Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 165 (Thursday, August 25, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53046-53048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21619]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0907; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-146-AD; 
Amendment 39-16790; AD 2011-18-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 
(Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    There has been one reported case of an aft equipment bay fire 
occurring due to arcing of chafed integrated drive generator (IDG) 
power cables. Additionally, the hydraulic line support brackets 
located at the fuselage station (FS) 672 have been found broken in 
service on several aeroplanes. A broken hydraulic line support 
bracket at FS 672 could result in inadequate clearance between the 
IDG power cables and hydraulic lines, potentially resulting in 
chafing of the IDG power cables. Chafed IDG power cables can 
generate high energy arcing, which can result in an uncontrolled 
fire in the aft equipment bay.
* * * * *
This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 9, 2011.
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 11, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Assata Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer, 
Avionics and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New 
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7301; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2011-18, dated July 7, 2011 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), 
to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    There has been one reported case of an aft equipment bay fire 
occurring due to arcing of chafed integrated drive generator (IDG) 
power cables. Additionally, the hydraulic line support brackets 
located at the fuselage station (FS) 672 have been found broken in 
service on several aeroplanes. A broken hydraulic line support 
bracket at FS 672 could result in inadequate clearance between the 
IDG power cables and hydraulic lines, potentially resulting in 
chafing of the IDG power cables. Chafed IDG power cables can 
generate high energy arcing, which can result in an uncontrolled 
fire in the aft equipment bay.
    This [TCCA] directive mandates the detailed visual inspection 
[for chafing and damage] and, if required, rectification of the IDG 
power cables and hydraulic line support bracket.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are issuing this

[[Page 53047]]

AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined the 
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Differences Between the AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because 
chafed IDG power cables can generate high energy arcing, which can 
result in an uncontrolled fire in the aft equipment bay. Therefore, we 
determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before 
issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause exists for making 
this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0907; Directorate 
Identifier 2011-NM-146-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

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 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 this AD:
    1. Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ''significant rule'' under the 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 and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 AD:

2011-18-08 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-16790. Docket No. FAA-
2011-0907; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-146-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective 
September 9, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 
(Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, certificated in any 
category, serial numbers 7003 and subsequent.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24: 
Electrical power.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continued airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    There has been one reported case of an aft equipment bay fire 
occurring due to arcing of chafed integrated drive generator (IDG) 
power cables. Additionally, the hydraulic line support brackets 
located at the fuselage station (FS) 672 have been found broken in 
service on several aeroplanes. A broken hydraulic line support 
bracket at FS 672 could result in inadequate clearance between the 
IDG power cables and hydraulic lines, potentially resulting in 
chafing of the IDG power cables. Chafed IDG power cables can 
generate high energy arcing, which can result in an uncontrolled 
fire in the aft equipment bay.
* * * * *

Compliance

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

Actions

    (g) Within 45 days after the effective date of this AD, do a 
detailed inspection for chafed or damaged IDG power cables from 
fuselage station FS652 to FS672, between stringers 8R and 10R, and 
for cracked or broken hydraulic line support brackets at FS672.
    (1) If chafing or damage is found on any IDG power cable, before 
further flight, replace the IDG power cable using a method approved 
by either the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
ANE-170, FAA, or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) (or its 
delegated agent).
    (2) If any cracking or breaking is found on any hydraulic line 
support bracket at FS672, before further flight, replace the 
hydraulic line support bracket using a method approved by either the 
Manager, New York ACO, ANE-170, FAA, or TCCA (or its delegated 
agent).

Reporting

    (h) Submit a report of the findings of the inspection required 
by paragraph (g) of this

[[Page 53048]]

AD to Bombardier Regional Aircraft Customer Response Center, 13100 
Boulevard Henri-Fabre, Mirabel, Quebec, Canada J7N 3C6; telephone: 
1-514-855-8500; fax: 1-514-855-8501; e-mail: 
[email protected], at the applicable time specified in 
paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD. The report must include any 
finding of chafing of the IDG power cable or broken hydraulic line 
support bracket, the airplane serial number, and the number of 
landings and flight hours on the airplane.
    (1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the inspection.
    (2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this 
AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the effective date of 
this AD.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 1:  This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service 
information as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (i) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the ACO, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing 
Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-
5531. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically 
reference this AD.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: A Federal agency may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a 
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number 
for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for 
this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. All 
responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments 
concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing 
the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, AES-200.

Related Information

    (j) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2011-18, 
dated July 7, 2011, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) None.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 12, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-21619 Filed 8-24-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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