[Federal Register: March 17, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 51)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 12981-12982]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17mr05-8]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20628; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-51-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-301, -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-8-301, -311, and -315 airplanes. This
proposed AD would require replacing the pressure control valve of the
Type 1 emergency door. This proposed AD is prompted by reports that the
pressure control valve of the Type 1 emergency door is susceptible to
freezing. We are proposing this AD to ensure that the pressure control
valve does not freeze and prevent the door seal from deflating, which
could result in the inability to open the door in an emergency.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 18, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment 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 of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401,
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket
number is FAA-2005-20628; the directorate identifier for this docket is
2004-NM-51-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra Sasson, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment 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 send us any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20628;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-51-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 Web site, 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-8-301, -311, and -315 airplanes. TCCA
advises that field reports indicate that several operators experienced
difficulties with the operation of the Type 1 emergency door. The
existing pressure control valve of the Type 1 emergency door is
susceptible to freezing. A frozen valve could prevent the door seal
from deflating, which could result in the inability to open the door in
an emergency.
Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 8-52-60, dated August 28,
2002. The service bulletin describes procedures for replacing the
pressure control valve of the Type 1 emergency door with a new pressure
control valve by incorporating ModSum 8Q101159. The replacement
includes additional rework to the door actuation mechanism.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. TCCA mandated the
service information and issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-
2003-04, dated February 3, 2003, 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. In keeping with 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 AD action is
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
described previously.
[[Page 12982]]
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 13 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 6 work hours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost
about $700 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of
the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $14,170, or $1,090 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 would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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 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-
20628; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-51-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by April 18, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -
315 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 100
through 593 inclusive.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports that the pressure control
valve of the Type 1 emergency door is susceptible to freezing. We
are issuing this AD to ensure that the pressure control valve does
not freeze and prevent the door seal from deflating, which could
result in the inability to open the door in an emergency.
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.
Replace Pressure Control Valve
(f) Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the pressure control valve of the Type 1 emergency door by
incorporating ModSum 8Q101159 in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-52-60, dated August
28, 2002.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(h) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2003-04, dated February
3, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 8, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5295 Filed 3-16-05; 8:45 am]
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