[Federal Register: September 22, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 183)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 56682-56683]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22se04-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-185-AD; Amendment 39-13801; AD 2004-19-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102 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-8-102 airplanes, that
requires modification of the electrical power circuit. This action is
necessary to prevent component failure in the radar indicator,
resulting in an overcurrent condition and consequent overheating or
burning of an internal component or the ribbon cable. This could lead
to smoke in the cockpit, resulting in incapacitation of the flight crew
and loss of control of the airplane. This action is intended to address
the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective October 27, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 27, 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 FAA, New York Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Ave., 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: Doug Wagner, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Ave., suite 410, Westbury, New York
11590; telephone (516) 228-7306; 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-8-102
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 7, 2004 (69 FR
18306). That action proposed to require modification of the electrical
power circuit.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
Request To Give Credit for Modification Using Alternate Service
Information
The commenter, an operator, requests that a paragraph be added to
the proposed AD giving credit for reconfiguring the circuit breaker
wiring as specified in Allied Signal RDS-86 Weather Radar System Manual
006-05996-0005, Revision 5 or higher. The commenter states that it has
operated the affected Model DHC-8-102 airplanes continually since 1986,
and that the performance of the RDS-86 weather radar system made
consultation with the airplane and equipment manufacturers necessary.
In 1996, the commenter reconfigured certain circuit breakers for the
weather radar system per the equipment manufacturer's recommendations.
The commenter notes that the airplane manufacturer did not provide
documentation for this change until 2002, when it issued Bombardier
Modification Summary Package (ModSum) IS8Q3450000, Revision A, dated
October 15, 2002, which the proposed AD references as the appropriate
source of service information for the proposed requirements.
The FAA does not agree. It is important to maintain proper
configuration of airplane wiring to ensure proper airplane maintenance
by operators. The final rule requires modification of the power circuit
per ModSum IS8Q3450000, Revision A. The ModSum identifies three
installation configurations, and the ModSum installation instructions
identify the correct interface buses to be modified and wires to be
reconfigured. The Allied Signal RDS-86 Weather Radar System Manual
shows only pin connections of the indicator and receiver/transmitter
without any details of unique airplane interconnections. Such limited
information provides no means of showing that appropriate wiring
changes have been made and is insufficient to demonstrate that the
unsafe condition has been addressed properly. We have not changed the
final rule in this regard. However, under the provisions of paragraph
(b) of the final rule, we may consider requests for approval of an
alternative method of compliance if sufficient data are submitted to
substantiate that such a design change would provide an acceptable
level of safety.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 48 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take between 3 work hours and 9 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $150 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $16,560
and $35,280, or between $345 and $735 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.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct
effect on the States, on the relationship between
[[Page 56683]]
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:
2004-19-07 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment
39-13801. Docket 2003-NM-185-AD.
Applicability: Model DHC-8-102 airplanes, serial numbers 023
through 392 inclusive; certificated in any category; equipped with
an RDS86 Weather Radar System, excluding those airplanes equipped
with option CR834CH00284.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent component failure in the radar indicator, resulting
in an overcurrent condition and consequent overheating or burning of
an internal component or the ribbon cable, which could lead to smoke
in the cockpit, resulting in incapacitation of the crew and loss of
control of the airplane; accomplish the following:
Modification
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the electrical power circuit by accomplishing all the actions in the
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Modification Summary
Package (ModSum) IS8Q3450000, Revision A, dated October 15, 2002; as
applicable. Do the actions per the ModSum.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) 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.
Incorporation by Reference
(c) The actions shall be done in accordance with Bombardier
Modification Summary Package IS8Q3450000, Revision A, dated October
15, 2002. (The date of the Modification Summary Package only appears
on the first page of the document.) 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 (ACO), 1600 Stewart Ave., 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 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-2003-13, effective June 20, 2003.
Effective Date
(d) This amendment becomes effective on October 27 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 14, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-21174 Filed 9-21-04; 8:45 am]
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