Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 155 (Tuesday, August 12, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46968-46971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-18866]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0490; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-133-AD; 
Amendment 39-17926; AD 2014-16-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. 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 certain 
Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) airplanes. This AD requires 
revising the airplane flight manual to prohibit thrust reverser 
operation, and repetitive detailed inspections of both engine thrust 
reversers for cracks and modification if necessary. The modification of 
the thrust reversers is also an optional terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections. This AD was prompted by reports of partial 
deployment of an engine thrust reverser in-flight caused by a failure 
of the translating sleeve at the thrust reverser attachment points. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks of the translating 
sleeve at the thrust reverser actuator attachment points, which could 
result in deployment or dislodgement of an engine thrust reverser in-
flight and subsequent reduced control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 12, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 12, 
2014.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 26, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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 W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Bombardier, 
Inc., 400 Cote-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. You 
may view this referenced 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0490; 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: Fabio Buttitta, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 
NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7303; fax 516-794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Emergency Airworthiness 
Directive CF-2014-19, dated June 20, 2014 (referred to after this as 
the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), 
to correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-
600-1A11 (CL-600) airplanes. The MCAI states:

There have been two reported incidents of partial deployment of an 
engine thrust reverser in-flight, caused by a failure of the 
translating sleeve at the thrust reverser actuator attachment 
points. Inspection of the same area on some other thrust reversers 
revealed cracks emanating from the holes under the nut plates.
    In both incidents, the affected aeroplane landed safely without 
any noticeable controllability issues, however structural failure of 
thrust reverser actuator attachment points resulting in thrust 
reverser deployment or dislodgment in flight [and subsequent reduced 
control of the airplane] is a safety hazard warranting an immediate 
mitigating action.
    To help in mitigating any immediate safety hazard, Bombardier 
Inc. has revised the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) through Temporary 
Revisions (TR) 600/29, 600/30, 600-1/24 and 600-1/26, to prohibit 
the thrust reverser operation on affected aeroplanes. Additionally, 
as an interim corrective action, Bombardier Inc. has issued alert 
service bulletin (ASB) A600-0769 requiring an inspection and/or a 
mechanical lock out of the thrust reverser to prevent it from moving 
out of forward thrust mode.
    This [Canadian] AD is issued to mandate the incorporation of 
revised AFM procedures per TR 600/29, 600/30, 600-1/24 and 600-1/26 
and compliance with ASB A600-0769 for all affected CL-600-1A11 
aeroplanes.

Required actions also include repetitive detailed inspections 
(including a borescope inspection) of both engine thrust reversers for 
cracks, and modifying the thrust reversers if necessary. Modifying the 
thrust reversers terminates the detailed inspections. You may examine 
the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0490.

Relevant Service Information

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued the following service information. The 
actions described in this service information are intended to correct 
the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
    <bullet> Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A600-0769, Revision 01, 
dated June 26, 2014.
    <bullet> Canadair Temporary Revision (TR) 600/29, dated June 20, 
2014, to the Canadair CL-600-1A11 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM).
    <bullet> Canadair TR 600/30, dated June 6, 2014, to the Canadair 
CL-600-1A11 AFM.
    <bullet> Canadair TR 600-1/24, dated June 20, 2014, to the Canadair 
CL-600-1A11 AFM (Winglets) including Erratum, Publication No. PSP 600-
1AFM (US), TR No. 600-1/24, June 20, 2014.
    <bullet> Canadair TR 600-1/26, dated June 6, 2014, to the Canadair 
CL-600-1A11 AFM (Winglets).

[[Page 46969]]

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 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.

``Contacting the Manufacturer'' Paragraph in This AD

    Since late 2006, we have included a standard paragraph titled 
``Airworthy Product'' in all MCAI ADs in which the FAA develops an AD 
based on a foreign authority's AD.
    The MCAI or referenced service information in an FAA AD often 
directs the owner/operator to contact the manufacturer for corrective 
actions, such as a repair. Briefly, the Airworthy Product paragraph 
allowed owners/operators to use corrective actions provided by the 
manufacturer if those actions were FAA-approved. In addition, the 
paragraph stated that any actions approved by the State of Design 
Authority (or its delegated agent) are considered to be FAA-approved.
    In an NPRM having Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-101-AD (78 FR 
78285, December 26, 2013), we proposed to prevent the use of repairs 
that were not specifically developed to correct the unsafe condition, 
by requiring that the repair approval provided by the State of Design 
Authority or its delegated agent specifically refer to the FAA AD. This 
change was intended to clarify the method of compliance and to provide 
operators with better visibility of repairs that are specifically 
developed and approved to correct the unsafe condition. In addition, we 
proposed to change the phrase ``its delegated agent'' to include a 
design approval holder (DAH) with State of Design Authority design 
organization approval (DOA), as applicable, to refer to a DAH 
authorized to approve required repairs for the proposed AD.
    One commenter to the NPRM having Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-
101-AD (78 FR 78285, December 26, 2013) stated the following: ``The 
proposed wording, being specific to repairs, eliminates the 
interpretation that Airbus messages are acceptable for approving minor 
deviations (corrective actions) needed during accomplishment of an AD 
mandated Airbus service bulletin.''
    This comment has made the FAA aware that some operators have 
misunderstood or misinterpreted the Airworthy Product paragraph to 
allow the owner/operator to use messages provided by the manufacturer 
as approval of deviations during the accomplishment of an AD-mandated 
action. The Airworthy Product paragraph does not approve messages or 
other information provided by the manufacturer for deviations to the 
requirements of the AD-mandated actions. The Airworthy Product 
paragraph only addresses the requirement to contact the manufacturer 
for corrective actions for the identified unsafe condition and does not 
cover deviations from other AD requirements. However, deviations to AD-
required actions are addressed in 14 CFR 39.17, and anyone may request 
the approval for an alternative method of compliance to the AD-required 
actions using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    To address this misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the 
Airworthy Product paragraph, we have changed the paragraph and retitled 
it ``Contacting the Manufacturer.'' This paragraph now clarifies that 
for any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a 
manufacturer, the actions must be accomplished using a method approved 
by the FAA, Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), or Bombardier's 
TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO).
    The Contacting the Manufacturer paragraph also clarifies that, if 
approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized 
signature. The DAO signature indicates that the data and information 
contained in the document are TCCA-approved, which is also FAA-
approved. Messages and other information provided by the manufacturer 
that do not contain the DAO-authorized signature approval are not TCCA-
approved, unless TCCA directly approves the manufacturer's message or 
other information.
    This clarification does not remove flexibility previously afforded 
by the Airworthy Product paragraph. Consistent with long-standing FAA 
policy, such flexibility was never intended for required actions. This 
is also consistent with the recommendation of the Airworthiness 
Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee to increase 
flexibility in complying with ADs by identifying those actions in 
manufacturers' service instructions that are ``Required for 
Compliance'' with ADs. We continue to work with manufacturers to 
implement this recommendation. But once we determine that an action is 
required, any deviation from the requirement must be approved as an 
alternative method of compliance.

Difference Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    Part 3 of Canadian Emergency AD CF-2014-19, dated June 20, 2014, 
which specifies accomplishing a repair or modification of the thrust 
reversers, is not required in this AD. We are currently considering 
requiring a repair or modification of the thrust reversers. However, 
the planned compliance time for the action would allow enough time to 
provide notice and opportunity for prior public comment on the merits 
of the actions.

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 
cracks of the translating sleeve at the thrust reverser actuator 
attachment points could result in thrust reverser deployment or 
dislodgement in-flight and subsequent reduced control of the airplane. 
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-2014-0490; Directorate 
Identifier 2014-NM-133-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 based on 
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.

[[Page 46970]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 18 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 29 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. 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 $44,370, or $2,465 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 72 work-hours and require parts costing $509, for a cost of 
$6,629 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need this action.

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.

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):

2014-16-02 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-17926. Docket No. FAA-
2014-0490; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-133-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective August 12, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) 
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 1004 through 
1085.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 78, Engine 
Exhaust.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of partial deployment of an 
engine thrust reverser in-flight caused by a failure of the 
translating sleeve at the thrust reverser attachment points. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks of the translating 
sleeve at the thrust reverser actuator attachment points, which 
could result in deployment or dislodgement of an engine thrust 
reverser in-flight and subsequent reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    Within 1 calendar day after the effective date of this AD: 
Revise the applicable sections of the AFM to include the information 
specified in the temporary revisions (TRs) identified in paragraphs 
(g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(4) of this AD, as applicable. These 
TRs introduce procedures to prohibit thrust reverser operation. 
Operate the airplane according to the limitations and procedures in 
the TRs identified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(4) 
of this AD, as applicable. The revision required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD may be done by inserting copies of the applicable TRs 
identified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(4) of this 
AD into the AFM. When these TRs have been included in general 
revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted in the 
AFM, provided the relevant information in the general revision is 
identical to that in the applicable TRs, and the TRs may be removed.
    (1) Canadair TR 600/29, dated June 20, 2014, to the Canadair CL-
600-1A11 AFM.
    (2) Canadair TR 600/30, dated June 6, 2014, to the Canadair CL-
600-1A11 AFM.
    (3) Canadair TR 600-1/24, dated June 20, 2014, to the Canadair 
CL-600-1A11 AFM (Winglets) including Erratum, Publication No. PSP 
600-1AFM (US), TR No. 600-1/24, June 20, 2014.
    (4) Canadair TR 600-1/26, dated June 6, 2014, to the Canadair 
CL-600-1A11 AFM (Winglets).

(h) Repetitive Inspections

    Within 25 flight cycles or 90 days, whichever occurs first, 
after the effective date of this AD, do detailed inspections 
(including a borescope inspection) of both engine thrust reversers 
for cracks, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A600-0769, Revision 01, dated June 
26, 2014.
    (1) If no cracking is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (h) of this AD, repeat the inspection required by 
paragraph (h) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 
flight cycles until the modification specified in paragraph (i) of 
this AD is done.
    (2) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (h) of this AD, before further flight, modify the thrust 
reversers on both engines, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A600-0769, 
Revision 01, dated June 26, 2014.

(i) Optional Terminating Modification

    Modifying the thrust reversers on both engines, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service 
Bulletin A600-0769, Revision 01, dated June 26, 2014, terminates the 
inspections required by paragraph (h) of this AD.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD using Bombardier Alert Service 
Bulletin A600-0769, dated June 19, 2014, which is not incorporated 
by reference in this AD.

(k) 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

[[Page 46971]]

directly to the ACO, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing 
Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO, 
ANE-170, Engine and Propeller Directorate, FAA; or Transport Canada 
Civil Aviation (TCCA); or Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval 
Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must 
include the DAO-authorized signature.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Emergency Airworthiness Directive CF-2014-19, dated 
June 20, 2014, for related information. You may examine the MCAI on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0490.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference may be obtained at the addresses specified 
in paragraphs (m)(3) and (m)(4) of this AD.

(m) 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.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A600-0769, Revision 01, 
dated June 26, 2014.
    (ii) Canadair Temporary Revision 600/29, dated June 20, 2014, to 
the Canadair CL-600-1A11 Airplane Flight Manual.
    (iii) Canadair Temporary Revision 600/30, dated June 6, 2014, to 
the Canadair CL-600-1A11 Airplane Flight Manual.
    (iv) Canadair Temporary Revision 600-1/24, dated June 20, 2014, 
to the Canadair CL-600-1A11 Airplane Flight Manual (Winglets) 
including Erratum, Publication No. PSP 600-1AFM (US), TR No. 600-1/
24, June 20, 2014.
    (v) Canadair Temporary Revision 600-1/26, dated June 6, 2014, to 
the Canadair CL-600-1A11 Airplane Flight Manual (Winglets).
    (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 view this 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 4, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-18866 Filed 8-11-14; 8:45 am]
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