[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 133 (Friday, July 11, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37170-37172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18151]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-04-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-8-100, -200, and
-300 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-
100, -200, and -300 series airplanes. This proposal would require
modification of the flight compartment door. This proposal is prompted
by a report that the door lock mechanism of the flight compartment door
jammed and it could not be opened using the alternate release
mechanism. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to
prevent failure of the alternate release mechanism of the flight
compartment door, which could delay or impede the evacuation of the
flightcrew during an emergency. Such failure also could result in the
flightcrew not being able to assist passengers in the event of an
emergency.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 18, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-04-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., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division,
Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, 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 11581.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danko Kramar, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANE-
[[Page 37171]]
172, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York
11581; telephone (516) 256-7509; 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-04-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-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 97-NM-04-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
Transport Canada Aviation, which is the airworthiness authority for
Canada, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on
certain de Havilland Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes.
Transport Canada Aviation advises it has received a report indicating
that the door lock mechanism of the flight compartment door jammed and
it could not be opened using the alternate release mechanism.
Subsequent testing revealed that the flight compartment door could be
opened, but more than reasonable force was required to pivot and open
it into the passenger compartment. Such force damaged the flight
compartment door and its surrounding structure. Failure of the
alternate release method of the flight compartment door when the door
becomes jammed could delay or impede the evacuation of the flightcrew
during an emergency. Such failure also could result in the flightcrew
not being able to assist passengers in the event of an emergency.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin S.B. 8-52-39, Revision `A,'
dated October 31, 1996, which describes procedures for modification of
the flight compartment door. The modification involves reworking the
flight compartment door and its surrounding structure, drilling a new
hole in the bottom of the hinge half, installing the reworked hinge
half, and replacing hinges. Accomplishment of this modification ensures
proper operation of the alternate release mechanism of the flight
compartment door. Transport Canada Aviation classified this service
bulletin as mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-
96-20 R1, dated January 15, 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, Transport Canada Aviation has kept
the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined
the findings of Transport Canada Aviation, 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 modification of the
flight compartment door. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described
previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 133 de Havilland Model DHC-8-100, -200, and
-300 series airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this
proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane
to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is
$60 per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer
at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $31,920, or $240 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:
[[Page 37172]]
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:
De Havilland, Inc.: Docket 97-NM-04-AD.
Applicability: Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes
having serial numbers 3 through 433 inclusive, excluding serial
numbers 269, 408, and 413; certificated in any category.
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 (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 failure of the alternate release mechanism of the
flight compartment door, which could delay or impede the evacuation
of the flightcrew during an emergency, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 9 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the flight compartment door (Modification 8/2337) in accordance with
Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-52-39, Revision `A,' dated
October 31, 1996.
Note 2: Modification of the flight compartment door accomplished
prior to the effective date of this AD, in accordance with
Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-52-39, dated August 30, 1996, is
considered acceptable for compliance with the modification required
by paragraph (a) of this AD.
(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 3: 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 3, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-18151 Filed 7-10-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
