[Federal Register: January 13, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 8)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 1566-1568]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13ja03-21]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-NM-311-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional
Jet Series 100) Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Bombardier Model
CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet series 100) series airplanes, that currently
requires repetitive lubrication with grease of the sliding shaft of the
input plunger of the brake control valve assembly. This action would
add requirements for modifying the brake control valve assembly, and
subsequent repetitive lubrications of the valve. Accomplishment of the
modification would terminate the repetitive lubrications of the sliding
shaft of the input plunger required by the existing AD. This proposal
is prompted by reports of temporary loss of braking action upon
landing. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to
prevent temporary loss of braking action due to the freezing of
moisture of the input plunger of the brake control valve during steep
descent.
DATES: Comments must be received by February 12, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000NM-311-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:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-311-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 for Windows 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: Dan Parrillo, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft
Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New
York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7505; 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 notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2000-NM-311-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. 2000-NM-311-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On January 12, 1994, the FAA issued AD 93-21-04, amendment 39-8801
(59 FR 2952, January 20, 1994), applicable to certain Bombardier Model
CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet series 100) series airplanes, to require
repetitive lubrication with grease of the sliding shaft of the input
plunger of the brake control valve assembly. That action was prompted
by reports of temporary loss of braking action upon landing. The
requirements of that AD are intended to prevent temporary loss of
braking action due to the freezing of moisture on the input plunger of
the brake control valve during steep descent.
Action Since Issuance of Previous Rule
Since the issuance of that AD, Transport Canada Civil Aviation
(TCCA), which is the airworthiness authority for Canada, issued
Canadian airworthiness directive CF-93-26R2, dated January 18, 1994, in
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in
Canada. The Canadian airworthiness directive requires, among other
things, modifying the brake control valve assembly by installing new
greasing provisions, and subsequent repetitive lubrications of the
valve using the newly installed grease fittings.
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin S.B. 601R-32-017, dated
November 9, 1993. The service bulletin describes procedures for
modification of the brake control valve assembly, and subsequent
repetitive lubrications of the valve. Accomplishment of the
modification eliminates the need for the existing repetitive
lubrications of the sliding shaft of the input plunger required by AD
93-21-04. The modification includes installing a new crossbeam assembly
into the dual-brake
[[Page 1567]]
control valve, torquing bolts, and inspecting for leaks. The new
crossbeam assembly incorporates a lubrication fitting to allow
lubrication of the brake control valve plungers. 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 in order to assure 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 supersede AD 93-21-04 to
continue to require lubrication with grease of the sliding shaft of the
input plunger of the brake control valve assembly. The proposed AD
would add requirements for modifying the brake control valve assembly;
and subsequent repetitive lubrications of the valve. Accomplishment of
the modification would terminate the repetitive lubrications of the
sliding shaft of the input plunger. The new actions would be required
to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described
previously.
Differences Between Proposed Rule and Canadian Airworthiness Directive
The proposed AD would differ from the parallel Canadian
airworthiness directive in that it would NOT require the following
actions:
[sbull] Revising the Airplane Flight Manual to provide the
flightcrew with operational procedures for abnormal brake-pedal action;
and
[sbull] Cleaning and drying the bushings and plungers, and applying
lubricant to these components.
We have determined that these actions are unnecessary because those
actions are intended to mitigate the identified unsafe condition before
accomplishment of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-32-017. The
modification of the brake control valve assembly and subsequent
lubrication schedule specified in that service bulletin render the
preceding actions unnecessary. TCCA has no objections to our proposed
requirements.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 2 Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet series
100) series airplanes of U.S. registry that are affected by AD 93-21-
04. The actions that are currently required by that AD take
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $120, or $60 per airplane.
There are approximately 194 Model CL-600-2B19 series airplanes of
U.S. registry that would be affected by this proposed AD.
The modification that is proposed in this AD action would take
approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $3,812 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the proposed modification of this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $786,088, or $4,052 per airplane.
The lubrication of the brake control valve that is proposed in this
AD action would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of this proposed lubrication of this AD
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $11,640, or $60 per airplane, per
lubrication.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or 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 removing amendment 39-8801 (59 FR
2952, January 20, 1994), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), to read as follows:
Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Docket 2000-NM-311-AD.
Supersedes AD 93-21-04, Amendment 39-8801.
Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet series 100) series
airplanes, serial numbers 7003 and subsequent, certificated in any
category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For
[[Page 1568]]
airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the
performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/
operator must request approval for an alternative method of
compliance in accordance with paragraph (d)(1) of this AD. The
request should include an assessment of the effect of the
modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent temporary loss of braking action due to the freezing
of moisture on the input plunger of the brake control valve during
steep descent, accomplish the following:
Requirements of AD 93-21-04
Lubrications
(a) Within 3 days after February 4, 1994 (the effective date of
AD 93-21-04, amendment 39-8801), and thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 3 days, lubricate with grease the sliding shaft of the input
plunger of the brake control valve assembly per Canadair Regional
Jet Alert Service Bulletin S.B.A601R-32-016, dated October 14, 1993,
until modification of the brake control valve, as required by
paragraph (b) of this AD, is accomplished.
New Actions Required By This AD
Modification
(b) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify
the brake control valve assembly by accomplishing all the actions
specified in Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 601R-32-017, dated
November 9, 1993, per the service bulletin. Such modification
terminates the repetitive lubrications of the sliding shaft of the
input plunger of the brake control valve assembly required by
paragraph (a) of this AD.
Repetitive Lubrications
(c) Within 1,500 flight hours after doing the modification
required by paragraph (b) of this AD, and thereafter at intervals of
1,500 flight hours, lubricate with grease the brake control valve
per paragraph 2.B.(18) of the Accomplishment Instructions of
Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 601R-32-017, dated November 9,
1993.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d)(1) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add
comments and then send it to the Manager, New York ACO.
(2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in
accordance with AD 93-21-04, amendment 39-8801, are approved as
alternative methods of compliance with this AD.
Special Flight Permits
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-93-26R2, dated January 18, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 7, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-642 Filed 1-10-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P