Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 20 (Friday, January 30, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4454-4455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1910]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-311-AD; Amendment 39-13440; AD 2004-02-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -
402 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-8-400, -401, and -402 
airplanes; that requires replacing certain flight guidance modules with 
improved modules, and certain flight control electronic control units 
with improved units. This action is necessary to prevent loss of the 
autopilot or manual pitch trim, which may increase the workload of the 
flightcrew and, under certain conditions, could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective March 5, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 5, 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; at the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra Sasson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York 11590; 
telephone (516) 228-7320; fax (516) 794-5531.

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-
400, -401, and -402 airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on 
November 18, 2003 (68 FR 65003). That action proposed to require 
replacing certain flight guidance modules (FGMs) with improved modules, 
and certain flight control electronic control units (FCECUs) with 
improved units.

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

    We estimate that 12 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by 
the required replacement of FGMs, that it will take approximately 1 
work hour per airplane to accomplish this replacement, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will be 
provided at no charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this 
requirement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $780, or $65 per 
airplane.
    We estimate that 15 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by 
the required replacement of the FCECUs, that it will take approximately 
4 work hours per airplane to accomplish this required replacement, and 
that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will 
be provided at no charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
this requirement 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. The manufacturer may cover the cost of 
replacement parts associated with this AD, subject to warranty 
conditions. As a result, the costs attributable to the AD may be less 
than stated above.

[[Page 4455]]

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, 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-02-05 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment 
39-13440. Docket 2002-NM-311-AD.

    Applicability: Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes; 
certificated in any category; having serial numbers (S/Ns) 4001 
through 4065 inclusive.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of the autopilot or manual pitch trim, which may 
increase the workload of the flightcrew and, under certain 
conditions, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement of Flight Guidance Modules

    (a) For airplanes with S/Ns 4001 through 4003 inclusive and 4005 
through 4058 inclusive: Within 60 days after the effective date of 
this AD, replace flight guidance modules (FGMs) FGM1 and FGM2, part 
number (P/N) C12429AA06, with improved FGMs, P/N C12429AA07, and 
perform a Return-to-Service procedure, per Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 84-22-04, Revision `B,' dated April 17, 2002.

    Note 1:
    Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-22-04, Revision `B,' refers to 
Thales Service Bulletin C12429A-22-003, dated November 29, 2001, as 
an additional source of service information for modifying FGMs from 
P/N C12429AA06 to P/N C12429AA07. The Thales service bulletin is 
included in the Bombardier service bulletin.

Replacement of Flight Control Electronic Control Units

    (b) For all airplanes: Within 8 months after the effective date 
of this AD, replace flight control electronic control units 
(FCECUs), P/N 398500-1001 or -1003, with improved FCECUs, P/N 
398500-1005, and perform a Return-to-Service procedure, per 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-14, Revision `A,' dated April 2, 
2002.

    Note 2:
    Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-14, Revision `A,' refers to 
Parker Service Bulletin 398500-27-235, dated January 9, 2002, as an 
additional source of service information for modifying FCECUs from 
P/N 398500-1001 or -1003 to P/N 398500-1005. The Parker service 
bulletin is included in the Bombardier service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-22-04, Revision `B,' dated April 17, 2002; and 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-14, Revision `A,' dated April 2, 
2002; as applicable. 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; at the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 
Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 3:
    The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian airworthiness 
directive CF-2002-25, dated April 25, 2002.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 5, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 20, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-1910 Filed 1-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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