[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47834-47835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23100]
[[Page 47834]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-257-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-7 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-7
series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the power
control relay installation of the emergency lights. The proposed AD
also would require revising the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual to
include procedures for turning off and on the emergency lights switch
in certain conditions. This proposal is prompted by a report that the
emergency lights do not automatically illuminate when all generated
electrical power on the airplane is lost and the power to the left
essential bus is maintained from the aircraft batteries. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to ensure that the emergency
lights illuminate when needed in an emergency situation.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 21, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-257-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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wing Chan, Aerospace Engineer, Systems
and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification
Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor,
Valley Stream, New York; telephone (516) 256-7511; 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 95-NM-257-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. 95-NM-257-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-7 series airplanes. Transport Canada
Aviation advises that the emergency lights do not automatically
illuminate when all generated electrical power on the airplane is lost
and the power to the left essential bus is maintained from the aircraft
batteries. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the
failure of the emergency lights to illuminate when needed in an
emergency situation.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin S.B. 7-33-23, Revision `A',
dated October 20, 1995 (Modification 7/2622), which describes
procedures for modification of the power control relay installation of
the emergency lights. The modification involves installation of a new
relay assembly and connection of the wires to the terminal block. The
modification will provide direct monitoring of each generator control
unit, and upon loss of all DC generators, the emergency lights will be
activated by the emergency light batteries. Transport Canada Aviation
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-95-03, dated March 9, 1995, in order to
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.
Bombardier also has issued Dash 7 Flight Manual PSM 1-71A-1A,
Revision 39, dated August 22, 1994, which describes procedures for
turning off the emergency lights switch following accomplishment of
Modification 7/2622. The flight manual also describes procedures
turning on the emergency lights switch, if the emergency lights are
required.
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, the
proposed AD would require modification of the power control relay
installation of the emergency lights. Following accomplishment of the
proposed modification, the proposed AD also would require revising the
Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual to
include procedures for turning off and on the emergency lights switch.
The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the
service bulletin and flight manual described previously.
[[Page 47835]]
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 47 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $2,713 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification proposed by
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $138,791, or $2,953 per
airplane.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the proposed AFM revision, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AFM revision
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,820, or $60
per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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:
De Havilland, Inc.: Docket 95-NM-257-AD.
Applicability: Model DHC-7 series airplanes, serial numbers 003
through 113 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
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 (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 ensure that the emergency lights illuminate when needed in an
emergency situation, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the power control relay installation of the emergency lights, in
accordance with de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 7-33-23, Revision
`A', dated October 20, 1995.
(b) Following accomplishment of paragraph (a) of this AD, revise
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) by inserting a copy of de Havilland Dash 7 Flight Manual PSM
1-71A-1A, Revision 39, dated August 22, 1994, into the AFM.
(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 2: 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 4, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-23100 Filed 9-10-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
