[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 10, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69030-69032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-28338]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-1109; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-155-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) Airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15
(Regional Jet Series 705) Airplanes, and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional
Jet Series 900) 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:
Rudder Travel Limiter (RTL) return spring, part number (P/N) E0650-
069-2750S, failed prior to completion of the required endurance
test. In addition, the replacement RTL return spring, P/N 670-93465-
1 * * * was found to be susceptible to chafing on the primary
actuator, which could also result in eventual dormant spring
failure. There are two return springs in the RTL and if both springs
failed, a subsequent mechanical disconnect of the RTL components
would result in an unannunciated failure of the RTL. This, in turn,
would permit an increase of rudder authority beyond normal
structural limits and, in the event of a strong rudder input,
controllability of the aeroplane could be affected.
* * * * *
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 December 27,
2010.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
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.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., 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., 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Qu[eacute]bec
H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-7401; e-mail
[email protected]; Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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: Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7318; 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-2010-1109;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-155-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://www.regulations.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 aviation
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2010-18, dated June 16, 2010 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''),
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI
states:
Rudder Travel Limiter (RTL) return spring, part number (P/N) E0650-
069-2750S, failed prior to completion of the required endurance
test. In addition, the replacement RTL return spring, P/N 670-93465-
1 (see Note) was found to be susceptible to chafing on the primary
actuator, which could also result in eventual dormant spring
failure. There are two return springs in the RTL and if both springs
failed, a subsequent mechanical disconnect of the RTL components
would result in an unannunciated failure of the RTL. This, in turn,
would permit an increase of rudder authority beyond normal
structural limits and, in the event of a strong rudder input,
controllability of the aeroplane could be affected.
Note: RTL return springs, P/N 670-93465-1, were installed in
production aeroplanes serial number 10266 (CL-600-2C10) and 15182
(CL-600-2D24) respectively and were introduced in-service by
[Bombardier] Service Bulletin (SB) 670BA-27-047. SB 670BA-27-047 has
since been superseded by [Bombardier] SB 670BA-27-055.
This directive mandates repetitive [detailed] inspection of the RTL
[for broken] return springs and [damage through the casing, or
chafing of the casing of the] primary actuator, with replacement of
parts as necessary.
[[Page 69031]]
Corrective actions include replacing any broken return springs with
new return springs, repairing any chafing of the primary actuator on
its casing, and replacing any primary actuator that has damage through
its casing with a new actuator. You may obtain further information by
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Bombardier, Inc. has issued Service Bulletin 670BA-27-055, Revision
A, dated August 6, 2010. 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 477 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 2 work-hours per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed
AD on U.S. operators to be $81,090, or $170 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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.: Docket No. FAA-2010-1109; Directorate Identifier
2010-NM-155-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by December 27, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, serial numbers
10003 and subsequent; and Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series
705) and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes,
serial numbers 15001 and subsequent; certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27: Flight
controls.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
Rudder Travel Limiter (RTL) return spring, part number (P/N) E0650-
069-2750S, failed prior to completion of the required endurance
test. In addition, the replacement RTL return spring, P/N 670-93465-
1 * * * was found to be susceptible to chafing on the primary
actuator, which could also result in eventual dormant spring
failure. There are two return springs in the RTL and if both springs
failed, a subsequent mechanical disconnect of the RTL components
would result in an unannunciated failure of the RTL. This, in turn,
would permit an increase of rudder authority beyond normal
structural limits and, in the event of a strong rudder input,
controllability of the aeroplane could be affected.
* * * * *
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions
have already been done.
Initial Inspections and Replacement/Repair
(g) For airplanes that have accumulated 4,000 or less total flight
hours as of the effective date of this AD: Before the accumulation of
6,000 total flight hours, do a detailed inspection of the RTL for
broken return springs and damage through the casing, or chafing of the
casing of the primary actuator, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-055, Revision A,
dated August 6, 2010. Before further
[[Page 69032]]
flight, replace any broken return springs with new springs, and repair
or replace with a new actuator any chafed or damaged primary actuator,
as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-055, Revision A, dated August 6,
2010. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000
flight hours.
(h) For airplanes that have accumulated more than 4,000 total
flight hours as of the effective date of this AD: Within 2,000 flight
hours after the effective date of this AD, do a detailed inspection of
the RTL for broken return springs and damage through the casing, or
chafing of the casing of the primary actuator, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-
055, Revision A, dated August 6, 2010. Before further flight, replace
any broken return springs with new springs, and repair or replace any
chafed or damaged primary actuator with a new actuator, as applicable,
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier
Service Bulletin 670BA-27-055, Revision A, dated August 6, 2010. Repeat
the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight
hours.
Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service
Information
(i) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-055, dated May 11,
2010, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding
actions specified in this AD.
FAA AD Differences
Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(j) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New
York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, 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: Program
Manager, Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone 516-228-7300;
fax 516-794-5531. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector
(PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking
a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. The
AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(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 (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the
information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number
2120-0056.
Related Information
(k) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2010-18,
dated June 16, 2010; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-055,
Revision A, dated August 6, 2010; for related information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 2, 2010.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-28338 Filed 11-9-10; 8:45 am]
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