[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 179 (Friday, September 13, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48437-48439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23443]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-58-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; de Havilland Model DHC-8-102, -103, and
-301 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-
102, -103, and -301 series airplanes. This proposal would require a
one-time inspection for wear and breakage of wire segments of the
individual lighting units of the ceiling and sidewall lights, and
replacement of any damaged wiring. This proposal also would require
installation of teflon spiral wrap on the wiring of the ceiling and
sidewall lights. This proposal is prompted by reports of chafing found
on the electrical wiring of the cabin ceiling lighting system. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the
possibility of a fire on an airplane due to such chafing and consequent
short circuiting, overheating, and smoking of the wires on the aircraft
structure.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 24, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-58-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, New York Aircraft
Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New
York.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Cuneo, Electrical Engineer, New
York Aircraft Certification Office, Systems & Flight Test Branch (ANE-
172), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, Third
Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7506; 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 96-NM-58-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.
[[Page 48438]]
96-NM-58-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-8-102, -103, and -301 series airplanes.
Transport Canada Aviation advises that it received reports indicating
that chafing of the electrical wiring was found at several locations of
the cabin ceiling lighting system on Model DHC-8 series airplanes. The
cause of this chafing has been attributed to the routing of the cables;
this routing allowed the cables to come in contact with the cabin
interior valence panels. Chafing of the electrical wiring of the cabin
ceiling lighting system can cause the wires on the aircraft structure
to short circuit, overheat, and smoke. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in the possibility of fire on the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-35, dated
September 1, 1995, which describes procedures for a one-time inspection
for wear and breakage of wire segments of the individual lighting units
of the ceiling and sidewall lights, and replacement of any damaged
wiring. The service bulletin also describes procedures for installation
of teflon spiral wrap on the wiring of the ceiling and sidewall lights
(Modification 8/2158). Transport Canada Aviation classified this
service bulletin as mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness
directive CF-95-18, dated December 15, 1996, in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in Canada and are 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 a one-time inspection for wear and breakage
of wire segments of the individual lighting units of the ceiling and
sidewall lights, and replacement of any damaged wiring. The proposed AD
also would require installation of teflon spiral wrap on the wiring of
the ceiling and sidewall lights. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described
previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 73 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 30 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $250 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$149,650, or $2,050 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:
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 96-NM-58-AD.
Applicability: Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -301 series airplanes;
serial numbers 002 though 010 inclusive, 012 through 201 inclusive,
203 through 209 inclusive, 211 through 215 inclusive, 217 through
220 inclusive, 222, and 223; on which de Havilland Modification 8/
1114 or 8/1110 (reference de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-
35) has not been accomplished; 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 the possibility of a fire on an airplane due to
chafing of the electrical wiring of the cabin ceiling lighting
system, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 1,000 hours time-in-service or 6 months after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Accomplish the
requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in
accordance with de Havilland Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-35, dated
September 1, 1995.
(1) Perform a one-time inspection for wear and breakage of wire
segments of the individual lighting units of the ceiling and
sidewall lights. Prior to further flight, replace any damaged
wiring.
[[Page 48439]]
(2) Install teflon spiral wrap on the wiring of the ceiling and
sidewall lights (Modification 8/2158).
(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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 6, 1996.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-23443 Filed 9-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
