Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 17, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28186-28187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9467]



[[Page 28186]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20481; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-183-AD; 
Amendment 39-14085; AD 2005-10-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, 
-201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, 
and -315 airplanes. This AD requires operators to install torque tube 
catchers on the control columns of the flight controls. This AD is 
prompted by the discovery that a single malfunction of the torque tube 
could result in both flight control columns being supported by only one 
self-aligning bearing. We are issuing this AD to prevent the torque 
tube from fouling against the underfloor control cables, which could 
result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 21, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 
21, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt 
Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada.
    Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any 
final disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-20481; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-183-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra Sasson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410, Westbury, New 
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7320; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -
202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes. That action, published in the 
Federal Register on March 8, 2005 (70 FR 11168), proposed to require 
operators to install torque tube catchers on the control columns of the 
flight controls.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment that has been 
submitted on the proposed AD. The commenter supports the proposed AD.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment that has been submitted, and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 160 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
actions will take about 9 work hours per airplane, at an average labor 
rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost about $490 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. 
operators is $172,000, or $1,075 per airplane.

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 have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to 
examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2005-10-08 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment 
39-14085. Docket No. FAA-2005-20481; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
183-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective June 21, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -
201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes, serial numbers 003 
through 584 inclusive; certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD is prompted by the discovery that a single 
malfunction of the torque tube could result in both flight control 
columns being supported by only one self-aligning bearing. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent the torque tube from fouling against the

[[Page 28187]]

underfloor control cables, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Installation

    (f) Within 5,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, install control column torque tube catchers on the control 
columns of the flight controls by incorporating Modsum 8Q101338 in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 8-27-90, dated October 28, 2003.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for 
this AD if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2004-08, dated April 20, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-27-90, dated 
October 28, 2003, to perform the actions that are required by this 
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal 
Register approves the incorporation by reference of this document in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies of 
the service information, contact Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier 
Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, 
Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC. To review 
copies of the service information, contact the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 4, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9467 Filed 5-16-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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