[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 145 (Friday, July 28, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38668-38670]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18585]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-116-AD; Amendment 39-9325; AD 95-13-04]
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional
Jet Series 100) Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-13-04 that was sent previously
to all known U.S. owners and operators of certain Bombardier Model CL-
600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) series airplanes by individual
letters. This AD requires a revision to the Airplane Flight Manual to
prohibit the use of mach trim and to add speed restrictions if the
autopilot is disengaged or inoperative. This AD also requires
installation of an associated placard.
[[Page 38669]]
This amendment is prompted by deficiencies that were discovered during
a recent review of vendor documentation of the horizontal stabilizer
trim control unit. The actions specified by this AD are intended to
prevent such deficiencies, which could result in a nose-up trim runaway
when a single component in the mach trim circuits fails.
DATES: Effective August 14, 1995, to all persons except those persons
to whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 95-13-
04, issued on June 16, 1995, which contained the requirements of this
amendment.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before September 26, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-116-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The applicable service information may be obtained from 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 11581; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Cuneo, Electrical Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANE-173, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street,
Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7506;
fax (516) 568-2716.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 16, 1995, the FAA issued priority
letter AD 95-13-04, applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19
(Regional Jet Series 100) series airplanes. Transport Canada Aviation,
which is the airworthiness authority for Canada, recently notified the
FAA that, during a recent Canadair review of vendor documentation of
the horizontal stabilizer trim control unit (HSTCU), certain
deficiencies were discovered. The reliability of the HSTCU was found to
be lower than anticipated due to circuit design deficiencies. When such
deficiencies exist in the HSTCU, and a single component in the mach
trim circuits fails, a nose-up trim runaway could occur.
Bombardier has issued Canadair Regional Jet Temporary Revision No.
TR RJ/43 to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). This temporary revision
advises the flightcrew that the use of mach trim is prohibited and that
speed restrictions must be applied if the autopilot is disengaged or
inoperative. Transport Canada Aviation issued Canadian airworthiness
directive CF95-08, dated June 8, 1995, in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.
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.
Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop
on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United
States, the FAA issued priority letter AD 95-13-04 to require a
revision to the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved AFM to prohibit
the use of mach trim and to add speed restrictions if the autopilot is
disengaged or inoperative. The actions are required to be accomplished
in accordance with the temporary revision to the AFM previously
described.
In addition, the FAA finds that in order to ensure flightcrew
awareness, the installation of a placard is necessary to advise the
flightcrew of the operations restrictions discussed previously.
This AD is considered to be interim action until final action is
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required,
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters
issued on June 16, 1995, to all known U.S. owners and operators of
certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) series
airplanes. These conditions still exist, and the AD is hereby published
in the Federal Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective as to all
persons.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 95-NM-116-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined
[[Page 38670]]
further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If
it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from 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.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 is revised to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Bombardier, Inc. (formerly Canadair) 95-13-04: Amendment 39-9325.
Docket 95-NM-116-AD.
Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100)
series airplanes, serial numbers 7003 and subsequent, certificated
in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously. To prevent a nose-up trim runaway, accomplish the
following: (a) Within 24 hours after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3)
of this AD. (1) Install a placard adjacent to the primary flight
display next to the airspeed limitation placard, to read:
``USE OF MACH TRIM IS PROHIBITED. IF THE AUTOPILOT IS DISENGAGED
OR INOPERATIVE, RESTRICT SPEED TO 250 KIAS OR 0.7 MACH.''
(2) Revise the Limitations section of the FAA-approved Airplane
Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following information. The
requirements of this paragraph may be accomplished by inserting a
copy of this AD, or Canadair Regional Jet Temporary Revision No. TR
RJ/43, into the AFM.
``USE OF MACH TRIM IS PROHIBITED. IF THE AUTOPILOT IS DISENGAGED
OR INOPERATIVE, RESTRICT SPEED TO 250 KIAS OR 0.7 MACH.''
Note 1: When the temporary revision has been incorporated in the
general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted
in the AFM, provided the information contained in the general
revision is identical to that specified in Canadair Regional Jet
Temporary Revision No. TR RJ/43.
(3) Revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved AFM to
include the following information. The requirements of this
paragraph may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into
the AFM.
``Prior to the accomplishment of Bombardier Alert Service
Bulletin S.B. A601R-27-054, dated June 12, 1995, when the Mach trim
system is disengaged, the ``MACH TRIM'' caution message will be
displayed on the Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System (EICAS),
and the Mach trim engage/disengage switch ``INOP'' legend will be
illuminated. The EICAS message may be scrolled out of view prior to
takeoff, but the switch ``INOP'' light will remain illuminated.''
(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.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on August 14, 1995, to all
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately
effective by priority letter AD 95-13-04, issued on June 16, 1995,
which contained the requirements of this amendment.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 24, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-18585 Filed 7-27-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
