[Federal Register: May 7, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 89)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 25503-25505]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07my04-12]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-234-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 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
DHC-8-400 airplanes. That AD currently requires revising the Normal and
Abnormal sections of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include
procedures that enable the flightcrew to determine if the main landing
gear (MLG) is extended before landing, and to take appropriate actions
if necessary. This new action would add an airplane to the
applicability, and require replacing the existing MLG downlock
proximity sensors with new, improved sensors. After the replacement,
this action would also require removing from the AFM the revision to
the Normal and Abnormal sections require by the existing AD. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of
the MLG downlock proximity sensors on the same MLG at the same time,
which could result in the MLG's failure to extend during landing, and
cause injury to flightcrew and passengers.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 7, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-234-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. Commments 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. 2002-NM-234-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., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division,
123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, 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, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York
11590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Parillo, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York 11590;
telephone (516) 228-7305; fax (516) 794-5531.
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:
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.
For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
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 2002-NM-234-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. 2002-NM-234-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On May 25, 2001, the FAA issued AD 2001-11-10, amendment 39-12253
(66 FR 30305, June 6, 2001), applicable to certain Bombardier Model
DHC-8-400 series airplanes, to require revising the Normal and Abnormal
sections of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include procedures that
enable the flightcrew to determine if the main landing gear (MLG) is
extended before landing and to take appropriate actions if necessary.
That action was prompted by notification from Transport Canada Civil
Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness authority for Canada, that
MLG downlock proximity sensors may fail concurrently on the same gear.
The requirements of that AD are intended to ensure that the flightcrew
is advised of a potential gear-up landing due to misleading indications
for the MLG extension, and has the procedures necessary to address that
potential condition.
[[Page 25504]]
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
The preamble to AD 2001-11-10 explains that we considered the
requirements of that AD ``interim action'' and were considering further
rulemaking. We now have determined that further rulemaking is indeed
necessary, and this proposed AD follows from that determination.
We also have revised the applicability of the existing AD to
include an additional airplane that was inadvertently omitted from the
applicability of Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2001-16, dated
April 11, 2001, which was used as a source of applicability information
for AD 2001-11-10. Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2001-16R1, dated
June 3, 2002, has since been issued to include the additional airplane
and is used as a source for applicability information in this proposed
AD.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 84-32-09, Revision A, dated
November 20, 2001, which describes procedures for replacing the
existing MLG downlock proximity sensors with new, improved proximity
sensors, and rigging the new sensors in accordance with the airplane
maintenance manual. 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-2001-16R1, dated June 3, 2002, to
ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.
The Bombardier service bulletin references Menasco Aerospace
Service Bulletin 46400-32-09, dated May 15, 2001, as an additional
source of service information for accomplishment of the replacement.
The Menasco service bulletin is included in the Bombardier service
bulletin.
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 2001-11-10 to
continue to require revising the Normal and Abnormal sections of the
AFM to include procedures that enable the flightcrew to determine if
the MLG is extended before landing, and to take appropriate actions if
necessary. This new action would add an airplane to the applicability.
This new action also would require replacing the existing MLG downlock
proximity sensors with new, improved proximity sensors and rigging the
new sensors in accordance with the airplane maintenance manual. After
the replacement, this new action would also require removing from the
AFM the revision to the Normal and Abnormal sections required by the
existing AD. The actions would be required to be accomplished in
accordance with the service bulletin described previously, except as
discussed below.
Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Menasco Service Bulletin
Operators should note that, although the Menasco service bulletin
contains procedures for returning certain parts to the manufacturer (BF
Goodrich), this proposed AD would not include this requirement.
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, we
no longer need to include it in each individual AD; therefore,
paragraphs (b) and (c) and Note 1 of AD 2001-11-10 are not included in
this proposed AD. However, this proposed AD identifies the office
authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 15 airplanes of U.S. registry that would
affected by this proposed AD.
The revision of the AFM that is currently required by AD 2001-11-10
takes approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $975, or $65 per airplane.
The replacement that is proposed in this AD action would take
approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would be provided free
of charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed
requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,900, or
$260 per airplane.
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.
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 my be the
Administrator, the Federal Administration proposes to amend part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
[[Page 25505]]
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 39-12253 (66 FR
30305, June 6, 2001), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD),
to read as follows:
Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Docket 2002-NM-234-
AD. Supersedes AD 2001-11-10, Amendment 39-12253.
Applicability: Model DHC 8-400 airplanes, serial numbers 4001
through 4055 inclusive; certified in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the main landing gear (MLG) downlock
proximity sensors on the same MLG at the same time, which could
result in the MLG's failure to extent during landing, and cause
injury to flightcrew and passengers, accomplish the following:
Restatement of the Requirements of AD 2001-11-10
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision
(a) Within 14 days after June 21, 2001 (the effective date of AD
2001-11-10, amendment 39-12253), revise the Normal and Abnormal
sections of the airplane flight manual (AFM) by inserting the
following into Section 4.21, opposite page 4.21.1. This may be
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.
``CAUTION
If illumination of LEFT gear safe (green), and LEFT gear unsafe
(red), and landing gear handle (amber) advisory lights with the
landing gear handle in the up position.
Or
Illumination of RIGHT gear safe (green), and RIGHT gear unsafe
(red), and landing gear handle (amber) advisory lights with the
landing gear handling in the up position.
1. Perform an Alternative Landing Gear extension, See paragraph
4.21.
WARNING
Selection of the gear down without following the Alternate
Landing Gear Extension procedure may result in the affected gear
being trapped inside the nacelle.
2.Visually inspect Main Landing Gear to confirm that it has been
extended.
WARNING
A down and locked indication of the affected main landing gear
is not a valid indication of the gear position.
3. Insert hydraulic pump handle in socket and operate for a
minimum of 12 full strokes and ensure resistance to pump handle
movement.
4. Observe the LEFT gear safe (green) and RIGHT gear safe
(green) advisory lights are illuminated and the LEFT gear unsafe
(red) and RIGHT gear unsafe (red) and the landing handle (amber)
advisory lights are extinguished.''
New Requirements of This AD
Replacement
(b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace
the left-hand and right-hand MLG downlock proximity sensors with
new, improved sensors having new part numbers, per the
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-09,
Revision A, dated November 20, 2001. Once the sensors have been
replaced, the AFM revision required by paragraph (a) of this AD must
be removed from the AFM.
Note: Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-09 references Menasco
Aerospace Service Bulletin 46400-32-09, dated May 15, 2001, as an
additional source of service information for accomplishment of the
replacement. The Mensacso service bulletin is included in the
Bombardier service bombardier service bulletin.
Replacements Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin
(c) Replacements accomplished before the effective date of this
AD per Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-09, dated May 18, 2001, are
considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action
specified in this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, New York
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCS) for this AD.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-2001-16R1, dated June 3, 2002.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 27, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10384 Filed 5-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M