[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 109 (Monday, June 8, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31140-31141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15136]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-134-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional
Jet Series 100) 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 Bombardier Model CL-600-
2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) airplanes. This proposal would require
repetitive inspections of the inboard and outboard flap actuators to
measure the rotational freedom of the actuator ball screw adjacent to
the actuator housing, and replacement of the flap actuators with new or
serviceable actuators, if necessary. 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 premature wear of the internal gears on the
flap actuators, which could result in complete disconnection of the
actuator gear set and a mechanical jam of the flap system. This
condition could cause structural damage and/or significant twist of a
flap panel, which could lead to reduced controllability of the
airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by July 8, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-134-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: Anthony E. Gallo, 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) 256-7510;
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 98-NM-134-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-134-AD, 1601 Lind 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 Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100)
airplanes. TCA advises that there have been several in-service reports
of premature wear of the internal gears on the inboard and outboard
flap actuators on airplanes returned from service. Such deterioration
could result in complete disconnection of the actuator gear set and a
mechanical jam of the flap system, which could cause structural damage
and/or significant twist of a flap panel, and result in reduced
controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
EEMCO has issued Service Bulletin 852D100-27-03, Revision A, dated
February 27, 1997, including Appendices 1 and 2. This service bulletin
describes procedures for repetitive inspections of the inboard and
outboard flap actuators to measure the rotational freedom of the
actuator ball screw adjacent to the actuator housing to determine the
allowable intervals for backlash measurement; and replacement of the
flap actuators with new or serviceable actuators, if necessary.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. TCA
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-97-05, dated May 5, 1997, in order to assure
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.
[[Page 31141]]
Bombardier has issued Canadair Regional Jet Alert Service Bulletin
S.B. A601R-27-069, Revision B, dated March 13, 1997, as an additional
source of service information for accomplishment of the inspection and
measurement procedures described in the EEMCO service bulletin.
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 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 service bulletins described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 81 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$9,720, or $120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
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 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Docket 98-NM-134-AD.
Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100)
airplanes, serial numbers 7003 through 7999 inclusive; 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 (c) 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 premature wear of the internal gears on the flap
actuators, which could result in complete disconnection of the
actuator gear set, a mechanical jam of the flap system, significant
twist of a flap panel leading to structural damage, and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane; accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 1,000 total flight cycles, or
within 400 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later: Inspect the inboard and outboard flap
actuators to measure the rotational freedom of the actuator ball
screw adjacent to the actuator housing to determine the allowable
intervals for backlash measurement, in accordance with EEMCO Service
Bulletin 852D100-27-03, Revision A, dated February 27, 1997,
including Appendices 1 and 2. Repeat the inspections thereafter at
the earliest applicable interval specified in Section 3.A.,
``Inspection Interval Criteria,'' Table I or Table II of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin, as applicable.
(b) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this
AD, the measured backlash exceeds the allowable limit specified in
Section 3.B., ``Removal Criteria,'' and Table I or Table II of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin, as applicable:
Prior to further flight, replace the actuator with a new or
serviceable actuator, in accordance with the times and procedures
specified in EEMCO Service Bulletin 852D100-27-03, Revision A, dated
February 27, 1997, including Appendices 1 and 2. Thereafter, repeat
the inspections in accordance with paragraph (a) of this AD.
Note 2: Canadair Regional Jet Alert Service Bulletin S.B. A601R-
27-069, Revision B, dated March 13, 1997, is an additional source of
service information for accomplishment of the inspection and
measurement procedures described in the EEMCO service bulletin.
(c) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the New York ACO.
(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.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-97-05, dated May 5, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 2, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15136 Filed 6-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
