[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 117 (Wednesday, June 18, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36513-36515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15326]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-328-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional
Jet Series 100 & 440) 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 Bombardier Model CL-600-
[[Page 36514]]
2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This proposal would
require installing new vent tube assemblies for the main fuel tanks;
and, on certain airplanes, inspecting to measure the clearance between
the vent system tubing and the applicable wing ribs, and corrective
action if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent a fire hazard
due to fuel spillage. This action is intended to address the identified
unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by July 18, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-328-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-328-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box
6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, 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: James Delisio, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft
Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New
York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7521; 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 action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
[sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
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 action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2001-NM-328-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-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2001-NM-328-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness
authority for Canada, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100
& 440) series airplanes. TCCA advises that fuel can enter the vent line
system of the main tank and get trapped. During refueling, or ground
and flight maneuvers, the fuel may spill from certain scoops onto the
ground, run along the lower wing skin, accumulate in the dry bay, and
possibly drip onto the main landing gear and brakes. This fuel
spillage, if not corrected, could result in a fire hazard.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 601R-28-024, Revision `A',
dated November 11, 1998, which describes procedures for installing new
vent tube assemblies for the main fuel tanks to prevent fuel escaping
from the tank vent lines and spilling. The service bulletin also
describes procedures for inspecting certain airplanes to measure the
clearance between the vent system tubing and the applicable wing ribs,
and installing bracket assemblies on those airplanes to provide the
proper clearance, if necessary. Accomplishment of the actions specified
in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the
identified unsafe condition. TCCA classified this service bulletin as
mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2001-31, dated
August 7, 2001, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in Canada.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in Canada and is 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, TCCA has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of
TCCA, 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 registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.
Changes to 14 CFR part 39/Effect on the Proposed AD
On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of
compliance. Because we have now included this material in part 39, only
the office authorized to approve AMOCs is identified in each individual
AD.
[[Page 36515]]
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that the proposed installation would be required
to be accomplished on 45 Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 &
440) airplanes of U.S. registry, that it would take approximately 15
work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed installation, and
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would
cost approximately $10,273 per airplane. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed installation on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $502,785, or $11,173 per airplane.
The FAA estimates that the proposed inspection would be required to
be accomplished on 43 Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440)
airplanes of U.S. registry, that it would take approximately 1 work
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $2,580, or $60 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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. The cost impact figures
discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to
perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other
administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
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:
Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Docket 2001-NM-328-AD.
Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440)
airplanes having serial numbers 7003 through 7067 inclusive and 7069
through 7109 inclusive, certificated in any category; excluding
those airplanes on which the actions specified in Bombardier Service
Bulletin 601R-28-024, dated May 21,1996, have been accomplished.
(This applicability includes airplanes informally identified as
``Series 200.'')
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent a fire hazard due to fuel spillage, accomplish the
following:
Installation
(a) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, install
new vent tube assemblies for the main fuel tanks, per Part A of
paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier
Service Bulletin 601R-28-024, Revision `A', dated November 11, 1998.
Inspection and Corrective Action
(b) For airplanes having serial numbers 7003 through 7035
inclusive, and 7048 through 7057 inclusive: Before further flight
after installing the vent tube assemblies as required by paragraph
(a) of this AD, perform a general visual inspection to measure the
clearance between the vent system tubing and the applicable wing
rib, per Part B of paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions
of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-28-024, Revision `A', dated
November 11, 1998.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure,
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting,
flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''
(1) If the clearance between the vent system tubing and the
applicable wing rib is 0.125 inch or more, no further action is
required by this paragraph.
(2) If the clearance between the vent system tubing and the
applicable wing rib is less than 0.125 inch, prior to further
flight, install the bracket assemblies in accordance with paragraphs
B.(8) through B.(10) of the Accomplishment Instructions of the
service bulletin.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, New York
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-2001-31, dated August 7, 2001.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 11, 2003.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-15326 Filed 6-17-03; 8:45 am]
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