[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 18, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8768-8771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03042]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0092; Product Identifier 2020-NM-001-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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
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, 
and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes; and all 
Model CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550) airplanes. This proposed AD 
was prompted by reports of fractured rudder primary feel unit shafts; a 
subsequent investigation determined that the fractures in the shafts 
are consistent with fatigue damage. This proposed AD would require 
replacement of the rudder primary feel unit shaft. 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 April 3, 
2020.

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 https://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 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0092; 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: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7330; 
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 ``Docket No. FAA-2020-0092; 
Product Identifier 2020-NM-001-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

[[Page 8769]]

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2019-42, dated November 
8, 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, and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes; 
and all Model CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550) airplanes. You may 
examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0092.
    This proposed AD was prompted by reports of fractured rudder 
primary feel unit shafts; a subsequent investigation determined that 
the fractures in the shafts are consistent with fatigue damage. The FAA 
is proposing this AD to address fractures of the rudder primary feel 
unit shaft, which could result in a loss of feel in the yaw axis and 
thereby impact the controllability of the airplane. See the MCAI for 
additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 601R-27-166, dated April 5, 
2019, and Service Bulletin 670BA-27-075, dated April 5, 2019. This 
service information describes procedures for replacing the rudder 
primary feel unit shaft that has part number 600-90251-1 with a new 
shaft. These documents are distinct 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 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.

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 1,002 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates 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
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18 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,530........................            $158           $1,688       $1,691,376
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this 
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost 
impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty 
coverage for affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included 
all known costs in our cost estimate.

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.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA has 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2020-0092; Product Identifier 2020-
NM-001-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 3, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. airplanes, certificated in 
any category, as specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (4) of this 
AD.

[[Page 8770]]

    (1) Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, 
serial number (S/N) 7003 through 7990 inclusive, and S/N 8000 and 
subsequent.
    (2) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702) 
airplanes, S/N 10002 through 10347 inclusive.
    (3) Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes and 
Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, S/N 15001 
through 15469 inclusive.
    (4) Model CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550) airplanes, all 
serial numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of fractured rudder primary feel 
unit shafts; a subsequent investigation determined that the 
fractures in the shafts are consistent with fatigue damage. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address fractures of the rudder primary feel 
unit shaft, which could result in a loss of feel in the yaw axis and 
thereby impact the controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement

    Within the compliance times specified in figure (1) to paragraph 
(g) of this AD: Replace all rudder primary feel unit shafts that 
have part number (P/N) 600-90251-1 with a new shaft, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of the Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 601R-27-166, dated April 5, 2019; or Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 670BA-27-075, dated April 5, 2019; as applicable. For Model 
CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550) airplanes, do the replacement 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 670BA-27-075, dated April 5, 2019.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP18FE20.052

(h) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
rudder primary feel unit shaft, P/N 600-90251-1, on any airplane.

(i) 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 instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian AD CF-2019-42, dated November 8, 2019, for related 
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet 
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2020-0092.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Andrea Jimenez, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Section, FAA, 
New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7330; fax 516-794-5531; email [email protected].

[[Page 8771]]

    (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 on February 11, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-03042 Filed 2-14-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P