[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 155 (Thursday, August 12, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43957-43959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20895]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-385-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional
Jet Series 100) Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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) series airplanes. This proposal would
require a one-time inspection to detect damage of the input connectors
and wiring of the main and auxiliary power unit (APU) battery chargers,
and corrective action, if necessary. It would also require installation
of secure connectors for the battery charger input connections. In
addition, this proposal would require, for certain airplanes, either
the installation of a resistor in the battery charger wiring, or the
installation of new batteries with internal resistors. 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 increased risk of a short
circuit and consequent electrical smoke or fire in the aft fuselage.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 13, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-385-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
[[Page 43958]]
Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New
York.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louis Castracane, 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) 256-7535;
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-385-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-385-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)
series airplanes. TCA advises that several incidents of damage to the
battery connectors of the main battery and the auxiliary power unit
(APU) have been reported. An investigation has revealed that short
circuit protection does not exist within the main battery and the APU
battery for the mid-voltage sensing wire going from the 10th cell of
each battery to its respective battery charger. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in increased risk of a short circuit and
consequent electrical smoke or fire in the aft fuselage.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Canadair Alert Service Bulletin A601R-24-085,
Revision ``C,'' dated November 5, 1998, which describes procedures for
a one-time detailed visual inspection to detect damage of the input
connectors and wiring of the main battery and auxiliary power unit
(APU) battery charger, and corrective action, if necessary. It also
describes procedures for the installation of secure connectors for the
battery charger input connections, and either the installation of a
resistor in the battery charger wiring or installation of new batteries
with internal resistors. 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-98-40, dated November 10,
1998, 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 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 bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 115 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 6 work hours
per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions (no breakdown of work
hours for each action is provided in the service bulletin), at an
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be
provided at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $41,400,
or $360 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 43959]]
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-385-AD.
Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100)
series airplanes, serial numbers 7003 through 7067 inclusive and
7069 through 7250 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 increased risk of a short circuit and consequent
electrical smoke or fire in the aft fuselage, accomplish the
following:
Inspection and Corrective Action
(a) For all airplanes: Within 450 flight hours after the
effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions specified in
paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD, in accordance with
Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions of Canadair Alert Service
Bulletin A601R-24-085, Revision `C,' dated November 5, 1998.
(1) Perform a detailed visual inspection to detect damage of the
input connector of the main battery charger and the wire harness
between the electrical connectors for the main battery and the main
battery charger. If any damage is detected, prior to further flight,
repair it, or replace the wiring or connector with new or
serviceable parts.
(2) Perform a detailed visual inspection to detect damage of the
input connector of the auxiliary power unit (APU) battery charger
and the wire harness between the electrical connectors for the APU
battery and the APU battery charger. If any damage is detected,
prior to further flight, repair it, or replace the wiring or
connector with new or serviceable parts.
(3) Secure both the spin coupling ring of the input connector of
the main battery charger and the spin coupling ring of the input
connector of the APU battery charger by installing heat shrink
tubing and ty-rap.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage,
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror,
magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate
access procedures may be required.''
Modification or Replacement
(b) For airplane serial numbers 7003 through 7067 inclusive and
7069 through 7249 inclusive: Within 450 flight hours after the
effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions in either
paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) in accordance with Part B of the
Accomplishment Instructions of Canadair Alert Service Bulletin
A601R-24-085, Revision `C,' dated November 5, 1998.
(1) Install an external 5.1-Kohm resistor in the mid-voltage
sensing wire for the main battery and an external 5.1-Kohm resistor
in the mid-voltage sensing wire for the APU battery. Or
(2) Install main battery P/N 601R59041-3 and APU battery P/N
600-59151-11, which contain an internal resistor for the mid-voltage
sensing wire.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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.
Special Flight Permits
(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-98-40, dated November 10, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 6, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20895 Filed 8-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
