Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-200 and -300 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 130 (Friday, July 6, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35530-35532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16742]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-25-AD; Amendment 39-12307; AD 2001-13-25]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-200 and -300 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-200 and -300 series 
airplanes, that currently requires repetitive inspections to detect 
chafing or arcing damage to the cable/wire and fuel tube assemblies on 
the right-hand side of each engine, and replacement with new 
components, if necessary. That AD also provides for an optional 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by that AD. 
This amendment requires accomplishment of the previously optional 
terminating action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent chafing of the cable/wire bundles against the fuel line, which 
could result in arcing and a consequent fire or explosion. This action 
is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 10, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 10, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 
123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. This 
information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington; or at or at the FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New 
York; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Delisio, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New 
York

[[Page 35531]]

11581; telephone (516) 256-7521; fax (516) 568-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 2001-02-02, 
amendment 39-12086 (66 FR 6454, January 22, 2001), which is applicable 
to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-200 and -300 series airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on March 29, 2001 (66 FR 17097). The 
action proposed to continue to require repetitive inspections to detect 
chafing or arcing damage to the cable/wire and fuel tube assemblies on 
the right-hand side of each engine, and replacement with new 
components, if necessary. The action also proposed to require 
accomplishment of the previously optional terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections required by AD 2001-02-02.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 150 Model DHC-8-200 and -300 series 
airplanes of U.S. registry that will be affected by this AD.
    The repetitive inspections that are currently required by AD 2001-
02-02, and retained in this AD, take approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the previously required 
actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be $18,000, or $120 per 
airplane.
    The new action, incorporation of the modification, that is required 
by this new AD, will take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $350 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the new requirements of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $88,500, or $590 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-12086 (66 FR 
6454, January 22, 2001), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-12307, to read as follows:

2001-13-25  Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): 
Amendment 39-12307. Docket 2001-NM-25-AD. Supersedes AD 2001-02-02, 
Amendment 39-12086.

    Applicability: Model DHC-8-201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 
series airplanes having serial numbers from 100 through 552 
inclusive, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent possible arcing between the electrical wiring and the 
fuel tube, which could result in a fire or explosion, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection Requirements of AD 2000-02-02

    (a) Within 50 flight hours or 10 days after February 6, 2001 
(the effective date of AD 2001-02-02), whichever occurs first: Do a 
general visual inspection to detect chafing or arcing damage to the 
cable and the fuel tube assemblies on the right hand side of each 
engine, per Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-73-23, Revision A, 
dated December 12, 2000; or Revision B, dated January 30, 2001. 
Repeat the inspection every 500 flight hours or 3 months, whichever 
occurs first.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Repair

    (b) If any damage to the fuel tube or cable assembly is 
detected, before further flight, replace the damaged component per 
Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-73-23, Revision A, dated 
December 12, 2000, or Revision B, dated January 30, 2001. 
Thereafter, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this 
AD every 500 flight hours or 3 months, whichever occurs first.

    Note 3: Accomplishment of the replacement actions specified in 
paragraph (b) of this AD or terminating action required by paragraph 
(c) of this AD, per Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-73-23 
(original version), dated November 30, 2000, before the effective 
date of this AD, is acceptable for compliance with paragraphs (b) or 
(c) of this AD, as applicable.


[[Page 35532]]



Terminating Action

    (c) Within 1,000 flight hours or 6 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Accomplish the modification 
instructions described in Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-73-
23, Revision A, dated December 12, 2000, or Revision B, dated 
January 30, 2001, that specify, among other actions, rerouting the 
existing wire harness to the opposite side of the oil cooler. 
Accomplishment of the modification constitutes terminating action 
for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, New York ACO.

    Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the New York ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Bombardier 
Alert Service Bulletin A8-73-23, Revision A, dated December 12, 
2000; or Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A8-73-23, Revision B, 
dated January 30, 2001. This incorporation by reference was approved 
by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bombardier, 
Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt Boulevard, 
Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. Copies may be inspected at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-2000-33, dated November 14, 2000.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on August 10, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 27, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-16742 Filed 7-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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