Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 6, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13191-13193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-4805]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0992; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-126-AD; 
Amendment 39-16968; AD 2012-04-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variant) airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by reports of the air-driven generator (ADG) failing to 
provide power during operational/function checks due to wires in the 
ADG power feeder cables being damaged. The damage was due to galvanic 
corrosion and inadequate silver-plating. This AD requires replacing ADG 
power feeder cables. We are issuing this AD to prevent galvanic 
corrosion on ADG power feeder cables, which could result in damage to 
the cable and consequently the cable may not be able to provide 
emergency electrical power to the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 10, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 10, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.

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

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 23, 2011 
(76 FR 59067). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Three (3) events have occurred where the Air-Driven Generator 
(ADG) failed to provide power on CL-600-2B19 (CRJ) aeroplanes during 
their regularly scheduled operational/functional checks. An 
investigation revealed that in all cases, the silver-plated copper 
wires within the ADG power feeder cables were damaged due to 
galvanic corrosion. It was subsequently determined that the silver-
plating is inadequate for this application.
    In the event of damage to the power feeder cable wires, the ADG 
may not be able to provide emergency electrical power to the 
aeroplane.
    Although there have been no reported failures to date on any CL-
600-2B16 (604 Variant) aeroplanes, a sampling program carried out on 
these aeroplanes showed signs of microscopic galvanic corrosion on 
the ADG power feeder cable wires.
    This [Transport Canada] directive is issued to correct this 
potentially unsafe condition by mandating the replacement of all ADG 
power feeder cables * * * with an ADG power feeder cable that 
contains tin-plated copper wires.

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

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received.

Request To Revise Applicability

    Bombardier Aerospace (Bombardier) commented that the aircraft 
applicability needs to be revised to remove two of the three model 
designations (Model CL-601-3A and -3R) specified in the NPRM (76 FR 
59067, September 23, 2011), because only airplanes of the Model CL-604 
Variant are affected by the proposed actions of the NPRM.
    We agree to revise the applicability of this AD as requested. The 
airplane serial numbers specified in Transport Canada Civil Aviation 
(TCCA) Airworthiness Directive CF-2011-08, dated April 28, 2011 (cited 
in the NPRM (76 FR 59067, September 23, 2011) as the Canadian mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)), and Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 604-24-024, dated January 31, 2011 (cited as the appropriate 
service information for accomplishing the actions proposed by the NPRM) 
are all of the Model CL-604

[[Page 13192]]

Variant. We have changed the affected airplanes specified in the 
applicability in the Summary and in paragraph (c) of this AD 
accordingly.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD with the change described previously. We determined that this change 
will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the 
scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 72 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 24 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $1,897 
per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs 
that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no 
charge for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for 
affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated 
here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the 
U.S. operators to be $283,464, or $3,937 per product.

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 proposed 
regulation:
    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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

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 the NPRM (76 FR 59067, September 23, 
2011), 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.

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:

2012-04-12 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-16968. Docket No. FAA-
2011-0992; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-126-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 10, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL -604 
Variant) airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 
5301, 5302, 5305 through 5318 inclusive, 5320 through 5328 
inclusive, 5331 through 5349 inclusive, 5351 through 5367 inclusive, 
5369 through 5408 inclusive, 5410, 5412 through 5426 inclusive, 5428 
through 5438 inclusive, 5440 through 5489 inclusive, 5491 through 
5498 inclusive, 5500 through 5517 inclusive, 5519 through 5522 
inclusive, and 5524 through 5665 inclusive.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of the air-driven generator 
(ADG) failing to provide power during operational/function checks 
due to wires in the ADG power feeder cables being damaged. The 
damage was due to galvanic corrosion and inadequate silver-plating. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent galvanic corrosion on ADG power 
feeder cables, which could result in damage to the cable and 
consequently the cable may not be able to provide emergency 
electrical power to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Actions

    Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the ADG power feeder cable, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-24-024, dated 
January 31, 2011.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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.

[[Page 13193]]

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) 
Airworthiness Directive CF-2011-08, dated April 28, 2011; and 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-24-024, dated January 31, 2011; for 
related information.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 of the 
following service information.
    (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-24-024, dated January 31, 
2011, approved for IBR April 10, 2012.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval, 
Qu[eacute]bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-
7401; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.bombardier.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (425) 227-1221.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
of this material at an NARA facility, 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 February 22, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-4805 Filed 3-5-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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