00-29606. Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -301 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -301 series airplanes, that currently requires a one-time inspection for wear and breakage of wire segments of the individual lighting units of the ceiling and sidewall lights, and replacement of any damaged wiring. The existing AD also requires installation of teflon spiral wrap on the wiring of the ceiling and sidewall lights. This amendment adds a requirement for a one-time inspection to determine if teflon spiral wrap is installed on the wiring of the lavatory lighting system, and installation, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the possibility of a fire on an airplane due to such chafing and consequent short circuiting, overheating, and smoking of the wires on the aircraft structure.

DATES:

Effective January 2, 2001.

The incorporation by reference of Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-35, Revision B, dated September 25, 1998, as listed in the regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of January 2, 2001.

The incorporation by reference of de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-35, dated September 1, 1995, as listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of July 6, 1998 (63 FR 29546, June 1, 1998).

ADDRESSES:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Luciano Castracane, Aerospace Engineer, New York Aircraft Certification Office, Systems & Flight Test Branch (ANE-172), FAA, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 98-11-21, amendment 39-10546 (63 FR 29546, July 6, 1998), which is applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -301 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on August 23, 2000 (65 FR 51256). The action proposed to continue to require a one-time inspection for wear and breakage of wire segments of the individual lighting units of the ceiling and sidewall lights, and replacement of any damaged wiring. The action also proposed to continue to require installation of teflon spiral wrap on the wiring of the ceiling and sidewall lights. Additionally, the action proposed to add a requirement for a one-time inspection to determine if teflon spiral wrap is installed on the wiring of the lavatory lighting system, and installation, if necessary.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 73 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be affected by this AD.

The actions that are currently required by AD 98-11-21 take approximately 30 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts cost approximately $250 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be $149,650, or $2,050 per airplane.

The new inspection that is required by this AD will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the new requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,760, or $120 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a “significant rule” under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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
• Incorporation by reference
• 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-10546 ( 63 FR 29546, July 6, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-12000, to read as follows:

2000-23-27 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment 39-12000. Docket 99-NM-359-AD. Supersedes AD 98-11-21, Amendment 39-10546.

Applicability: Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -301 series airplanes; certificated in any category; serial numbers 002 though 010 inclusive, 012 through 201 inclusive, 203 through 209 inclusive, 211 through 215 inclusive, 217 through 220 inclusive, 222, and 223; except those airplanes on which de Havilland Modification 8/1114 or 8/1110 has been accomplished.

Note 1:

This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise 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 (c)(1) 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 the possibility of a fire on an airplane due to chafing of the electrical wiring of the cabin ceiling lighting system, accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 98-11-21

Inspection for Wire Wear and Breakage

(a) Within 1,000 hours time-in-service or 6 months after July 6, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-11-21, amendment 39-10546), whichever occurs first: Accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in accordance with de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-35, dated September 1, 1995, or Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-35, Revision ‘B’, dated September 25, 1998.

(1) Perform a one-time inspection for wear and breakage of wire segments of the individual lighting units of the ceiling and sidewall lights. Prior to further flight, replace any damaged wiring.

(2) Install teflon spiral wrap on the wiring of the ceiling and sidewall lights (Modification 8/2158).

Note 2:

Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (a) of this AD in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-35, Revision ‘A’, dated July 28, 1998, is acceptable for compliance with that paragraph.

New Requirements of This AD

Inspection for Installed Teflon Spiral Wrap

(b) Within 1,000 hours time-in-service or 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Perform a one-time inspection to determine if teflon spiral wrap is installed on the wiring of the lavatory lighting system, in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-35, Revision ‘B’, dated September 25, 1998.

(1) If teflon spiral wrap is not installed, prior to further flight, install teflon spiral wrap on the wiring of the lavatory lighting system in accordance with the service bulletin.

(2) If teflon spiral wrap is installed, no further action is required by this paragraph.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(c)(1) 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. 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.

(2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in accordance with AD 98-11-21, amendment 39-10546, are approved as alternative methods of compliance with this AD.

Note 3:

Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the New York ACO.

Special Flight Permits

(d) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-35, dated September 1, 1995; or Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-35, Revision ‘B’, dated September 25, 1998.

(1) The incorporation by reference of Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-35, Revision ‘B’, dated September 25, 1998, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) The incorporation by reference of de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-35, dated September 1, 1995, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of July 6, 1998 (63 FR 29546, June 1, 1998).

(3) Copies may be obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Note 4:

The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian airworthiness directive CF-95-18R1, dated January 8, 1999.

Effective Date

(f) This amendment becomes effective on January 2, 2001.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 14, 2000.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager,, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.