[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 55 (Monday, March 23, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13800-13801]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7225]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 55 / Monday, March 23, 1998 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-330-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-8-301, -311, -
314, and -315 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain de Havilland Model DHC-8-
301, -311, -314, and -315 series airplanes. This proposal would require
installation of additional wiring and new electrical connectors for the
lights in the forward end of the passenger overhead compartments. This
proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent severe overheating
of the electrical connectors for hte lights in the forward end of the
passenger overhead compartments, which could result in smoke and fire
in the passenger cabin.
DATES: Comments must be received by April 22, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-330-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box
6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. This
information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and
Propeller Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth
Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Wing Chan, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172,
FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification
Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581;
telephone (516) 256-7511; fax (516) 568-2716.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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 above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 97-NM-330-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person any obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 97-NM-330-AD, 1601 Lnid Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
Transport Canada Aviation (TCA), which is the airworthiness
authority for Canada, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on certain de Havilland Model DHC-8, -301, -311, -314, and -315
series airplanes. TCA advises, that, on two occasions, the electrical
connectors for the lights in the forward end of the passenger cabin
overheated on certain airplanes on which the Heath Techna Interior is
installed. The overheated connectors produced an odor followed by
visible smoke. Such overheating may have been caused by connectors
having insufficient electrical load capacity. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in smoke and fire in the passenger cabin.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Alert Service Bulletin S.B. A8-33-39,
Revision `A,' dated October 24, 1997, which describe procedures for
installation of additional wiring and new electrical connectors for the
lights in the forward end of the passenger overhead compartments. The
new connectors provide a higher electrical load capacity than those
installed previously. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the
alert service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified
unsafe condition. TCA classified this alert service bulletin as
mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-97-17, dated
September 26, 1997, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of
these airplanes in Canada.
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, TCA has kept the FAA informed of the
situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of TCA,
reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is
necessary for products of this type design that are
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certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed 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, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the alert service bulletin described
previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 14 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed installation, and that
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $122 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $9,620,
or $962 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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 [Amendment]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
De Havilland, Inc.: Docket 97-NM-330-AD.
Applicability: Model DHC-8-301, -311, -314, and -315 series
airplane; serial numbers 100, and 202 through 433 inclusive;
excluding serial numbers 271 and 408; 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 severe overheating of the electrical connectors for
the lights in the forward end of the passenger overhead
compartments, which could result in smoke and fire in the passenger
cabin, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 400 hours time-in-service after the effective date of
this AD, install additional wiring and new electrical connectors for
the lights in the forward end of the passenger overhead compartments
in accordance with Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin S.B. A8-33-39,
Revision `A,' date October 24, 1997.
(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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-97-17, dated September 26, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 13, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-7225 Filed 3-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
