[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17362-17364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7289]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0260; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-242-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:
Several reports have been received on the elevator power control
units (PCUs) where the shaft (tailstock) swaged bearing liners had
shown a higher than normal rate of wear. Investigation revealed that
the excessive wear was due to the paint contamination between the
bearing roller and bearing liner. The bearing paint contamination is
known to be abrasive and could seize the bearing.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to excessive
airframe vibrations and difficulties in aircraft pitch control.
* * * * *
The unsafe condition is loss of controllability. 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 13, 2011.
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.
[[Page 17363]]
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., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt Boulevard,
Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone 416-375-4000; fax 416-375-
4539; 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 (ACO), 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-2011-0260;
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-242-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, which is the aviation authority
for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2010-28,
dated August 20, 2010 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI
states:
Several reports have been received on the elevator power control
units (PCUs) where the shaft (tailstock) swaged bearing liners had
shown a higher than normal rate of wear. Investigation revealed that
the excessive wear was due to the paint contamination between the
bearing roller and bearing liner. The bearing paint contamination is
known to be abrasive and could seize the bearing.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to excessive
airframe vibrations and difficulties in aircraft pitch control.
This directive mandates a free-play check of the shaft swaged
bearing installed in the elevator PCU tailstock end and replacement
of the shaft swaged bearings if excessive free-play is found.
The unsafe condition is loss of controllability. You may obtain further
information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 84-27-52, dated May 25,
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 66 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 $11,220, or $170 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 3 work-hours and require parts costing $33, for a cost of
$288 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products
that may need these actions.
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
[[Page 17364]]
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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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-2011-0260; Directorate Identifier
2010-NM-242-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by May 13, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401,
and -402 airplanes having serial numbers (S/Ns) 4001 through 4304
inclusive; 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:
Several reports have been received on the elevator power control
units (PCUs) where the shaft (tailstock) swaged bearing liners had
shown a higher than normal rate of wear. Investigation revealed that
the excessive wear was due to the paint contamination between the
bearing roller and bearing liner. The bearing paint contamination is
known to be abrasive and could seize the bearing.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to excessive
airframe vibrations and difficulties in aircraft pitch control.
* * * * *
The unsafe condition is loss of controllability.
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.
Free-Play Check and Corrective Actions
(g) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or
(g)(2) of this AD: Perform a free-play check for any shaft swaged
bearing having part number (P/N) MS14103-7 that is installed in the
tailstock end of each elevator PCU (three PCUs per elevator
surface), having P/Ns 390600-1007 and 390600-1009, in accordance
with paragraph 3.B., Part A, of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-
52, dated May 25, 2010.
(1) For airplanes that have accumulated 8,000 or more total
flight hours as of the effective date of this AD: Within 2,000
flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 8,000 total
flight hours as of the effective date of this AD: Within 6,000
flight hours after the effective date of this AD or before the
accumulation of 10,000 total flight hours, whichever occurs first.
(h) If, during the check required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
the bearing free-play is within the limits specified in Bombardier
Service Bulletin 84-27-52, dated May 25, 2010, no further action is
required by this AD.
(i) If, during the check required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
the bearing free-play exceeds the limits specified in Bombardier
Service Bulletin 84-27-52, dated May 25, 2010: Before further
flight, replace the elevator PCU with a serviceable one, in
accordance with paragraph 3.B., Part B, of Bombardier Service
Bulletin 84-27-52, dated May 25, 2010.
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 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, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight
standards district office/certificate holding 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.
Related Information
(k) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2010-28,
dated August 20, 2010; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-52,
dated May 25, 2010; for related information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 21, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-7289 Filed 3-28-11; 8:45 am]
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