2012-15063. Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the safe life limit and inspection requirements for the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA) attachment pins and trunnions were not listed in the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the maintenance program. This proposed AD would require inspecting the trunnions and upper and lower pins for gouges, scratches, and corrosion, and replacing if necessary; and adding serial numbers and new part numbers to certain trunnions, and upper and lower pins. This proposed AD would also require revising the maintenance program to incorporate the information specified in certain temporary revisions of the limitations section. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking, gouges, scratches, and corrosion of the HSTA attachment pins and trunnions, which could result in failure of these pins and trunnions and consequent disconnection of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent loss of controllability of the airplane.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 6, 2012.

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 W12-140, 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., 400 Côte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; email [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:

Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 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-2012-0639; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-005-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

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2011-45, dated December 19, 2011 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

During a review of the Horizontal Stabilizer Trim Actuator (HSTA) system, it was discovered that the safe life limits and the inspection requirements for the HSTA attachment pins and trunnions were not listed in the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness. Also, the HSTA attachment pins and trunnions were not serialized making it impossible to keep accurate records of the life of these parts. Failure of these pins and trunnions will lead to a disconnect of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent loss of the aeroplane.

This [TCCA] Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandates the serialization of the HSTA attachment pins and trunnions.

The required actions include a detailed inspection of the trunnions and upper and lower pins for gouges, scratches, and corrosion, and replacing if necessary; and adding serial numbers and new part numbers to certain trunnions, and upper and lower pins. This proposed AD would also require revising the maintenance program to incorporate the information specified in certain temporary revisions of the limitations section. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

Bombardier, Inc. has issued the following service information. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

• Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-27-160, dated September 29, 2011.
• Bombardier Temporary Revision 2B-2180, dated August 8, 2011, to Appendix B—Airworthiness Limitations, of Part 2, Airworthiness Requirements, of the Bombardier CL-600-2B19 Maintenance Requirements Manual.
• Bombardier Temporary Revision 2B-2186, dated August 8, 2011, to Appendix B—Airworthiness Limitations, of Part 2, Airworthiness Requirements, of the Bombardier CL-600-2B19 Maintenance Requirements Manual.

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.

Costs of Compliance

Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 586 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 20 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $162 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, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $1,091,132, or $1,862 per product.

In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would take about 20 work-hours and require parts costing $4,391, for a cost of $6,091 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products that may need these actions.

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);

3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and

4. 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 adding the following new AD:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2012-0639; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-005-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

We must receive comments by August 6, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

(1) This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, certificated in any category, all serial numbers.

(2) This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections) and/or Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs). Compliance with these actions and/or CDCCLs is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by this AD, the operator may not be able to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required actions that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27: Flight controls.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by a report that the safe life limit and inspection requirements for the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA) attachment pins and trunnions were not listed in the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the maintenance program. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking, gouges, scratches, and corrosion of the HSTA attachment pins and trunnions, which could result in failure of these pins and trunnions and consequent disconnection of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent loss of controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

At the earliest of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD: Do a detailed inspection of the trunnions, upper pins, and lower pins identified in table 1 of this AD, for gouges, scratches, and corrosion, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-27-160, dated September 29, 2011.

(1) Within 5,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.

(2) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD.

(3) Before the accumulation of 40,000 total flight cycles, or within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

Table 1—Affected Parts

Part name	Part No.
Upper Pin	600-92384-5
Upper Pin	600-92384-7
Upper Pin	601R92310-1
Lower Pin	600-92383-5
Lower Pin	600-92383-7
Lower Pin	601R92309-1
Trunnion	601R92386-1

(h) Replacement

If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, any gouges, scratches, or corrosion are found: Before further flight, replace the affected part with a part other than one identified in table 1 of this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-27-160, dated September 29, 2011.

(i) Re-Identification

If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no gouges, scratches or corrosion are found: Before further flight, add serial numbers and new part numbers to the trunnions, upper pins, and lower pins, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-27-160, dated September 29, 2011.

(j) Revise Maintenance Program

Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program to incorporate the information specified in Bombardier Temporary Revisions 2B-2180, dated August 8, 2011; and 2B-2186, dated August 8, 2011; to Appendix B—Airworthiness Limitations, of Part 2, Airworthiness Requirements, of the Bombardier CL-600-2B19 Maintenance Requirements Manual (MRM). The compliance time for doing the initial replacement for the HSTA trunnion support and attaching hardware is before the accumulation of 80,000 landings or within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. The compliance time for doing the initial inspection of the upper and lower installation pins of the horizontal stabilizer pitch trim actuator is before the accumulation of 40,000 landings or within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(k) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 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 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.

(m) Related Information

(1) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2011-45, dated December 19, 2011, and the service information specified in paragraphs (m)(1)(i), (m)(1)(ii), and (m)(1)(iii) of this AD, for related information.

(i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-27-160, dated September 29, 2011.

(ii) Bombardier Temporary Revision 2B-2180, dated August 8, 2011, to Appendix B—Airworthiness Limitations, of Part 2, Airworthiness Requirements, of the Bombardier CL-600-2B19 Maintenance Requirements Manual.

(iii) Bombardier Temporary Revision 2B-2186, dated August 8, 2011, to Appendix B—Airworthiness Limitations, of Part 2, Airworthiness Requirements, of the Bombardier CL-600-2B19 Maintenance Requirements Manual.

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Côte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; email [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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 11, 2012.

Kalene C. Yanamura,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.