[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 23, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13682-13684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-6306]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0273; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-134-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 Series
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:
Two in-service incidents have been reported on DHC-8 Series 400
aircraft in which the nose landing gear (NLG) trailing arm pivot pin
retention bolt (part number NAS6204-13D) was damaged. One incident
involved the left hand NLG tire which ruptured on take-off.
Investigation determined that the retention bolt failure was due to
repeated contact of the castellated nut with the towing device
including both the towbar and the towbarless rigs. The loss of the
retention bolt allowed the pivot pin to migrate from its normal
position and resulted in contact with and rupture of the tire. The
loss of the pivot pin could compromise retention of the trailing arm
and could result in a loss of directional control due to loss of
nose wheel steering. The loss of an NLG tire or the loss of
directional control could adversely affect the aircraft during take
off or landing.
* * * * *
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 May 7, 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
[[Page 13683]]
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: Richard Beckwith, 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) 228-7302; 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-2010-0273;
Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-134-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 have lengthened the 30-day comment period for proposed ADs that
address MCAI originated by aviation authorities of other countries to
provide adequate time for interested parties to submit comments. The
comment period for these proposed ADs is now typically 45 days, which
is consistent with the comment period for domestic transport ADs.
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-
2009-29, dated June 29, 2009 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''),
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI
states:
Two in-service incidents have been reported on DHC-8 Series 400
aircraft in which the nose landing gear (NLG) trailing arm pivot pin
retention bolt (part number NAS6204-13D) was damaged. One incident
involved the left hand NLG tire which ruptured on take-off.
Investigation determined that the retention bolt failure was due to
repeated contact of the castellated nut with the towing device
including both the towbar and the towbarless rigs. The loss of the
retention bolt allowed the pivot pin to migrate from its normal
position and resulted in contact with and rupture of the tire. The
loss of the pivot pin could compromise retention of the trailing arm
and could result in a loss of directional control due to loss of
nose wheel steering. The loss of an NLG tire or the loss of
directional control could adversely affect the aircraft during take
off or landing.
To prevent the potential failure of the pivot pin retention bolt,
Bombardier Aerospace has developed a modification which includes a
new retention bolt, a reverse orientation of the retention bolt and
a rework of the weight on wheel (WOW) proximity sensor cover to
provide clearance for the re-oriented retention bolt.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 84-32-65, Revision A, dated
March 2, 2009. 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 63 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. The average labor rate is $85 per
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $100 per product. Based on
these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators to be $22,365, or $355 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.
[[Page 13684]]
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-2010-0273; Directorate Identifier
2009-NM-134-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by May 7, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, DHC-8-
401, and DHC-8-402 series airplanes, certificated in any category;
serial numbers 4001, 4003, 4004, 4006, and 4008 through 4238
inclusive.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Landing
gear.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
Two in-service incidents have been reported on DHC-8 Series 400
aircraft in which the nose landing gear (NLG) trailing arm pivot pin
retention bolt (part number NAS6204-13D) was damaged. One incident
involved the left hand NLG tire which ruptured on take-off.
Investigation determined that the retention bolt failure was due to
repeated contact of the castellated nut with the towing device
including both the towbar and the towbarless rigs. The loss of the
retention bolt allowed the pivot pin to migrate from its normal
position and resulted in contact with and rupture of the tire. The
loss of the pivot pin could compromise retention of the trailing arm
and could result in a loss of directional control due to loss of
nose wheel steering. The loss of an NLG tire or the loss of
directional control could adversely affect the aircraft during take
off or landing.
To prevent the potential failure of the pivot pin retention
bolt, Bombardier Aerospace has developed a modification which
includes a new retention bolt, a reverse orientation of the
retention bolt and a rework of the weight on wheel (WOW) proximity
sensor cover to provide clearance for the re-oriented retention
bolt.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 2,000 flight hours after the effective date of this
AD: Modify the NLG trailing arm by incorporating Bombardier
Modification Summary 4-113599, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-65, Revision A,
dated March 2, 2009.
(2) Incorporating Bombardier Modification Summary 4-113599 in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier
Service Bulletin 84-32-65, dated December 17, 2008, is also
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f)(1)
of this AD if done before the effective date of 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
(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New
York Aircraft Certification Office, 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 516-794-553. 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
(h) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2009-29,
dated June 29, 2009; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-65,
Revision A, dated March 2, 2009; for related information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 17, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-6306 Filed 3-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P