[Federal Register: August 31, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 169)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 50288-50290]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31au07-21]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-29066; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-147-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), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
It has been discovered in several cases that clamp bolts of the
elevator spring tab mechanism were not installed in the correct
orientation. Bolts have been found installed with bolt heads on the
lower position and in two cases, some bolts, nuts and washers
[hardware] were found to be loose or missing. Detachment of an
elevator spring tab mechanism clamp bolt could lead to jamming of
the elevator control system and reduced controllability of the
aircraft.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 1, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
[[Page 50289]]
Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Parrillo, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7305; fax (516) 794-5531.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
29066; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-147-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on 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 we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2007-08, dated June 4, 2007 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''),
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI
states:
It has been discovered in several cases that clamp bolts of the
elevator spring tab mechanism were not installed in the correct
orientation. Bolts have been found installed with bolt heads on the
lower position and in two cases, some bolts, nuts and washers
[hardware] were found to be loose or missing. Detachment of an
elevator spring tab mechanism clamp bolt could lead to jamming of
the elevator control system and reduced controllability of the
aircraft.
The MCAI requires a one-time inspection of the left- and right-hand
elevator spring tab mechanism hardware for correct installation, and
prior to further flight, installing new hardware for any hardware that
is incorrectly installed. You may obtain further information by
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 8-27-106, dated February 7,
2006. The actions described in this service information are intended to
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a Note within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 150 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 3 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. Required parts would cost about $0
per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs
that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no
charge for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for
affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated
here. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to
be $36,000, or $240 per product.
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 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 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. 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.
[[Page 50290]]
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 AD:
Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2007-
29066; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-147-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by October 1, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -
201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes; certificated in any
category; serial numbers 003 through 611 inclusive.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27: Flight
controls.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
It has been discovered in several cases that clamp bolts of the
elevator spring tab mechanism were not installed in the correct
orientation. Bolts have been found installed with bolt heads on the
lower position and in two cases, some bolts, nuts and washers
[hardware] were found to be loose or missing. Detachment of an
elevator spring tab mechanism clamp bolt could lead to jamming of
the elevator control system and reduced controllability of the
aircraft.
The MCAI requires a one-time inspection of the left- and right-
hand elevator spring tab mechanism hardware for correct
installation, and prior to further flight, installing new hardware
for any hardware that is incorrectly installed.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Carry
out a one-time inspection of the left- and right-hand elevator
spring tab mechanism hardware for correct installation according to
the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-27-
106, dated February 7, 2006.
(2) If any hardware is found incorrectly installed during the
inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, prior to further
flight, install new hardware according to the Accomplishment
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-27-106, dated February
7, 2006.
FAA AD Differences
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New
York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Dan Parrillo, Aerospace
Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York
Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7305; fax (516) 794-
5531. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the
AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in
the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI,
your local FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2007-08,
dated June 4, 2007, and Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-27-106, dated
February 7, 2006, for related information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 17, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-17282 Filed 8-30-07; 8:45 am]
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