Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 169 (Friday, August 30, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53638-53640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20237]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0459; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-044-AD; 
Amendment 39-17569; AD 2013-17-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 
702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, 
Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, and Model CL-
600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by 
reports of erratic pitch movement and oscillatory behaviors of the 
elevator control system. This AD requires repetitive replacement of the 
bellcrank supports on the inner rear spar of the horizontal stabilizer 
with new, improved bellcrank supports. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent erratic pitch movement and transient accelerations, which could 
result in a significant pitch upset, and injuries to passengers and 
flightcrew.

DATES: This final rule becomes effective October 4, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of October 4, 
2013.

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: Ricardo Garcia, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New 
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7331; 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. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 31, 2013 (78 FR 
32579). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products.
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2013-03, dated February 5, 2013 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    There have been several reported incidents of erratic pitch 
movements and oscillatory behaviors of the elevator control system. 
Investigation revealed that, the increase in the elevator breakout 
force induced by the introduction of a new elevator centering 
mechanism, in combination with the existing bracket assembly 
backlash and bearing friction of the bell crank support, could 
result in erratic pitch movement and oscillatory behavior of the 
elevator control system. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in pitch upset of the aeroplane that generates transient 
accelerations. These accelerations could be high enough to injure 
aeroplane occupants that are not restrained in their seats.
    This [TCCA] AD mandates the repetitive replacement of the 
bellcrank supports with a new bearing.

    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. The Airline Pilots 
Association International supported the NPRM (78 FR 32579, May 31, 
2013).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 400 products of U.S. registry. We 
also estimate that it takes about 7 work-hours per product to comply 
with the basic requirements of this AD. Required parts would cost up to 
$2,422 per product.

[[Page 53639]]

The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we 
estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be up to $1,206,800, 
or up to $3,017 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 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.

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 MCAI, 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.

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 airworthiness 
directive AD:

2013-17-05 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-17569; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0459; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-044-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 4, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1), 
(c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 
701, & 702) airplanes, serial numbers 10002 through 10999 inclusive.
    (2) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) 
and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, serial numbers 
15001 through 15990 inclusive.
    (3) Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 
1000) airplanes, serial numbers 19001 through 19990 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of erratic pitch movements and 
oscillatory behaviors of the elevator control system. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent erratic pitch movement and transient 
accelerations, which could result in a significant pitch upset, and 
injuries to passengers and flightcrew.

(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) Repetitive Replacement of the Bellcrank Supports

    For any airplane with bellcrank supports having part numbers 
AV670-23350-001 (left side) and AV670-23350-002 (right side), on the 
inner rear spar of the horizontal stabilizer: At the applicable time 
specified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), or (g)(4) of this AD, 
replace the affected bellcrank supports with new bellcrank supports, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 670BA-27-064, dated December 11, 2012. Repeat the 
replacement thereafter at intervals not to exceed 20,000 flight 
hours.
    (1) For airplanes that have, as of the effective date of this 
AD, accumulated 18,000 total flight hours or less: Replace before 
the accumulation of 24,600 total flight hours.
    (2) For airplanes that have, as of the effective date of this 
AD, accumulated more than 18,000 total flight hours, but 23,400 
total flight hours or less: Replace within 6,600 flight hours after 
the effective date of this AD.
    (3) For airplanes that have, as of the effective date of this 
AD, accumulated more than 23,400 total flight hours, but 28,500 
total flight hours or less: Replace before the accumulation of 
30,000 total flight hours.
    (4) For airplanes that have, as of the effective date of this 
AD, accumulated more than 28,500 total flight hours: Within 1,500 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD.

(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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2013-03, dated February 
5, 2013, for related information, which can be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

[[Page 53640]]

    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-27-064, dated December 11, 
2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 9, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-20237 Filed 8-29-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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