2016-17538. Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of operator inability to open the main passenger door following severe hot soak conditions. This AD requires the incorporation of a new configuration to the passenger door external handle detent to enhance the performance across the full range of the airplane operating temperatures. We are issuing this AD to prevent thermal expansion and permanent deformation at severe hot soak conditions, creating high friction between the spring pot housing and the slider that could result in inability to open the main passenger door and impede evacuation in the event of an emergency.

DATES:

This AD is effective August 31, 2016.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 31, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

For service information identified in this final rule, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Côte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; email [e-mail]; 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-8435.

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-2015-8435; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone [phone]) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cesar A. 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 [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on January 13, 2016 (81 FR 1584) (“the NPRM”). The NPRM was prompted by reports of operator inability to open the main passenger door following severe hot soak conditions. The NPRM proposed to require the incorporation of a new configuration to the passenger door external handle detent to enhance the performance across the full range of the airplane operating temperatures. We are issuing this AD to prevent thermal expansion and permanent deformation at severe hot soak conditions, creating high friction between the spring pot housing and the slider that could result in inability to open the main passenger door and impede evacuation in the event of an emergency.

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2015-03, dated March 13, 2015 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. The MCAI states:

There have been reports where operators experienced an inability to open the main passenger door following severe hot soak conditions.

Investigation determined that the nylon slider in the plunger assembly of the door handle is susceptible to thermal expansion and permanent deformation at severe hot soak conditions, creating high friction between the spring pot housing and the slider.

This condition, if not corrected, could result in an inability to open the main passenger door and could impede evacuation in the event of an emergency.

This [Canadian] AD mandates the incorporation of a new configuration to the passenger door external handle detent to enhance the performance across the full range of the aeroplanes operating temperatures.

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-2016-8435.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

• Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Bombardier issued the following service Information:

• Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-1A11-52-021, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2015.
• Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-52-044, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2015.
• Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-52-5008, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2015.
• Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-52-6008, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2015.

The service information describes procedures to incorporate a new configuration to the passenger door external handle detent. 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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 60 airplanes of U.S. registry.

We also estimate that it would take about 4 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $20,400, or $340 per product.

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 AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:

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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2016-15-03 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-18594. Docket No. FAA-2015-8435; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-049-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective August 31, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Bombardier Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers (S/Ns) 9002 through 9515 inclusive and S/N 9998.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by reports of operator inability to open the main passenger door following severe hot soak conditions. We are issuing this AD to prevent thermal expansion and permanent deformation at severe hot soak conditions, creating high friction between the spring pot housing and the slider that could result in inability to open the main passenger door that could impede evacuation in the event of an emergency.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Modification

Within 15 months after the effective date of this AD, incorporate the new configuration to the passenger door external handle detent, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD:

(1) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-1A11-52-021, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2015 (for Model BD-700-1A11 airplanes).

(2) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-52-044, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2015 (for Model BD-700-1A10 airplanes).

(3) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-52-5008, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2015 (for Model BD-700-1A11 airplanes).

(4) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-52-6008, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2015 (for Model BD-700-1A10 airplanes).

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using the following service information, as applicable. This service information is not incorporated by reference in this AD.

(1) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-1A11-52-021, dated November 9, 2012.

(2) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-52-044, dated November 9, 2012.

(3) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-52-5008, dated November 9, 2012.

(4) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-52-6008, dated November 9, 2012.

(i) 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 [phone]; fax [phone]. 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. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

(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.

(j) Related Information

Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2015-03, dated March 26, 2015, 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-2015-8435.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.

(i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-1A11-52-021, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2015.

(ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-52-044, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2015.

(iii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-52-5008, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2015.

(iv) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-52-6008, Revision 01, dated February 3, 2015.

(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Côte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; email [e-mail]; Internet http://www.bombardier.com.

(4) 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.

(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 19, 2016.

Michael Kaszycki,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.