493-31496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13925]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0553; Product Identifier 2017-NM-138-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 an airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes, 
Model DHC-8-200 series airplanes, and Model DHC-8-300 series airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of arcing and smoke emanating 
from the windshield, caused by loose or damaged windshield heater 
terminal lugs. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance 
or inspection program to incorporate maintenance review board (MRB) 
tasks for general visual inspections of the windshield moisture seal. 
This proposed AD would also require re-torqueing the windshield heater 
terminal lugs, applying a coating to the windshield heater screw heads, 
doing a chemical cleaning of the wiring and components, doing a visual 
inspection of the wiring and components, doing an operational test of 
the pilot's and co-pilot's windshield heating system, and repair if 
necessary.

[[Page 31494]]

We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 20, 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-
0553; 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-2018-0553; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-138-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 AD CF-2017-25, dated July 31, 
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-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes, 
Model DHC-8-200 series airplanes, and Model DHC-8-300 series airplanes. 
The MCAI states:

    There have been several reports of arcing and smoke emanating 
from the windshields. Investigation of these incidents revealed that 
de-icing fluid and water could enter between the windshields and 
side window posts, leading to possible damage of the windshield 
heater terminal lugs creating arcing and smoke. In addition, 
investigation also revealed that the windshield heater terminal lugs 
tend to loosen over time. Loose terminal lugs could also have a 
similar effect of arcing and smoke. Both events could lead to 
burning of the lugs and, due to the excessive heat, cracking of the 
windshields. If not corrected, these conditions could cause a loss 
of cabin pressure resulting in an emergency descent.

    Required actions include revising the maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to incorporate MRB tasks for general visual 
inspections of the windshield moisture seal (for signs of cracking, 
erosion, wear, or other damage), re-torqueing the windshield heater 
terminal lugs, applying sealant to the windshield heater screw heads, 
doing a chemical cleaning of the wiring and components, doing a general 
visual inspection of the wiring and components for signs of cracking, 
erosion, wear, or other damage, doing an operational test of the 
pilot's and co-pilot's windshield heating system, and repair if 
necessary.
    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-
0553.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 8-30-41, Revision A, dated 
March 24, 2017. This service information describes procedures for re-
torqueing the windshield heater terminal lugs and applying Humisel 
coating to the screw heads of the windshield heater, doing a chemical 
cleaning and general visual inspection of the wiring and components, 
and doing an operational test of the windshield heating system.
    Bombardier has also issued the following service information, which 
describes airworthiness limitation tasks for a general visual 
inspection of the windshield moisture seal. These documents are 
distinct since they apply to different airplane models.
     de Havilland Dash 8 Series 100 Maintenance Task Card, Task 
Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield Moisture 
Seal,'' dated August 5, 2017.
     de Havilland Dash 8 Series 200 Maintenance Task Card, Task 
Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield Moisture 
Seal,'' dated August 5, 2017.
     de Havilland Dash 8 Series 300 Maintenance Task Card, Task 
Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield Moisture 
Seal,'' dated March 15, 2017.
    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.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    The MCAI calls for revising the maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, by incorporating certain temporary revisions (TRs) into 
the Program Support Manual (PSM). This proposed AD instead calls for 
incorporating certain task cards into the

[[Page 31495]]

PSM. We have determined that these task cards address the unsafe 
condition in the same manner that the TRs would.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 63 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                           Labor cost                               Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255..............................              $0            $255         $16,065
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have also 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).
    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions 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):

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2018-0553; Product Identifier 2017-
NM-138-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 20, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-102, -103, -
106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes, certificated in any 
category, serial numbers 003 through 672 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 windshield, caused by loose or damaged windshield heater 
terminal lugs. We are issuing this AD to address loose terminal lugs 
and terminal lugs damaged due to fluid ingress between the 
windshields and side window posts, which could lead to burning of 
the lugs and cracking of the windshields, and could ultimately 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) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the 
applicable task cards identified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and 
(g)(3) of this AD into the applicable Program Support Manual (PSM) 
as identified in table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD. The initial 
compliance time for the tasks are within 1,600 flight hours or 12 
months, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD.
    (1) de Havilland Dash 8 Series 100 Maintenance Task Card, Task 
Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield 
Moisture Seal,'' dated August 5, 2017.
    (2) de Havilland Dash 8 Series 200 Maintenance Task Card, Task 
Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield 
Moisture Seal,'' dated August 5, 2017.
    (3) de Havilland Dash 8 Series 300 Maintenance Task Card, Task 
Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield 
Moisture Seal,'' dated March 15, 2017.

[[Page 31496]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP06JY18.005

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

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

(i) Cleaning, Inspection, Re-Torqueing, Sealant Application, and 
Operational Test

    Within 8,000 flight hours or 60 months, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD: Perform a chemical cleaning of 
the wiring and components, do a general visual inspection of the 
wiring and components for signs of cracking, erosion, wear, or other 
damage, re-torque the windshield heater terminal lugs, apply 
Humiseal coating to the screw heads of the windshield heater, and do 
an operational test of the pilot's and co-pilot's windshield heating 
system, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-30-41, Revision A, dated March 24, 
2017. If the operational test fails, before further flight, do 
corrective actions, repeat the test, and do applicable corrective 
actions until the operational test is passed. If any cracking, 
erosion, wear, or other damage is found, before further flight, 
repair 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.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-30-41, dated 
March 31, 2016.

(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-2017-25, dated July 31, 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-2018-0553.
    (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 Des Moines, Washington, on June 14, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-13925 Filed 7-5-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P