Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 24, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24347-24349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9395]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1223; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-173-AD; 
Amendment 39-17027; AD 2012-08-10]
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 
power essential buses during functional tests, due to the low threshold 
setting of the circuit protection on the ADG's generator control unit 
(GCU) preventing the ADG from supplying power to the essential buses. 
This AD requires installing a new or serviceable ADG GCU. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent loss of power from the ADG to the essential 
buses which, in the event of an emergency, could prevent continued safe 
flight.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 29, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference

[[Page 24348]]

of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 29, 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 (ACO), 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 November 8, 2011 (76 
FR 69155). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    There have been several occurrences of the air driven generator 
(ADG) failure to power essential buses during functional tests of 
the ADG. It was found that the low threshold setting of the circuit 
protection on the ADG generator control unit (GCU) can prevent the 
supply of power from the ADG to the essential buses. In the event of 
an emergency, loss of power to the essential buses can prevent 
continued safe flight.
    This [TCCA] directive mandates the replacement of the ADG GCU.

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 Remove Unaffected Airplane Models

    Bombardier requested that we revise the proposed applicability to 
remove Model CL-601-3A and CL-601-3R airplanes.
    We agree. We have removed these models from the Summary and 
paragraph (c) of this AD, since only the Model CL-604 variant is 
affected.

Explanation of Change to Costs of Compliance Section

    The Costs of Compliance section has been updated to show a more 
accurate cost to operators. The work-hours quoted in Bombardier Service 
Bulletins 604-24-023 and 605-24-003, dated April 27, 2011, include only 
the labor time required for replacement, while Hamilton Sundstrand 
Service Bulletin ERPS10G-24-1, dated February 9, 2011, estimates 4 
work-hours for replacing the printed wiring assemblies in the GCU and 
functional testing of the ADG. Because it may be necessary to do a non-
destructive test (NDT) inspection on some airplanes, we have added an 
additional work-hour, for a total estimate of 6 work-hours.

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 changes described previously. We determined that these 
changes 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 70 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 6 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 $0 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 $35,700, or $510 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 that 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);
    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 69155, November 8, 
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:

2012-08-10 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-17027. Docket No. FAA-
2011-1223; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-173-AD.

[[Page 24349]]

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 29, 
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 
5408 through 5665 inclusive, and 5701 through 5856 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 power essential buses during functional tests, due 
to the low threshold setting of the circuit protection on the ADG's 
generator control unit (GCU) preventing the ADG from supplying power 
to the essential buses. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of 
power from the ADG to the essential buses which, in the event of an 
emergency, could prevent continued safe flight.

(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 36 months after the effective date of this AD, remove the 
ADG GCU, Bombardier part number (P/N) 604-90800-7 (Hamilton 
Sundstrand P/N 761341A), and install a new or serviceable ADG GCU 
Bombardier P/N 604-90800-27 (Hamilton Sundstrand P/N 761341B), in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 605-24-003, dated April 25, 2011 (for airplane 
serial numbers 5701 through 5856); or Bombardier Service Bulletin 
604-24-023, dated April 25, 2011 (for airplane serial numbers 5408 
through 5665).

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD:  Bombardier Service 
Bulletins 605-24-003 and 604-24-023, both dated April 25, 2011, 
refer to Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin ERPS10G-24-1, dated 
February 9, 2011, as an additional source of guidance for modifying 
and testing the ADG GCU with new printed wiring assemblies, and re-
identifying the GCU using a new part number.

(h) Parts Installation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an 
ADG GCU, Bombardier P/N 604-90800-7 (Hamilton Sundstrand P/N 
761341A), on any airplane.

(i) 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 
10, 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.

(j) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2011-25, dated 
July 25, 2011; Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-24-003, dated April 
25, 2011; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-24-023, dated April 
25, 2011; for related information.

(k) 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) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51:
    (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-24-003, dated April 25, 
2011.
    (ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-24-023, dated April 25, 
2011.
    (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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 
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 April 10, 2012.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-9395 Filed 4-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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