E8-12833. Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) Airplanes; CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) Airplanes; and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) 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. 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:

During a pre-delivery flight of a CL-600-2C10 aircraft, the AC essential bus did not come on-line following deployment of the Air Driven Generator (ADG). Following investigation, it was determined that a specific batch of contactors in the ADG Power Center (ADGPC) is susceptible to failure due to low contact pressure. * * *

The unsafe condition is malfunction of the emergency AC generation and control system that supplies emergency AC power to essential flight instruments, including the flap and slat system, pitch trim system, and hydraulic pump 3B. Loss of essential flight instruments could prevent continued safe flight and landing 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 July 9, 2008.

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.

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:

Wing Chan, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, 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-2008-0625; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-069-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-2008-14, dated February 19, 2008 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

During a pre-delivery flight of a CL-600-2C10 aircraft, the AC essential bus did not come on-line following deployment of the Air Driven Generator (ADG). Following investigation, it was determined that a specific batch of contactors in the ADG Power Center (ADGPC) is susceptible to failure due to low contact pressure. This directive mandates inspection of the ADGPC and replacement of any contactors in the suspect batch. It also prohibits future installation of ADGPCs and contactors that have not been inspected per this directive.

The unsafe condition is malfunction of the emergency AC generation and control system that supplies emergency AC power to essential flight instruments, including the flap and slat system, pitch trim system, and hydraulic pump 3B. Loss of essential flight instruments could prevent continued safe flight and landing of the airplane. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 670BA-24-021, Revision A, dated December 11, 2006. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

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 306 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 9 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 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 costs. 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 $220,320, or $720 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
• 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. (Formerly Canadair): Docket No. FAA-2008-0625; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-069-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments by July 9, 2008.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, serial numbers 10004 and subsequent; Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, serial numbers 15002 and subsequent; certificated in any category.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24: Electrical power.

Reason

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

During a pre-delivery flight of a CL-600-2C10 aircraft, the AC essential bus did not come on-line following deployment of the Air Driven Generator (ADG). Following investigation, it was determined that a specific batch of contactors in the ADG Power Center (ADGPC) is susceptible to failure due to low contact pressure. This directive mandates inspection of the ADGPC and replacement of any contactors in the suspect batch. It also prohibits future installation of ADGPCs and contactors that have not been inspected per this directive.

The unsafe condition is malfunction of the emergency AC generation and control system that supplies emergency AC power to essential flight instruments, including the flap and slat system, pitch trim system, and hydraulic pump 3B. Loss of essential flight instruments could prevent continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.

(1) For Model CL-600-2C10 airplanes having serial numbers 10004 through 10265, and Model CL-600-2D15 and CL-600-2D24 airplanes having serial numbers 15002 through 15162: Within 5,000 flight hours or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect for the serial number of the installed ADGPC and, as applicable, for the serial numbers of installed contactors K117, K147 and K153, in accordance with Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-021, Revision A, dated December 11, 2006. If the serial number of the ADGPC is in the range 134 through 250, and any installed contactor has a serial number in the range 411 through 777, before further flight, replace the affected contactor in accordance with Part B of the service bulletin.

(2) Previous inspection of the ADGPC, and replacement of contactors, before the effective date of this AD, in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-021, dated May 30, 2005, meets the requirements of paragraphs (f)(1) of this AD if the ADGPC has not been replaced since accomplishment of the service bulletin.

(3) A review of the aircraft maintenance records to determine the ADGPC and contactor serial numbers also meets the inspection requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

Parts Installation

(g) As of the effective date of this AD: No replacement/spare ADGPC having part number 781GA01Y00, with a serial number in the range 134 through 250, is permitted to be installed on any aircraft, unless the ADGPC has been modified according to paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

(h) As of the effective date of this AD: No replacement/spare ADGPC contactor having part number 995CA01Y00, with a serial number in the range 411 through 777, is permitted to be installed on any aircraft, unless the ADGPC contactor is identified with two labels, as specified in Zodiac ECE Service Bulletin 995CA01Y-24-001, dated May 3, 2005.

FAA AD Differences

Note:

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), 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: Wing Chan, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, 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 appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

(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, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

(j) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2008-14, dated February 19, 2008; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-24-021, Revision A, dated December 11, 2006; for related information.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 30, 2008.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.