[Federal Register: March 8, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 44)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 11168-11170]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08mr05-20]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20481; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-183-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106,
-201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -
311, and -315 airplanes. This proposed AD would require operators to
install torque tube catchers on the control columns of the flight
controls. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery that a single
malfunction of the torque tube could result in both flight control
columns being supported by only one self-aligning bearing. We are
proposing this AD to prevent the torque tube from fouling against the
underfloor control cables, which could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 7, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt
Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department
[[Page 11169]]
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, on the plaza
level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket number is
FAA-2005-20481; the directorate identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-
183-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra Sasson, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, 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:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20481;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-183-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our
docket website, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness
authority for Canada, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on
certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311,
and -315 airplanes. TCCA advises that a single shear failure in the
torque tube of the control column, inboard of the self-aligning
bearings on the affected airplanes, could result in the pilot's and co-
pilot's control column being supported by only one self-aligning
bearing. This condition, if not corrected, could cause the torque tube
to foul against the underfloor control cables and result in reduced
controllability of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin S.B.8-27-90, dated October
28, 2003, which describes procedures for installing torque tube
catchers on the control columns of the flight controls. Accomplishing
the actions specified in the service information is intended to
adequately address the unsafe condition. TCCA mandated the service
information and issued airworthiness directive CF-2004-08, dated April
20, 2004, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in
Canada.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are manufactured in Canada and are 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. We have examined TCCA's findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States. Therefore, we are proposing this AD,
which would require operators to install torque tube catchers on the
control columns of the flight controls. The proposed AD would require
you to use the Bombardier service information described previously to
perform these actions, except as discussed under ``Difference Between
the Proposed AD and Canadian AD.''
Difference Between the Proposed AD and Canadian Airworthiness Directive
While the Canadian airworthiness directive applies to certain Model
DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, -314, and -315 series
airplanes, this AD applies only to certain Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106,
-201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes. Model DHC-8-314
series airplanes are not type certificated for operation in the United
States.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 160 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 9 work hours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost
about $490 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of
the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $172,000, or $1,075 per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed AD:
(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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES
[[Page 11170]]
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2005-
20481; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-183-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by April 7, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8 102, -103, -106, -
201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes, serial numbers 003
through 584 inclusive, certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD is prompted by the discovery that a single
malfunction of the torque tube could result in both flight control
columns being supported by only one self-aligning bearing. We are
issuing this AD to prevent the torque tube from fouling against the
underfloor control cables, which could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Installation
(f) Within 5,000 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD, install control column torque tube catchers on the control
columns of the flight controls by incorporating Modsum 8Q101338 in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier
Service Bulletin S.B.8-27-90, dated October 28, 2003.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(g) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, has the
authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(h) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2004-08, dated April 20,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 24, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-4407 Filed 3-7-05; 8:45 am]
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