Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 131 (Friday, July 9, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41410-41411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15509]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-234-AD; Amendment 39-13724; AD 2004-14-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 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-8-400 airplanes. That 
AD currently requires revising the Normal and Abnormal sections of the 
airplane flight manual (AFM) to include procedures that enable the 
flightcrew to determine if the main landing gear (MLG) is extended 
before landing, and to take appropriate actions if necessary. This 
amendment adds an airplane to the applicability, and requires replacing 
the existing MLG downlock proximity sensors with new, improved sensors. 
After the replacement, this action also requires removing from the AFM 
the revision to the Normal and Abnormal sections required by the 
existing AD. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the MLG downlock proximity sensors on the same MLG at the 
same time, which could result in the MLG's failure to extend during 
landing, and cause injury to flightcrew and passengers. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 13, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 13, 2004.

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, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York 11590; or at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on 
the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go 
to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Parrillo, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York 11590; 
telephone (516) 228-7305; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 2001-11-10, 
amendment 39-12253 (66 FR 30305, June 6, 2001), which is applicable to 
certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes, was published in 
the Federal Register on May 7, 2004 (69 FR 25503). The action proposed 
to require revising the Normal and Abnormal sections of the airplane 
flight manual (AFM) to include procedures that enable the flightcrew to 
determine if the main landing gear (MLG) is extended before landing, 
and to take appropriate actions if necessary. That action also proposed 
to require adding an airplane to the applicability, and replacing the 
existing MLG downlock proximity sensors with new, improved sensors. 
After the replacement, that action also proposed to require removing 
from the AFM the revision to the Normal and Abnormal sections required 
by the existing AD.

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 15 airplanes of U.S. registry that will be 
affected by this AD.
    The revision of the AFM that is currently required by AD 2001-11-10 
takes approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the previously required actions on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $975, or $65 per airplane.
    The replacement that is required by this new AD will take 
approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will be provided free 
of charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the new 
requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,900, or 
$260 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

0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator,

[[Page 41411]]

the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-12253 (66 FR 
30305, June 6, 2001), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
amendment 39-13724, to read as follows:

2004-14-15 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment 
39-13724. Docket 2002-NM-234-AD. Supersedes AD 2001-11-10, Amendment 
39-12253.

    Applicability: Model DHC-8-400 airplanes, serial numbers 4001 
through 4055 inclusive; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of the main landing gear (MLG) downlock 
proximity sensors on the same MLG at the same time, which could 
result in the MLG's failure to extend during landing, and cause 
injury to flightcrew and passengers, accomplish the following:

Restatement of the Requirements of AD 2001-11-10

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    (a) Within 14 days after June 21, 2001 (the effective date of AD 
2001-11-10, amendment 39-12253), revise the Normal and Abnormal 
sections of the airplane flight manual (AFM) by inserting the 
following into Section 4.21, opposite page 4.21.1. This may be 
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.

Caution

    If illumination of LEFT gear safe (green), and LEFT gear unsafe 
(red), and landing gear handle (amber) advisory lights with the 
landing gear handle in the up position.
     Or
    Illumination of RIGHT gear safe (green), and RIGHT gear unsafe 
(red), and landing gear handle (amber) advisory lights with the 
landing gear handle in the up position.
    1. Perform an Alternate Landing Gear extension, See paragraph 
4.21.

Warning

    Selection of the gear down without following the Alternate 
Landing Gear Extension procedure may result in the affected gear 
being trapped inside the nacelle.
    2. Visually inspect Main Landing Gear to confirm that it has 
been extended.

Warning

    A down and locked indication of the affected main landing gear 
is not a valid indication of the gear position.
    3. Insert hydraulic pump handle in socket and operate for a 
minimum of 12 full strokes and ensure resistance to pump handle 
movement.
    4. Observe the LEFT gear safe (green) and RIGHT gear safe 
(green) advisory lights are illuminated and the LEFT gear unsafe 
(red) and RIGHT gear unsafe (red) and the landing handle (amber) 
advisory lights are extinguished.''

New Requirements of This AD

Replacement

    (b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the left-hand and right-hand MLG downlock proximity sensors with 
new, improved sensors having new part numbers, per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-09, 
Revision A, dated November 20, 2001. Once the sensors have been 
replaced, the AFM revision required by paragraph (a) of this AD must 
be removed from the AFM.

    Note 1: Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-09 references Menasco 
Aerospace Service Bulletin 46400-32-09, dated May 15, 2001, as an 
additional source of service information for accomplishment of the 
replacement. The Menasco service bulletin is included in the 
Bombardier service bulletin.

Replacements Accomplished per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (c) Replacements accomplished before the effective date of this 
AD per Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-09, dated May 18, 2001, are 
considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action 
specified in this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, New York 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-09, 
Revision A, dated November 20, 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, 1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410, Westbury, New 
York; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 
For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 
(202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Note 2:
    The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian airworthiness 
directive CF-2001-16R1, dated June 3, 2002.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 13, 2004.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 30, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-15509 Filed 7-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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