[Federal Register: August 9, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 152)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 48135-48138]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09au04-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-132-AD; Amendment 39-13769; AD 2004-16-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -
402 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-8-400, -401, and -402
airplanes. This AD requires an inspection to determine the serial
number of the spoiler lift dump valves installed on the inboard and
outboard spoilers, and replacement of certain spoiler lift dump valves.
This AD also provides for revising the airplane flight manual to
include performance penalties, which
[[Page 48136]]
allows the replacement of affected spoiler lift dump valves to be
deferred. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the ground
spoilers to deploy on the ground, which could result in overrunning the
end of the runway in the event of a rejected takeoff. This action is
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective September 13, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 13, 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; 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
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra Sasson, 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 (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-
400, -401, and -402 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
March 5, 2004 (69 FR 10375). That action proposed to require an
inspection to determine the serial number of the spoiler lift dump
valves installed on the inboard and outboard spoilers, and replacement
of certain spoiler lift dump valves. That action also proposed to
provide for revising the airplane flight manual to include performance
penalties, which would allow the replacement of affected spoiler lift
dump valves to be deferred.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. The FAA has duly considered the
comments received.
Support for the Proposed AD
One commenter supports the proposed AD.
Request To Give Credit for Original Issue of Service Bulletin
One commenter requests that we give credit for accomplishing the
proposed actions per the original issue of Bombardier Service Bulletin
84-27-12, dated September 7, 2001. The commenter states that doing the
original issue of the service bulletin achieves the same intent as the
later revision of the service bulletin, which is referenced in the
proposed AD as the appropriate source of service information for the
proposed actions, and no additional work is specified in the later
revision of the service bulletin.
We concur that actions required by this AD that were done before
the effective date of this AD per the original issue of Bombardier
Service Bulletin 84-27-12 are acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding requirements of this AD.
In addition, we have become aware that there are two identical
service bulletins identified as Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-12,
Revision ``A''--one dated December 12, 2001 (as referenced in the
proposed AD), and one dated October 23, 2003. Bombardier investigated
this discrepancy and determined that Revision ``A'' of the service
bulletin, dated December 12, 2001, was sent to Transport Canada Civil
Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness authority for Canada, for
review and concurrence at the same time the Canadian airworthiness
directive was issued. TCCA concurred with Revision ``A'' of the service
bulletin; however, Bombardier did not receive a written acceptance of
Revision ``A'' at that time. Thus, Revision ``A'' of the service
bulletin was on hold and wasn't released until Bombardier requested and
received a written confirmation of TCCA's acceptance of the service
bulletin in October 2003. Revision ``A'' of the service bulletin was
officially released on October 23, 2003. However, we recognize that it
is possible that members of the public may have copies of Revision
``A'' of the service bulletin bearing the date December 12, 2001. Thus,
we find it necessary to provide credit for actions done per Revision
``A'' of the service bulletin, dated December 12, 2001. Accordingly, we
have revised paragraphs (a) and (b)(1) and Note 1 of this AD to refer
to Revision ``A'' of the service bulletin, dated October 23, 2003, as
the acceptable source of service information for the actions required
by those paragraphs. We have also added a new paragraph (d), and re-
identified subsequent paragraphs accordingly, to give credit for
actions done per the original issue of the service bulletin, or
Revision ``A,'' dated December 12, 2001.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously.
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Cost Impact
We estimate that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by
this AD.
It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the required inspection to determine the serial number of the spoiler
lift dump valves, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based
on these figures, the cost impact of this inspection on U.S. operators
is estimated to be $650, or $65 per airplane.
For airplanes equipped with spoiler lift dump valves in the
affected serial number range, it will take approximately 2 work hours
per airplane to accomplish the required replacement, at an average
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the
parts manufacturer at no charge. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of this replacement is estimated to be $130 per airplane.
Should an operator elect to accomplish the AFM revision that allows
deferral of the replacement, it will take 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 this AFM revision, if
accomplished, will be $65 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.
[[Page 48137]]
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:
2004-16-13 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment
39-13769. Docket 2002-NM-132-AD.
Applicability: Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes; serial
numbers 4005, 4006, 4008 through 4015 inclusive, and 4018 through
4052 inclusive; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the ground spoilers to deploy on the
ground, which could result in overrunning the end of the runway in
the event of a rejected takeoff, accomplish the following:
Inspection To Determine Serial Number
(a) Within 45 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time inspection of the spoiler lift dump valves on the inboard
and outboard spoilers to determine the serial number, per Bombardier
Service Bulletin 84-27-12, Revision ``A,'' dated October 23, 2003.
(1) For any spoiler lift dump valve with a serial number from
5164 through 5264 inclusive or 5267 through 5279 inclusive,
accomplish paragraph (b) of this AD.
(2) For any spoiler lift dump valve with a serial number outside
the ranges specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, no further
action is required by this paragraph.
Replacement of Spoiler Lift Dump Valves
(b) For any spoiler lift dump valve with a serial number from
5164 through 5264 inclusive or 5267 through 5279 inclusive:
Accomplish paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD.
(1) Except as provided by paragraph (b)(2) of this AD: Before
further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (a) of
this AD, replace the affected spoiler lift dump valve with a new or
serviceable valve that has a serial number outside the range
specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, or with a valve having a
serial number with the suffix ``A,'' which indicates that the valve
has been modified to correct the defect. Do this replacement per
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-12, Revision ``A,'' dated October
23, 2003.
Note 1: Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-12, Revision ``A,''
dated October 23, 2003, refers to Parker Service Bulletin 395800-27-
229, dated September 11, 2001, as an additional source of service
information for accomplishing the replacement of the spoiler lift
dump valves. The Parker service bulletin is included within the
Bombardier service bulletin.
(2) Do paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (b)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Before further flight after the inspection required by
paragraph (a) of this AD, revise the Limitations section of the de
Havilland DHC-8-400 airplane flight manual (AFM) to include the
information on performance penalties included in Table 1 of this AD.
This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the
AFM.
Table 1.--Performance Penalty for Suspect Lift Dump Valves
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Accelerate--Stop Distance
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Flap 5[deg]........................... Increase 2%............. (Figures 5-5-4 and 5-5-5).
Flap 10[deg].......................... Increase 2%............. (Figures 5-5-9 and 5-5-10).
Flap 15[deg].......................... Increase 3%............. (Figures 5-5-14 and 5-5-15).
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Landing Distance
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Flap 10[deg].......................... Increase 3%............. (Figures 5-11-1 and 5-11-4).
Flap 15[deg].......................... Increase 5%............. (Figures 5-11-2 and 5-11-4).
Flap 35[deg].......................... Increase 11%............ (Figures 5-11-3 and 5-11-4).
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(ii) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do
paragraph (b)(1) of this AD. Once the requirements of paragraph
(b)(1) of this AD have been accomplished, the AFM revision required
by paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
Parts Installation
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
spoiler lift dump valve having a serial number listed in paragraph
(a)(1) of this AD, unless the valve's serial number includes a
suffix of ``A'' to indicate that it has been modified to remove the
defect that is the subject of this AD.
Actions Accomplished per Previous Issues of Service Bulletin
(d) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD
per Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-12, dated September 7, 2001;
and actions accomplished per Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-12,
Revision ``A,'' dated December 12, 2001; are considered acceptable
for compliance with the corresponding actions specified in this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(e) 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
(f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be
done in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-12,
Revision ``A,'' dated October 23, 2003. 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.
[[Page 48138]]
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 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-2001-44, dated December 3, 2001.
Effective Date
(g) This amendment becomes effective on September 13, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 30, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-17980 Filed 8-6-04; 8:45 am]
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