[Federal Register: June 29, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 124)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38812-38813]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29jn04-2]
[[Page 38812]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-297-AD; Amendment 39-13691; AD 2004-13-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -
315 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -315
airplanes. This AD requires determining the modification number of the
angle of attack (AOA) sensor vanes; testing the movement of the
affected vanes to evaluate sticking against both the upper and the
lower vane travel end stops; and corrective action, if necessary. This
action is necessary to prevent an incorrect AOA indication to the stall
warning system in flight, which could result in an inadvertent stall
and consequent loss of control of the airplane. This action is intended
to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective August 3, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 3, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington; or 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
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra Sasson, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, New York Aircraft
Certification Office, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410, Westbury,
New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7320; fax (516) 794-5531.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-
301, -311, and -315 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
April 26, 2004 (69 FR 22461). That action proposed to require
determining the modification number of the angle of attack (AOA) sensor
vanes; testing the movement of the affected vanes to evaluate sticking
against both the upper and the lower vane travel end stops; and
corrective action, if necessary.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We have determined that air safety and the public interest require
the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
We estimate that 57 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by
this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to
accomplish the proposed inspection to determining the modification
letter, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $3,705, or $65 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2004-13-09 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment
39-13691. Docket 2002-NM-297-AD.
Applicability: Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -315 airplanes, serial
numbers 100 through 583, inclusive; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent an incorrect angle of attack (AOA) indication to the
stall warning system in flight, which could result in an inadvertent
stall and consequent loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
Service Bulletin References
(a) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-
27-94, Revision `A', dated February 5, 2002.
Note 1: Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-27-94, Revision
`A', references Rosemount Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 0861CAB-
27A-07, dated September 28, 2001, as an additional source of service
information for testing the AOA sensors. The Rosemount service
bulletin is included in the Bombardier service bulletin.
[[Page 38813]]
Inspection to Determine Modification
(b) Within 1,000 flight hours or 18 months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the right and left
AOA sensor vanes to determine whether modification (MOD) `J' has
been incorporated. Instead of inspecting the sensors, a review of
airplane maintenance records is acceptable if the MOD level of the
sensor can be positively determined from that review. If MOD `J' has
been incorporated in both sensors, no further action is required by
this paragraph.
Movement Tests
(c) For any AOA sensor vane that does not have MOD `J'
installed: Prior to further flight following the inspection required
by paragraph (b) of this AD, do a movement test of the AOA sensor
vane per the service bulletin.
(d) If the result of the movement test in paragraph (c) of this
AD is less than 110 grams, repeat the movement test prior to the
accumulation of 5,000 flight hours or 24 months after accomplishing
the initial test, whichever occurs first. Do the test per the
service bulletin.
Corrective Action
(e) If the result of any movement test in paragraph (c) or
paragraph (d) of this AD is 110 grams or more, replace the AOA
sensor vane with a reworked MOD `J' sensor vane, per the service
bulletin, at the applicable time in paragraph (e)(1), (e)(2), or
(e)(3) of this AD.
(1) If the result of the movement test in paragraph (c) of this
AD is between 110 and 169 grams inclusive, replace the sensor vane
at the earlier of 1,000 flight hours, or 18 months after
accomplishing the movement test in paragraph (c) of this AD.
(2) If the result of any repeat movement test in paragraph (d)
of this AD is between 110 and 169 grams inclusive, replace the
sensor vane at the earlier of 1,000 flight hours or 6 months after
accomplishing the movement test in paragraph (d) of this AD.
(3) If the result of the movement test is 170 grams or more,
replace the sensor vane within 5 days after the accomplishing the
movement test in paragraph (c) or paragraph (d) of this AD.
Parts Installation
(f) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
sensor vane, part number 861CAB, on any airplane unless MOD ``J''
has been incorporated.
Reporting and Parts Modification
(g) Although the Rosemount service bulletin contains procedures
for sending test findings to the manufacturer, and for sending
removed parts to the manufacturer for modification, this AD does not
require those actions.
Actions Accomplished Per Previous Release of Service Bulletin
(h) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD
per Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-27-94, dated October 25,
2001, are considered acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding action specified in this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(i) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, New York
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(j) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be
done in accordance with Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-27-94,
Revision ``A'', dated February 5, 2002. This incorporation by
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft
Division, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada.
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, New York
Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410,
Westbury, New York; or 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
.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-2001-46, dated December 3, 2001.
Effective Date
(k) This amendment becomes effective on August 3, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 16, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-14319 Filed 6-28-04; 8:45 am]
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