[Federal Register: November 2, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 212)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64482-64484]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02no06-15]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26217; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-209-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 Series
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-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed
AD would require revising the Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI) of
the maintenance requirements manual to require additional inspection
requirements of the maintenance requirements manual for certain
principal structural elements (PSEs) related to fuselage cutouts and to
reduce an inspection threshold for an existing ALI task on the aft
entry door. This proposed AD results from data obtained from the
manufacturer's fatigue testing. We are proposing this AD to detect and
correct fatigue cracking of certain PSEs, which could result in reduced
structural integrity of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 4,
2006.
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.
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.
[[Page 64483]]
Contact Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division,
123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada, for the
service information identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Duckett, 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) 228-7325; 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
26217; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-209-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 received 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
that 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 may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may 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 Docket Management System
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-8-400 series airplanes. TCCA advises that
results from data obtained from the manufacturer's fatigue testing for
cracking require new additional inspection requirements for certain
principal structural elements (PSEs) related to fuselage cutouts, and a
reduced inspection threshold for an existing ALI task on the aft entry
door. Fatigue cracking of certain PSEs, if not corrected, could result
in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Temporary Revisions ALI-53, dated February
16, 2006, and ALI-54, dated March 27, 2006, to the Airworthiness
Limitations Items (ALI), Part 2, Section 2, of the Bombardier Q400 Dash
8 Maintenance Requirements Manual, PSM 1-84-7. The TRs describe
additional inspection requirements for principal structural elements
(PSEs) related to fuselage cutouts and revise an existing ALI task on
the aft entry door with a reduced threshold inspection. 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-2006-10,
dated May 12, 2006, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in Canada.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This airplane model is manufactured in Canada and is 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, the TCCA has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. We have examined the TCCA's findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes 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 Temporary Revisions
described previously.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 21 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $1,680, or $80
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 and placed it in the AD docket. 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:
[[Page 64484]]
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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2006-
26217; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-209-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by December
4, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series
airplanes, serial numbers 4001, 4003, 4004, 4006, and 4008 through
4126 inclusive, certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from data obtained from the manufacturer's
fatigue testing. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct
fatigue cracking of certain principal structural elements (PSEs),
which could result in reduced structural integrity 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.
Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must
request approval for an alternative method of compliance according
to paragraph (g) of this AD. The request should include a
description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure
the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA
has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular
(AC) 25-1529-1.
Maintenance Requirements Manual Revision
(f) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI), Part 2, Section 2, of the
Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance Requirements Manual, PSM 1-84-7,
by incorporating the information in Bombardier Temporary Revisions
(TR) ALI-53, dated February 16, 2006, and ALI-54, dated March 27,
2006. Thereafter, except as provided in paragraph (g) of this AD, no
alternative structural inspection intervals may be approved for the
fuselage and doors as specified in the TRs.
Note 2: The actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD may be
done by inserting copies of TR ALI-53, dated February 16, 2006, and
TR ALI-54, dated March 27, 2006; into the ALI, Part 2, Section 2, of
the Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance Requirements Manual, PSM 1-
84-7. When TRs ALI-53 and ALI-54 have been included in the general
revisions of the maintenance requirements manual, the general
revisions may be inserted into the maintenance requirements manual,
provided the relevant information in the general revision is
identical to that in TRs ALI-53 and ALI-54.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g)(1) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Related Information
(h) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2006-10, dated May 12,
2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 25, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-18461 Filed 11-1-06; 8:45 am]
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