2010-20487. Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This 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:

There have been several Stick Pusher Capstan Shaft failures causing severe degradation of the stick pusher function. This directive is issued to revise the first flight of the day check of the stall protection system to detect degradation of the stick pusher function. It also introduces a new repetitive maintenance task to limit exposure to dormant failure of the stick pusher capstan shaft.

Dormant loss or severe degradation of the stick pusher function could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective September 29, 2010.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 29, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bruce Valentine, Avionics and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2010 (75 FR 31324). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

There have been several Stick Pusher Capstan Shaft failures causing severe degradation of the stick pusher function. This directive is issued to revise the first flight of the day check of the stall protection system to detect degradation of the stick pusher function. It also introduces a new repetitive maintenance task to limit exposure to dormant failure of the stick pusher capstan shaft.

Dormant loss or severe degradation of the stick pusher function could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We considered the comment received. Air Line Pilots Association, International supports the NPRM.

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

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 required different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow our FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 601 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $51,085, or $85 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 AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 AD:

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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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 the NPRM, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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:

2010-17-17 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-16411. Docket No. FAA-2010-0482; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-225-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 29, 2010.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 7003 through 7990 inclusive, and 8000 and subsequent.

Note 1:

This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections 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 (h)(1) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.

Subject

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

Reason

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

There have been several Stick Pusher Capstan Shaft failures causing severe degradation of the stick pusher function. This directive is issued to revise the first flight of the day check of the stall protection system to detect degradation of the stick pusher function. It also introduces a new repetitive maintenance task to limit exposure to dormant failure of the stick pusher capstan shaft.

Dormant loss or severe degradation of the stick pusher function could result in reduced controllability 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.

Actions

(g) Do the following actions.

(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Limitations section of the Canadair Regional Jet Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) CSP A-012 to include the information in Canadair Regional Jet Temporary Revision (TR) RJ/178-1, dated March 8, 2010; as specified in the TR. The Canadair Regional Jet TR RJ/178-1, dated March 8, 2010, introduces procedures for performing a stall protection system test. Operate the airplane according to the limitations and procedures in the Canadair Regional Jet TR RJ/178-1, dated March 8, 2010.

Note 2:

This may be done by inserting a copy of Canadair Regional Jet TR RJ/178-1, dated March 8, 2010, into the Canadair Regional Jet AFM CSP A-012. When this Canadair Regional Jet TR has been included in general revisions of the Canadair Regional Jet AFM, the general revisions may be inserted in the Canadair Regional Jet AFM, provided the relevant information in the general revision is identical to that in the Canadair Regional Jet TR.

(2) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise Appendix A—Certification Maintenance Requirements of Part 2 of the Bombardier CL-600-2B19 Maintenance Requirements Manual (MRM) by incorporating the information in Bombardier TR 2A-43, dated May 7, 2008; as specified in Bombardier TR 2A-43. The initial compliance time for the new MRM task identified in Bombardier TR 2A-43 is at the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (g)(2)(ii) of this AD. Thereafter, except as provided by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, no alternative task intervals may be used. Bombardier TR 2A-43, dated May 7, 2008, introduces procedures for a function check of the stick pusher capstan.

(i) Prior to the accumulation of 5,000 total flight hours.

(ii) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.

Note 3:

The actions required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD may be done by inserting a copy of Bombardier TR 2A-43, dated May 7, 2008, into Appendix A—Certification Maintenance Requirements of Part 2 of the Bombardier CL-600-2B19 MRM. When this Bombardier TR has been included in general revisions of the Bombardier CL-600-2B19 MRM, the Bombardier CL-600-2B19 TR may be removed from the MRM, provided the relevant information in the general revision is identical to that in Bombardier CL-600-2B19 TR 2A-43, dated May 7, 2008.

FAA AD Differences

Note 4:

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

Other FAA AD Provisions

(h) 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. Send information 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 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards 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.

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

(4) Special Flight Permits: We are not allowing special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199).

Related Information

(i) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2009-36, dated September 2, 2009; Bombardier CL-600-2B19 TR 2A-43, dated May 7, 2008, to Appendix A—Certification Maintenance Requirements of Part 2 of the Bombardier CL-600-2B19 MRM; and Canadair Regional Jet TR RJ/178-1, dated March 8, 2010, to the Canadair Regional Jet AFM CSP A-012; for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(j) You must use Bombardier Temporary Revision (TR) 2A-43, dated May 7, 2008, to Appendix A—Certification Maintenance Requirements of Part 2 of the Bombardier CL-600-2B19 Maintenance Requirements Manual; and Canadair Regional Jet TR RJ/178-1, dated March 8, 2010, to the Canadair Regional Jet Airplane Flight Manual CSP A-012; as applicable; to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(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]; e-mail [e-mail]; Internet http://www.bombardier.com.

(3) You may review copies of the 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.

(4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/​federal_​register/​code_​of_​federal_​regulations/​ibr_​locations.html.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 12, 2010.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.