[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 8, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52688-52689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25671]
[[Page 52688]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-246-AD; Amendment 39-9778; AD 96-21-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional
Jet Series 100) Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet
Series 100) series airplanes. This action requires revising the
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to require the flight crew to check, and
reset, if necessary, certain instrument settings prior to each takeoff
and after any event during which generators are switched. This
amendment is prompted by reports indicating that the co-pilot's air
data reference system has intermittently failed following the switching
of power between generators. The actions specified in this AD are
intended to prevent uncommanded changes in certain instrument settings
on the co-pilot's display, which, if not corrected, can result in
confusion among the flight crew about the correct position and flight
configuration of the airplane.
DATES: Effective October 15, 1996.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before December 9, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-246-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, 98055-4056.
The information concerning this AD may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office,
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley
Stream, New York.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Cuneo, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
New York Aircraft Certification Office, ANE-172, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York
11581; telephone (516) 256-7506; fax (516) 568-2716.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Transport Canada Aviation, which is the
airworthiness authority for Canada, recently notified the FAA that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19
(Regional Jet Series 100) series airplanes. Transport Canada Aviation
advises that it has received reports indicating that there has been
intermittent failure of the co-pilot's air data reference system on
some of these airplanes. This failure has occurred after the transfer
of power between generators, and has resulted in uncommanded changes in
the settings of the barometric altimeter, altitude pre-selector, V-
speed, and speed bug on the co-pilot's instrument display. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in confusion among the flight
crew about the correct position and flight configuration of the
airplane.
Actions by Transport Canada Aviation
Transport Canada Aviation issued Canadian airworthiness directive
CF-96-16, dated September 23, 1996, in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada. That directive advises the
flight crew to ``check and reset, as required, the barometric altimeter
setting, altitude pre-selector, V-speed, and speed bug settings before
takeoff and after any generator switching events.''
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in Canada and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, Transport Canada Aviation has kept
the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined
the findings of Transport Canada Aviation, reviewed all available
information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of
this type design that are certificated for operation in the United
States.
Explanation of Requirements of Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent uncommanded
changes in the settings of the barometric altimeter, altitude pre-
selector, V-speed, and speed bug on the co-pilot's instrument display.
This AD requires revising the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to require the flight crew to check the
settings of these instruments, and reset these settings, as necessary,
prior to each takeoff and after any event during which generators are
switched.
Interim Action
This action is considered to be interim action until final action
is identified. At that time, the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 96-NM-246-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
[[Page 52689]]
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-21-02 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Amendment 39-9778.
Docket 96-NM-246-AD.
Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100)
series airplanes; having serial numbers 7003 and subsequent;
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent uncommanded changes in the settings of the barometric
altimeter, altitude pre-selector, V-speed, and speed bug on the co-
pilot's instrument display, which could result in confusion among
the flight crew about the correct position and flight configuration
of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 3 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) to include the following statement. This may be accomplished
by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.
``Prior to each takeoff and after any event during which
generators are switched, check the settings of the barometric
altimeter, altitude pre- selector, V-speed, and speed bug. If any
discrepancy is detected, reset, as necessary.''
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, New York ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the New York ACO.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on October 15, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 1, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-25671 Filed 10-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
