E7-22728. Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, DHC-8-103, DHC-8-106, DHC-8-201, DHC-8-202, DHC-8-301, DHC-8-311, and DHC-8-315 Airplanes, and Model DHC-8-400 Series Airplanes  

  • Start Preamble

    AGENCY:

    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

    ACTION:

    Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

    SUMMARY:

    We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    Several cases have been reported where the pilot, co-pilot or observer utility light system has failed, resulting in a burning smell within the cockpit. An investigation has revealed that, due to the orientation and location of the carbon molded potentiometers used to control the intensity of the light, the potentiometers can fail and overheat in such a way that burning of the ceiling panel and the associated insulation blanket could occur. This could lead to the presence of smoke in the cockpit, requiring that the pilots carry out the appropriate emergency procedure.

    The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

    DATES:

    We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 21, 2007.

    ADDRESSES:

    You may send comments 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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Start Printed Page 65477

    Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov;​; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Wing Chan, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7311; fax (516) 794-5531.

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2007-0213; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-233-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.

    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.

    Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2007-11, dated August 9, 2007 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Several cases have been reported where the pilot, co-pilot or observer utility light system has failed, resulting in a burning smell within the cockpit. An investigation has revealed that, due to the orientation and location of the carbon molded potentiometers used to control the intensity of the light, the potentiometers can fail and overheat in such a way that burning of the ceiling panel and the associated insulation blanket could occur. This could lead to the presence of smoke in the cockpit, requiring that the pilots carry out the appropriate emergency procedure.

    Corrective actions include replacing the affected carbon molded resistive element potentiometers with wire-wound type potentiometers, for the pilot, co-pilot, and, if applicable, observer utility lights. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

    Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletins 8-33-53, Revision A; and 84-33-10, Revision A; both dated March 14, 2007. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

    FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    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 pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

    Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information.

    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

    Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 186 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $44,640, or $240 per product.

    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.

    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.

    Regulatory Findings

    We 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. Is not a “significant rule” under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.

    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

    Start List of Subjects

    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    • Air transportation
    • Aircraft
    • Aviation safety
    • Safety
    End List of Subjects Start Printed Page 65478

    The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

    Start Part

    PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Start Authority

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

    End Authority
    [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

    Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2007-0213; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-233-AD.

    Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by December 21, 2007.

    Affected ADs

    (b) None.

    Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, DHC-8-103, DHC-8-106, DHC-8-201, DHC-8-202, DHC-8-301, DHC-8-311, and DHC-8-315 airplanes, serial numbers 003 through 639; and Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes, serial numbers 4003, 4004, 4006, and 4008 through 4149; certificated in any category.

    Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 33: Lights.

    Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

    Several cases have been reported where the pilot, co-pilot or observer utility light system has failed, resulting in a burning smell within the cockpit. An investigation has revealed that, due to the orientation and location of the carbon molded potentiometers used to control the intensity of the light, the potentiometers can fail and overheat in such a way that burning of the ceiling panel and the associated insulation blanket could occur. This could lead to the presence of smoke in the cockpit, requiring that the pilots carry out the appropriate emergency procedure.

    Corrective actions include replacing the affected carbon molded resistive element potentiometers with wire-wound type potentiometers, for the pilot, co-pilot, and, if applicable, observer utility lights.

    Actions and Compliance

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, unless already done, do the following actions.

    (1) For Model DHC-8-102, DHC-8-103, DHC-8-106, DHC-8-201, DHC-8-202, DHC-8-301, DHC-8-311, and DHC-8-315 airplanes: Install Bombardier Modsum 8Q101603 to replace the affected carbon molded resistive element potentiometers with wire-wound type potentiometers, for both the pilot and co-pilot utility lights, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-33-53, Revision A, dated March 14, 2007.

    (2) For Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes: Install Bombardier Modsum 4-126381 to replace the affected carbon molded resistive element potentiometers with wire-wound type potentiometers, for the pilot, co-pilot, and observer utility lights, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-33-10, Revision A, dated March 14, 2007.

    (3) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-33-53 or 84-33-10, both dated December 1, 2006, as applicable, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified in this AD.

    FAA AD Differences

    Note:

    This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No difference.

    Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:

    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Wing Chan, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7311; fax (516) 794-5531. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

    Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2007-11, dated August 9, 2007; Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-33-53, Revision A, dated March 14, 2007; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-33-10, Revision A, dated March 14, 2007; for related information.

    Start Signature

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 13, 2007.

    Ali Bahrami,

    Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

    End Signature End Part End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. E7-22728 Filed 11-20-07; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Document Information

Comments Received:
0 Comments
Published:
11/21/2007
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Document Number:
E7-22728
Dates:
We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 21, 2007.
Pages:
65476-65478 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. FAA-2007-0213, Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-233-AD
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
Topics:
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety
PDF File:
E7-22728.Pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13