[Federal Register: April 7, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 67)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 18306-18308]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07ap04-16]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-185-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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[[Page 18307]]
SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102
airplanes. This proposal would require 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: Comments must be received by May 7, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-185-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. 2003-NM-185-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 New York Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Ave., Westbury, New York.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Wagner, Electrical Systems
Engineer, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600
Stewart Ave., Westbury, New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7306; 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 2003-NM-185-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. 2003-NM-185-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness
authority for Canada, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition exists
on certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102 airplanes. TCCA advises that it
has received reports of smoke in the cockpit. The cause has been
attributed to insufficient circuit protection being provided by the
existing circuit breaker in the avionics circuit breaker panel leading
to 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 condition, if not
corrected, could lead to smoke in the cockpit, resulting in
incapacitation of the flight crew and loss of control of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Modification Summary Package (ModSum)
IS8Q3450000, Revision A, released October 16, 2002, which describes
procedures for modification of the electrical power circuit. The
modification includes replacing the 7.5 ampere (amp) circuit breaker on
the avionics circuit breaker panel with a new 5.0 amp circuit breaker;
installing an additional 3.0 amp circuit breaker for the radar
indicator; re-terminating existing connecting wires; taping and stowing
existing wires; adding new wires (routing new wires with existing
wires); and performing an operational test of the weather radar system;
as applicable. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the ModSum is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. TCCA
classified this ModSum as mandatory and issued Canadian airworthiness
directive CF-2003-13, effective June 20, 2003, to ensure 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
Sec. 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 require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the ModSum described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 48 Model DHC-8-102 airplanes of U.S.
registry would be affected by this proposed AD. The average labor rate
is $65 per work hour and the estimated time to accomplish this proposed
AD is between 3 work hours and 9 work hours
[[Page 18308]]
per airplane. Required parts would cost $150 per airplane. Total
estimated cost would 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 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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): 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 from 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, released October 16, 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.
Note 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-2003-13, effective June 20, 2003.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 30, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7889 Filed 4-6-04; 8:45 am]
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