2011-22710. Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-300 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above that would supersede an existing AD. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

Several cases of aileron terminal quadrant support brackets that were manufactured using sheet metal have been found cracked on DHC-8 Series 300 aircraft. Investigation revealed that the failure of the support bracket was due to fatigue. Failure of the aileron terminal quadrant support bracket could result in an adverse reduction of aircraft roll control.

* * * * *

These conditions could result in loss of control of the airplane. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 24, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

You may send comments by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; e-mail [e-mail]; Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov;​; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone [phone]) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2011-0916; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-127-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

On December 16, 2010, we issued AD 2010-26-13, Amendment 39-16553 (75 FR 81420, December 28, 2010). That AD required actions intended to address an unsafe condition on the products listed above.

Since we issued AD 2010-26-13, we have determined there is a typographical error in paragraph (g)(2) of AD 2010-26-13. Paragraph (g)(2) of AD 2010-26-13 requires installing a new aileron input quadrant support bracket “before the accumulation of 33,000 total flight cycles or within 6,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.” The compliance time of “33,000 total flight cycles,” should have been “33,000 total flight hours.” We have revised paragraph (g)(2) of this proposed AD to include the 33,000 total flight hours compliance time.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information.

We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 13 products of U.S. registry.

The actions that are required by AD 2010-26-13 and retained in this proposed AD take about 72 work-hours per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour. Required parts cost about $1,080 per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the currently required actions is $93,600, or $7,200 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 proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 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. 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 removing Amendment 39-16553 (75 FR 81420, December 28, 2010) and adding the following new AD:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2011-0916; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-127-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments by October 24, 2011.

Affected ADs

(b) This AD supersedes AD 2010-26-13, Amendment 39-16553 (75 FR 81420, December 28, 2010).

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -315 airplanes, certificated in any category; having serial numbers 100 through 530 inclusive.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57: Wings.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

Several cases of aileron terminal quadrant support brackets that were manufactured using sheet metal have been found cracked on DHC-8 Series 300 aircraft. Investigation revealed that the failure of the support bracket was due to fatigue. Failure of the aileron terminal quadrant support bracket could result in an adverse reduction of aircraft roll control.

* * * * *

These conditions could result in loss of control of the airplane.

Compliance

(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2010-26-13, With Reduced Compliance Time and No New Service Information

Actions

(g) For airplanes with an aileron terminal quadrant support bracket having part number (P/N) 85711569: At the applicable times specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, install a new aileron input quadrant support bracket by incorporating MODSUM 8Q101250, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-57-43, Revision B, dated October 7, 2009.

(1) For airplanes that have accumulated 30,000 total flight hours or more as of February 1, 2011 (the effective date of AD 2010-26-13): Within 3,000 flight hours after February 1, 2011.

(2) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 30,000 total flight hours as of February 1, 2011: At the earlier of the times of paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (g)(2)(ii).

(i) Before the accumulation of 33,000 total flight cycles or within 6,000 flight hours after February 1, 2011, whichever occurs first.

(ii) Before the accumulation of 33,000 total flight hours or within 6,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service Information

(h) Doing the installation by incorporating MODSUM 8Q101250 is also acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD if done before February 1, 2011, in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-57-43, dated August 9, 2002; or Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-57-43, Revision A, dated January 17, 2003.

FAA AD Differences

Note 1:

This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(i) 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 New York ACO, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 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) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

Related Information

(j) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2009-45, dated December 11, 2009; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-57-43, Revision B, dated October 7, 2009; for related information.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 29, 2011.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.