[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 18, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47113-47116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20098]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0796; Product Identifier 2018-NM-104-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 BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of drainage holes on the belly 
fairing forward and middle access panels being obstructed with sealant. 
This proposed AD would require inspecting for and removing all sealant 
blocking the drainage holes on the belly fairing forward and middle 
access panels. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 2, 
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

[[Page 47114]]

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; telephone: 514-855-5000; 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-
0796; or in person at Docket Operations 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 Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, 
Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services Section, FAA, New York 
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 516-228-7323; fax 516-794-5531; email [email protected].

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-2018-0796; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-104-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 because 
of 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-
2018-14, dated May 1, 2018 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and 
BD-700-1A11 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Bombardier Aerospace (BA) has informed Transport Canada that the 
drainage holes on the belly fairing forward and middle access panels 
may be obstructed with sealant. The purpose of the drainage holes is 
to allow for drainage of a limited quantity of fluids due to any 
leaks, should they occur. This condition, if not corrected, may 
prevent the timely detection of fluid leakage that could lead to the 
accumulation of flammable fluids/vapors, beyond the design capacity 
of the belly fairing venting provisions [which could ignite if an 
ignition source (i.e., spark, static discharge, heat, etc.) is 
present].
    This [Canadian] AD is issued to mandate the removal of all 
sealant blocking the drainage holes on the belly fairing forward and 
middle access panels.

    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-
0796.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier, Inc., has issued the following service information for 
Bombardier Model BD-700-1A10 airplanes.
     Service Bulletin 700-53-051, dated May 17, 2017.
     Service Bulletin 700-53-6009, dated May 17, 2017.
    Bombardier, Inc., has issued the following service information for 
Bombardier Model BD-700-1A11 airplanes.
     Service Bulletin 700-1A11-53-026, dated May 17, 2017.
     Service Bulletin 700-53-5010, dated May 17, 2017.
    This service information describes procedures for inspecting for 
and removing sealant blocking the drainage holes on the belly fairing 
forward and middle access panels. These documents are distinct since 
they apply to different airplane models and configurations. 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

    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 the relevant information and determined the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 376 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                           Labor cost                               Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 work-hours x $85 per hour = $510 per airplane.................              $0            $510        $191,760
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 47115]]

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-2018-0796; Product Identifier 2018-
NM-104-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 2, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-
700-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 
9001 through 9707 inclusive, 9709 through 9717 inclusive, 9719 
through 9726 inclusive, 9728, 9730, 9732 through 9734 inclusive, 
9736 through 9740 inclusive, 9742 through 9745 inclusive, 9749, 
9751, 9757, and 9998.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of drainage holes on the belly 
fairing forward and middle access panels being obstructed with 
sealant. We are issuing this AD to address fluid leakage that could 
lead to the accumulation of flammable fluids/vapors, beyond the 
design capacity of the belly fairing venting provisions, which could 
ignite if an ignition source (i.e., spark, static discharge, heat, 
etc.) is present.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Sealant Removal

    Within 375 flight hours or 12 months, whichever occurs first, 
after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual inspection 
for and remove all sealant blocking the drainage holes on the belly 
fairing forward and middle access panels, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information 
listed in Figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP18SE18.005

(h) 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 ACO Branch, 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

[[Page 47116]]

Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval 
must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2018-14, dated May 1, 
2018, 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-2018-0796.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Darren Gassetto, 
Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services 
Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516 228 7323; fax 516 794 5531; email 
[email protected].
    (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; telephone: 514-855-5000; fax: 514-
855-7401; email: [email protected]; internet: http://www.bombardier.com. You may view this service information at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane 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 September 7, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-20098 Filed 9-17-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P