[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55606-55609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24003]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0551; Product Identifier 2018-NM-023-AD; Amendment 
39-19485; AD 2018-22-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting 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 AD was prompted by 
reports of damage to the protective coating and corrosion on the 
piston/axle of the main landing gear (MLG), caused by friction between 
the inboard axle sleeve and the axle thrust face. This AD requires 
revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate a detailed inspection of the MLG piston/axle for damage to 
the protective coating and for corrosion. We are issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

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

[[Page 55607]]

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. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0551.

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-
0551; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is 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: 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:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to 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 NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on July 6, 2018 (83 FR 31504). The NPRM was prompted by 
reports of damage to the protective coating and corrosion on the 
piston/axle of the MLG, caused by friction between the inboard axle 
sleeve and the axle thrust face. The NPRM proposed to require revising 
the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a 
detailed inspection of the MLG piston/axle for damage to the protective 
coating and for corrosion.
    We are issuing this AD to address damage to the protective coating 
and corrosion found on the piston/axle of the MLG, caused by friction 
between the inboard axle sleeve and the axle thrust face, which could 
cause the axle to separate from the piston/axle, and ultimately lead to 
collapse of the landing gear during ground maneuvers or upon landing.
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2017-38, dated December 
20, 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 reports of damage to the protective coating and/
or corrosion on the piston/axle of the Main Landing Gear (MLG). The 
damage to the protective coating was caused by friction between the 
inboard axle sleeve and the axle thrust face. If not corrected, this 
condition can cause the axle to separate from the piston/axle [and 
consequent collapse of the landing gear during ground maneuvers or 
upon landing].
    This [Canadian] AD mandates the incorporation of a new 
maintenance task in order to perform a [detailed] visual inspection 
of the piston/axle of the MLG to prevent the axle separation from 
the piston/axle.

    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-
0551.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM

    The Air Line Pilots Association, International and Endeavor Air 
stated their support for the proposed AD.

Request To Refer to Certain Revised Service Information

    Endeavor Air noted that Bombardier, Inc. has issued certain revised 
service information and requested that the proposed AD be updated to 
reference the revised service information.
    We agree with the commenter's request. We have determined the 
revised service information should be referenced in regards to 
calculating the time since piston/axle entry into service, since 
operators might have done the latest inspection, restoration, or repair 
using the revised service information. We have updated paragraph (h) of 
this AD to refer to the revised service information and reorganized 
paragraph (h) of this AD for consistency.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule with the changes described previously and minor 
editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued CRJ Series Regional Jet Temporary 
Revision (TR) MRB-0059, dated March 20, 2015. The service information 
describes an airworthiness limitation task for a detailed inspection 
for damage to the protective coating and for corrosion on the piston/
axle of the MLG. 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 530 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

[[Page 55608]]

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 and 
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    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):

2018-22-12 Bombardier, Inc: Amendment 39-19485; Docket No. FAA-2018-
0551; Product Identifier 2018-NM-023-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 12, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of damage to the protective 
coating and corrosion found on the piston/axle of the main landing 
gear (MLG), caused by friction between the inboard axle sleeve and 
the axle thrust face. We are issuing this AD to address such damage, 
which could cause the axle to separate from the piston/axle, and 
ultimately lead to collapse of the landing gear during ground 
maneuvers or upon 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 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating 
CRJ Series Regional Jet Temporary Revision (TR) MRB-0059, dated 
March 20, 2015. The applicable maintenance or inspection program 
revision required by this paragraph may be done by inserting a copy 
of CRJ Series Regional Jet TR MRB-0059, dated March 20, 2015, into 
the maintenance requirements manual (MRM). When the information in 
CRJ Series Regional Jet TR MRB-0059, dated March 20, 2015, has been 
included in the general revisions of the MRM, the general revisions 
may be inserted in the MRM, and this TR may be removed, provided the 
relevant information in the general revision is identical to that in 
CRJ Series Regional Jet TR MRB-0059, dated March 20, 2015. The 
initial time for the task is at the applicable time specified in 
figure 1 to paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD. Information used for 
determining the entry into service date can be found in paragraph 
(h) of this AD.

[[Page 55609]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR07NO18.000

(h) Information for Calculating Time Since Piston/Axle Entry Into 
Service Date

    The entry into service date (first column of figure 1 to 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD) can be calculated from the date 
of the latest inspection, restoration, or repair accomplished as 
specified in the service information listed in paragraphs (h)(1) 
through (h)(3) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) Inspected as specified in one of the following Bombardier 
Service Bulletins specified in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through 
(h)(1)(iv) of this AD.
    (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-32-048, dated August 29, 
2014.
    (ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-32-048, Revision A, dated 
September 5, 2014.
    (iii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-32-048, Revision B, 
dated September 2, 2015.
    (iv) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-32-048, Revision C, dated 
July 11, 2018.
    (2) Restored as specified in Bombardier Task Number 320100-210, 
of the Bombardier CRJ Series Regional Jet MRM, Part 1, CSP B-053.
    (3) Repaired as specified in one or more of the Bombardier 
repair engineering orders (REO) specified in paragraphs (h)(3)(i) 
through (h)(3)(v) of this AD.
    (i) Bombardier REO 670-32-11-313, Revision A, dated March 18, 
2014.
    (ii) Bombardier REO 670-32-11-361, dated July 30, 2014.
    (iii) Bombardier REO 670-32-11-361, Revision A, dated May 31, 
2018.
    (iv) Bombardier REO 698-32-11-008, dated July 30, 2014.
    (v) Bombardier REO 698-32-11-008, Revision A, dated May 31, 
2018.

(i) 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 (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 AD CF-2017-38, dated December 20, 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-2018-0551.
    (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) 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) CRJ Series Regional Jet Temporary Revision (TR) MRB-0059, 
dated March 20, 2015.
    (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 October 25, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-24003 Filed 11-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P