2017-03995. Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes  

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    AGENCY:

    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

    ACTION:

    Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

    SUMMARY:

    We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-401 and DHC-8-402 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that a pilot was unable to move the rudder pedal due to an obstruction. This proposed AD would require an inspection to determine if wiring shrouds are present, and modifying the wiring shrouds if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

    DATES:

    We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 17, 2017.

    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 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: 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., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone: 416-375-4000; fax: 416-375-4539; email: thd.qseries@aero.bombardier.com; Internet: http://www.bombardier.com. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0125; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 516-228-7318; fax: 516-794-5531.

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    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-2017-0125; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-193-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 AD CF-2016-27, dated September 14, 2016 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-401 and DHC-8-402 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    An operator reported that the flying pilot was unable to move the rudder pedal due to an obstruction caused by the non-flying pilot's foot. The shoe belonging to the non-flying pilot was placed between the rudder pedal and the newly installed wiring shroud and prevented rudder pedal movement. The wiring shroud was installed to support the wire harnesses installed below the cockpit instrument panel.

    If not corrected, this condition could prevent rudder movement during critical phases of flight or ground operation, and result in loss of control of the aeroplane.

    This [Canadian] AD was issued to re-work the wiring shrouds to eliminate potential for obstruction.

    Required actions include an inspection for the presence of wiring shrouds and modification of any existing wiring shrouds. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0125.

    Related Service Information Under1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-25-169, Revision A, dated April 25, 2016. This service information describes procedures for an inspection to verify if wiring shrouds are installed, and modification of any existing wiring shrouds. 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 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 Start Printed Page 12302referenced 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.

    Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 82 airplanes of U.S. registry.

    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

    Estimated Costs

    ActionLabor costParts costCost per productCost on U.S. operators
    Inspection1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85$0$85$6,970

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary modifications that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need these modifications:

    On-Condition Costs

    ActionLabor costParts costCost per product
    Modification of wiring shrouds7 work-hours × $85 per hour = $595$71$666

    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);

    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and

    4. 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.

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    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    • Air transportation
    • Aircraft
    • Aviation safety
    • Incorporation by reference
    • Safety
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    The Proposed Amendment

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

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    PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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

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

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    [Amended]
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    2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

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    Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2017-0125; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-193-AD.

    (a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 17, 2017.

    (b) Affected ADs

    None.

    (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-401 and DHC-8-402 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-25-169, Revision A, dated April 25, 2016.

    (d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/furnishings.

    (e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that a pilot was unable to move the rudder pedal due to an obstruction caused by the non-flying pilot's foot. We are issuing this AD to prevent an obstruction that could prevent rudder pedal movement during critical phases of flight or ground operations, potentially resulting in loss of control of the airplane.

    (f) Compliance

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

    (g) Inspection and Modification of Wiring Shrouds

    Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do a one-time inspection to determine if wiring shrouds are installed, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-25-169, Revision A, dated April 25, 2016.

    (1) If the airplane does not have wiring shrouds installed, no further action is required by this AD.

    (2) If the airplane has wiring shrouds installed, before further flight, modify the wiring shrouds in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-25-169, Revision A, dated April 25, 2016.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Wiring shrouds were installed in accordance with Bombardier Modification Summary Package (ModSum) IS4Q2500035-1, Revision A, dated July 26, 2011; Revision B, dated October 10, 2013; Revision C, dated March 26, 2014; or Revision D, dated February 26, 2016; or ModSum IS4Q2500035-2, Revision A, dated July 26, 2011; Revision B, dated October 10, 2013; Revision C, dated March Start Printed Page 1230326, 2014; or Revision D, dated February 26, 2016.

    (h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:

    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170 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 ACO, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 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 corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO, ANE-170, 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.

    (i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian AD CF-2016-27, dated September 14, 2016, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0125.

    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone: 416-375-4000; fax: 416-375-4539; email: thd.qseries@aero.bombardier.com; Internet: http://www.bombardier.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

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    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 22, 2017.

    Dionne Palermo,

    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

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    [FR Doc. 2017-03995 Filed 3-1-17; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Document Information

Published:
03/02/2017
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Document Number:
2017-03995
Dates:
We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 17, 2017.
Pages:
12301-12303 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. FAA-2017-0125, Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-193-AD
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
Topics:
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety
PDF File:
2017-03995.pdf
Supporting Documents:
» U.S. DOT/FAA - Additional Information
» SB 84-25-169_Rev B
» U.S. DOT/FAA - Supporting AD Documents
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13