Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 163 (Thursday, August 22, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54336-54338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20931]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-307-AD; Amendment 39-12849; AD 2002-16-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -
300 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series 
airplanes, that requires various modifications of the airstair (main 
passenger) door. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the 
airstair door to open after a landing, which could result in a blocked 
escape route during an emergency evacuation. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective September 26, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 26, 2002.

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 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: Dan Parrillo, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New 
York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7505; fax (516) 568-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-
100, -200, and -300 series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on March 20, 2002 (67 FR 12908). That action proposed to 
require various modifications of the airstair (main passenger) door.

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.

Explanation of Credit Language

    Since the language in Note 3 of the proposed AD is regulatory in 
nature, the note has been redesignated as paragraph (b) in this final 
rule. The remaining paragraphs of this final rule have been 
redesignated to accommodate this change.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the change described previously. The FAA had determined that 
this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA provides the following cost estimates for the actions 
specified by this AD:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Number of
                                     Work hours   Labor rate   Parts cost      U.S.         Per-
    Action per service bulletin         per        per hour       per       airplanes     airplane    Fleet cost
                                      airplane                  airplane     affected       cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8-52-46...........................            3          $60         $297          194         $477      $92,538
8-52-38...........................            4           60        1,930          130        2,170      282,100
8-52-57...........................            1           60            0          194           60       11,640
8-52-56...........................            4           60            0          194          240       46,560
8-52-59...........................            3           60            0          194          180       34,920
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

[[Page 54337]]

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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2002-16-10  Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): 
Amendment 39-12849. Docket 2000-NM-307-AD.

    Applicability: Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes; 
certificated in any category; serial numbers 003 through 550.

    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 (c) 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 failure of the airstair door to open after a landing, 
which could result in a blocked escape route during an emergency 
evacuation, accomplish the following:

Modifications

    (a) Modify the airplane as specified in Table 1 of this AD. 
Table 1 is as follows:

                                       Table 1.--Modification Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          In accordance with the
                                                                                              accomplishment
             For model--                 Modify the airstair            Within--             instructions of
                                              door by--                                     bombardier service
                                                                                                bulletin--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -     Replacing the inflation  6 months after the       8-52-46, dated
 202, -301, -311, and -315 series       valve with a new valve   effective date of this   September 30, 1998.
 airplanes; serial numbers 003          of an improved design    AD.
 through 522 inclusive.                 (Modsum 8Q100185).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -301, -     Reworking the airstair   6 months after the       8-52-38, dated October
 311, and -315 series airplanes;        door cable balance       effective date of this   10, 1995; or 8-52-38,
 serial numbers 003 through 400         assembly (Modsum 8/      AD.                      Revision ``A,'' dated
 inclusive.                             2205).                                            September 19, 1997.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -     Replacing the upper      6 months after the       8-52-57, dated February
 202, -301, -311, and -315 series       cable guards on the      effective date of this   23, 2000; or 8-52-57,
 airplanes; serial numbers 003          airstair door with       AD, but after the        Revision ``A,'' dated
 through 550 inclusive.                 new, improved cable      modification required    July 28, 2000; or 8-52-
                                        guards (Modsum           by paragraph (a)(2) of   57, Revision ``B,''
                                        8Q101093).               this AD.                 dated November 14,
                                                                                          2000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) DHC-8-102, -103, 106, -201, -202,  (i) Manufacturing and    6 months after the       8-52-56, Revision
 -301, 311, and -315 series             installing a support     effective date of this   ``C,'' dated March 10,
 airplanes; serial numbers 003          bracket assembly         AD.                      2000; or 8-52-56,
 through 550 inclusive.                 (Modsum 8Q101086); and/                           Revision ``D,'' dated
                                        or.                                               May 18, 2000; or 8-52-
                                                                                          56, Revision ``E,''
                                                                                          dated July 20, 2000;
                                                                                          or 8-52-56, Revision
                                                                                          ``F,'' dated August
                                                                                          29, 2000; or 8-52-56,
                                                                                          Revision ``G,'' dated
                                                                                          November 7, 2000.
                                       (ii) Replacing the       6 months after the       8-52-59, dated
                                        airstair door gas        effective date of this   September 18, 2000; or
                                        springs with new gas     AD.                      8-52-59, Revision
                                        springs (Modsum                                   ``A,'' dated January
                                        8Q101074).                                        3, 2001.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 2: Modsum 8Q101093 (paragraph (a)(3) of this AD) cannot be 
accomplished before Modification 8/2205 (paragraph (a)(2) of this 
AD), because Modsum 8Q101093 introduces a redesigned cable guard 
that replaces a cable guard that is part of Modification 8/2205.

    (b) Modification, as specified by either paragraph (a)(4)(i) or 
(a)(4)(ii)--or both--of this AD, is acceptable for compliance with

[[Page 54338]]

the requirements of paragraph (a)(4) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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 3: 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

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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

    (e) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with the Bombardier service bulletins listed in 
Table 2 of this AD, as applicable. Table 2 is as follows:

                       Table 2.--Service Documents
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Service bulletin         Revision level                Dated
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8-52-38...............  Original..............  October 10, 1995.
8-52-38...............  `A'...................  September 19, 1997.
8-52-46...............  Original..............  September 30, 1998.
8-52-56...............  `C'...................  March 10, 2000.
8-52-56...............  `D'...................  May 18, 2000.
8-52-56...............  `E'...................  July 20, 2000.
8-52-56...............  `F'...................  August 29, 2000.
8-52-56...............  `G'...................  November 7, 2000.
8-52-57...............  Original..............  February 23, 2000.
8-52-57...............  `A'...................  July 28, 2000.
8-52-57...............  `B'...................  November 14, 2000.
8-52-59...............  Original..............  September 18, 2000.
8-52-59...............  `A'...................  January 3, 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 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian 
airworthiness directive CF-2000-19R1, dated January 22, 2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 26, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 12, 2002.
Vi Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-20931 Filed 8-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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