[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 183 (Friday, September 20, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49484-49487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20333]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0526; Product Identifier 2019-NM-023-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: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD 
2015-24-04, which applies to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-
2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, 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. AD 2015-24-04 requires repetitive inspections of the cage 
assembly for damaged or detached window louver panel assemblies (WLPAs) 
and blowout panels (BOPs), and corrective actions if necessary. Since 
AD 2015-24-04 was issued, the FAA has determined that new airworthiness 
limitations, as well as additional actions, are necessary to address 
the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would require one-time 
inspections of the WLPAs and BOPs, corrective actions if necessary, and 
a revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new airworthiness limitations, which would 
terminate the proposed inspection requirement. The FAA is proposing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 4, 
2019.

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 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.

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-2019-
0526; 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 is listed above. 
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

    The FAA invites 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

[[Page 49485]]

``Docket No. FAA-2019-0526; Product Identifier 2019-NM-023-AD'' at the 
beginning of your comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on 
the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of 
this proposed AD. The FAA will consider all comments received by the 
closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The FAA issued AD 2015-24-04, Amendment 39-18336 (80 FR 74673, 
November 30, 2015) (``AD 2015-24-04''), for certain Bombardier, Inc., 
Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, 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. AD 2015-24-04 requires repetitive inspections of the 
cage assembly, WLPAs, and BOPs, and corrective actions if necessary. AD 
2015-24-04 resulted from reports of damaged decompression WLPAs, and 
detached BOPs. The FAA issued AD 2015-24-04 to address damaged or 
detached WLPAs and BOPs. A detached WLPA or BOP could delay smoke 
detection in the cargo compartment in the event of a fire, and could 
result in an uncontrolled fire in the cargo compartment.

Actions Since AD 2015-24-04 Was Issued

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2015-28R2, dated 
February 4, 2019 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet 
Series 100 & 440) airplanes, 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. 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-2019-0526.
    This proposed AD was prompted by reports of damaged decompression 
window louver panel assemblies (WLPAs), and detached blowout panels 
(BOPs). We are proposing this AD to address damaged or detached WLPAs 
and BOPs, which could delay smoke detection in the cargo compartment in 
the event of a fire and result in an uncontrolled fire in the cargo 
compartment. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Explanation of Retained Requirements

    This proposed AD supersedes AD 2015-24-04, and this proposed AD 
retains all of the requirements of AD 2015-24-04. Those requirements 
are restated with compliance time changes that are relieving and based 
on the compliance times referenced in an earlier revision of the 
Canadian AD (CF-2015-28R1) which, in turn, was revised by Canadian AD 
CF-2015-28R2. For clarity and to avoid unnecessary differences between 
this proposed AD and the MCAI, we have not separated the requirements 
of this proposed AD into restated requirements and new requirements as 
is our usual practice.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier has issued the following service information:
     Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-25-201, Revision C, dated 
May 11, 2017.
     Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-25-100, Revision C, 
dated May 11, 2017. This service information describes procedures for 
repetitive detailed inspections for damage of the cage assembly, WLPAs, 
and BOPs, and repair or replacement of damaged parts. These documents 
are unique since they apply to different airplane models.
    Bombardier has also issued the following service information:
     Bombardier CRJ Series Regional Jet Maintenance 
Requirements Manual (MRM), CSP A-053, Part 2, Appendix A, Certification 
Maintenance Requirements (CMR), Task C26-25-115-01, as specified in CRJ 
Series Regional Jet Temporary Revision (TR) 2A-69, dated August 30, 
2018.
     Bombardier CRJ Series Regional Jet MRM, CSP B-053, Part 1, 
and Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR) Task 255000-208, as 
specified in TR MRB-0079, dated May 29, 2017.
    This service information describes an airworthiness limitation task 
for a detailed inspection of the aft cargo compartment WLPAs and BOPs. 
These TRs are unique since they apply to different airplane models.
    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 a bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, the FAA 
has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. The FAA proposing this AD because 
the agency 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.

Proposed Requirements of This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 1,008 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:

                                     Estimated Costs for Required Actions *
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
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Retained Inspections from AD 2015-24-   2 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $170        $171,360
 04.                                     hour = $170.
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* Table does not include estimated costs for revising the maintenance or inspection program.


[[Page 49486]]

    The FAA has determined that revising the maintenance or inspection 
program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although the 
agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator to operator. 
In the past, the FAA has estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour 
per airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection 
program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined 
that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane 
estimate. Therefore, the FAA estimates the total cost per operator to 
be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).
    The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the 
agency 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.
    The FAA is 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 and associated appliances to the 
Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA 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. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    3. 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2015-24-04, Amendment 39-18336 (80 FR 74673, November 30, 2015), and 
adding the following new AD:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2019-0526; Product Identifier 2019-
NM-023-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by November 4, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2015-24-04, Amendment 39-18336 (80 FR 74673, 
November 30, 2015) (``AD 2015-24-04'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Bombardier, Inc., airplanes, certificated 
in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this 
AD.
    (1) Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, 
serial numbers 7003 and subsequent.
    (2) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) 
airplanes, serial numbers 10002 and subsequent.
    (3) Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes and 
Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, serial 
numbers 15001 and subsequent.
    (4) Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes, 
serial numbers 19001 and subsequent.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of damaged decompression window 
louver panel assemblies (WLPAs), and detached blowout panels (BOPs). 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address damaged or detached WLPAs and 
BOPs. A detached WLPA or BOP could delay smoke detection in the 
cargo compartment in the event of a fire, and could result in an 
uncontrolled fire in the cargo compartment.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspections, Corrective Action, and Terminating Action for Model 
CL-600-2B19 Airplanes

    (1) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i) or 
(ii) of this AD: Do detailed inspections for damaged or detached 
WLPAs, and do all applicable corrective actions before further 
flight, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-25-201, Revision C, dated May 11, 
2017.
    (i) For airplanes with the accumulation of 780 total flight 
hours or more as of December 15, 2015 (the effective date of AD 
2015-24-04): Inspect within 100 flight hours after December 15, 
2015.
    (ii) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 780 total 
flight hours as of December 15, 2015 (the effective date of AD 2015-
24-04): Inspect before accumulating 880 total flight hours after 
December 15, 2015.
    (2) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate the information specified in Task C26-25-115-01, 
``Detailed Inspection of the Window Louver Panel Assembly (WLPA) in 
Aft Cabin/Cargo Compartment Bulkhead,'' provided in Bombardier CRJ 
Series Regional Jet Temporary Revision (TR) 2A-69, dated August 30, 
2018, to Appendix A, Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR), 
of Part 2 of the Bombardier CL-600-2B19 Maintenance Requirements 
Manual (MRM). The initial compliance time for accomplishing the task 
is within 880 flight hours from the last inspection performed as 
specified in Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-25-201, Revision C, 
dated May 11, 2017. Accomplishing the actions required by this 
paragraph terminates the inspection requirement in paragraph (g)(1) 
of this AD.

(h) Inspections, Corrective Action, and Terminating Action for Model 
CL-600-2C10, CL-600-2D15, CL-600-2D24, and CL-600-2E25 Airplanes

    (1) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1)(i) or 
(ii) of this AD: Do detailed inspections for damaged or detached 
WLPAs and BOPs, and do all applicable corrective actions before 
further flight, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Bombardier Service Bulletin

[[Page 49487]]

670BA-25-100, Revision C, dated May 11, 2017.
    (i) For airplanes with the accumulation of 780 total flight 
hours or more as of December 15, 2015 (the effective date of AD 
2015-24-04): Inspect within 100 flight hours after December 15, 
2015.
    (ii) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 780 total 
flight hours as of December 15, 2015 (the effective date of AD 2015-
24-04): Inspect before accumulating 880 total flight hours after 
December 15, 2015.
    (2) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate the information specified in Task 255000-208, ``Detailed 
Inspection of the Aft Cargo Compartment Window-Louver Panel Assembly 
and Blowout Panels Along with Their Respective Cage Assemblies,'' as 
specified in Bombardier CRJ Regional Jet TR MRB-0079, dated May 29, 
2017, to Part 1 of the Bombardier CRJ Series Regional Jet MRM, CSP 
B-053. The initial compliance time for accomplishing the task is 
within 880 flight hours from the last inspection performed in 
accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-25-100, Revision 
C, dated May 11, 2017. Accomplishing the actions required by this 
paragraph terminates the inspection requirement in paragraph (h)(1) 
of this AD.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using the service information 
identified in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (iii) of this AD.
    (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-25-201, dated July 21, 
2015.
    (ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-25-201, Revision A, dated 
October 21, 2015.
    (iii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-25-201, Revision B, dated 
February 2, 2016.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using the service information 
identified in paragraphs (i)(2)(i) through (iii) of this AD.
    (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-25-100, dated July 21, 
2015.
    (ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-25-100, Revision A, dated 
October 21, 2015.
    (iii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-25-100, Revision B, 
dated February 2, 2016.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    (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.
    (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-2015-28R2, dated February 4, 2019; 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-2019-0526.
    (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; 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 September 16, 2019.
Suzanne Masterson,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-20333 Filed 9-19-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P