[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 6, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40089-40091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-14280]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 128 / Wednesday, July 6, 2022 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 40089]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0394; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00904-T; 
Amendment 39-22094; AD 2022-13-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited 
(Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and -
402 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of nose wheel steering 
(NWS) hydraulic motors jamming during pushback or towing. This AD 
requires doing an inspection to determine the part number and serial 
number of the NWS hydraulic motor, and re-identifying or replacing the 
NWS hydraulic motor if necessary. This AD also prohibits the 
installation of certain NWS hydraulic motors. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 10, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 10, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, 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 https://dehavilland.com. You may view this service information 
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0394.

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-2022-
0394; 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, any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations 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: Elizabeth Dowling, Aerospace Engineer, 
Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services Section, FAA, New York 
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2021-28, dated August 5, 
2021 (also referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition 
for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and 
-402 airplanes. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-
0394.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain De Havilland 
Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on April 6, 2022 (87 FR 19813). The 
NPRM was prompted by reports of NWS hydraulic motors jamming during 
pushback or towing. The NPRM proposed to require doing an inspection to 
determine the part number and serial number of the NWS hydraulic motor, 
and re-identifying or replacing the NWS hydraulic motor if necessary. 
The NPRM also proposed to prohibit the installation of certain NWS 
hydraulic motors. The FAA is issuing this AD to address a possible NWS 
hydraulic motor jam, which could lead to a runway excursion and loss of 
controllability of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background 
information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from The Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as 
proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic 
burden on any operator. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has issued Service Bulletin 
84-32-164, Revision A, dated May 13, 2021. This service information 
describes procedures for doing an inspection to determine the part 
number and serial number of the NWS hydraulic motor, and re-identifying 
the redesigned NWS hydraulic motor, or replacing the original NWS 
hydraulic motor, as necessary.
    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

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 52 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 40090]]



                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Labor cost                   Parts cost         Cost per product         Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 11 work-hours x $85 per hour =                 $80  Up to $1,015..............  Up to $52,780.
 $935.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    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) 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 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:

2022-13-08 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22094; Docket No. 
FAA-2022-0394; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00904-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 10, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model 
DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial 
numbers 4001 and 4003 through 4622 inclusive.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of nose wheel steering (NWS) 
hydraulic motors jamming during pushback or towing caused by worn 
out piston rod shoes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address a 
possible NWS hydraulic motor jam, which could lead to a runway 
excursion and loss of controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 12,000 flight hours or 72 months, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD: Inspect to determine the part 
number and serial number of the NWS hydraulic motor, and re-identify 
or replace the NWS hydraulic motor, as applicable, in accordance 
with paragraph 3.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of De 
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin 84-32-164, Revision A, 
dated May 13, 2021.

(h) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a NWS 
hydraulic motor, part number (P/N) RS1267-1, P/N RS1267-1 MOD SB 32-
13, P/N RS1267-2, P/N RS1267-2 MOD SB 32-13, and P/N RS1267-3, on 
any airplane.

(i) No Return of Parts

    Although De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin 84-32-
164, Revision A, dated May 13, 2021, specifies to return certain 
parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that 
requirement.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited 
Service Bulletin 84-32-164, dated April 20, 2020.

(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 responsible Flight Standards 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. Before using any 
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or 
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight 
Standards 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 De 
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited's TCCA Design Approval 
Organization (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) TCCA AD CF-2021-28, dated August 5, 2021, 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-2022-0394.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Elizabeth 
Dowling, Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Administrative 
Services Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone

[[Page 40091]]

516-228-7300; email [email protected].
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (m)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(m) 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) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-
32-164, Revision A, dated May 13, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact De 
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, 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 
https://dehavilland.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 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, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on June 13, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-14280 Filed 7-5-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P