Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 7, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38615-38617]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16463]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0569; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-047-AD; 
Amendment 39-18199; AD 2015-14-01]
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 DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted 
by a report of loose bolts that are intended to secure the translating 
door crank assembly to the outside handle shaft. This AD requires a 
detailed inspection for loose bolts on the aft translating door crank 
assembly, and removal and reinstallation of the bolts. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent loose bolts from falling out. If both bolts become 
loose or fall out after the door is closed and locked, the door cannot 
be opened from inside or outside, which could impede evacuation in the 
event of an emergency.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 11, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 11, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-0569; or in person at the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Bombardier, 
Inc., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Toronto, 
Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone 416-375-4000; fax 416-375-4539; 
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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0569.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone 516-228-7318; fax 516-794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Bombardier, Inc. 
Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on August 15, 2014 (79 FR 48105). The NPRM was prompted by a 
report of loose bolts that are intended to secure the translating door 
crank assembly to the outside handle shaft. The NPRM proposed to 
require a detailed inspection for loose bolts on the aft translating 
door crank assembly, and removal and reinstallation of the bolts. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent loose bolts from falling out. If both 
bolts become loose or fall out after the door is closed and locked, the 
door cannot be opened from inside or outside, which could impede 
evacuation in the event of an emergency.
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2014-08, dated February 10, 2014 (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 was one in-service report where the bolts securing the 
translating door crank assembly to the outside handle shaft were 
found loose. It was also found on another translating door that 
sealant was missing on these bolts. If both bolts become loose or 
fall out after the door is closed and locked, the door cannot be 
opened from inside or outside.
    The aft entry translating door and aft service translating door 
are classified as emergency exits. The inability to open an 
emergency exit could impede evacuation in the event of an emergency.
    This [Canadian] AD mandates the inspection of the translating 
door crank assemblies for loose bolts, as well as appropriate 
rectification [removal and reinstallation of the bolts].

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0569-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comment received. The following 
presents the comment received on the NPRM (79 FR 48105, August 15, 
2014), and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request To Remove Certain Requirements From the NPRM (79 FR 48105, 
August 15, 2014)

    Horizon Air requested that the job set-up and close-out procedures 
included in Part A-INSPECTION, and Part B-RECTIFICATION, of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-75, 
Revision A, dated July 11, 2013, be removed as requirements in the NPRM 
(79 FR 48105, August 15, 2014). The commenter noted that only the 
procedures included in paragraph B.

[[Page 38616]]

Procedure, of Part A and Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-75, Revision A, dated July 11, 2013, 
provide corrective actions to address the unsafe condition. The 
commenter stated that the job set-up and close-out procedures do not 
directly correct the unsafe condition and restrict an operators' 
ability to perform maintenance in conjunction with the detailed 
inspection that would be required by the proposed AD.
    We partially agree with the commenter's request. We agree to remove 
the job set-up procedures and most of the steps in the job close-out 
procedures from this AD because those actions do not directly correct 
the unsafe condition. We have revised paragraph (g) of this AD to 
specify that the inspection must be done in accordance with paragraph 
3.B., ``Procedure,'' of Part A--INSPECTION, of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-75, Revision A, dated 
July 11, 2013.
    We have also revised paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD to 
specify that the corrective actions must be done in accordance with 
paragraph 3.B., ``Procedure,'' and steps 3.C.(4) and 3.C.(5) of 
paragraph 3.C., ``Close Out,'' of Part B--RECTIFICATION, of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-75, 
Revision A, dated July 11, 2013. The intent of this final rule is to 
ensure that the aft entry translating door and aft service translating 
door are correctly installed. Therefore, we consider the operational 
tests in steps 3.C.(4) and 3.C.(5) of paragraph 3.C., ``Close Out,'' of 
Part B--RECTIFICATION, of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-52-75, Revision A, dated July 11, 2013, to be 
required actions to ensure that these doors operate properly. If 
maintenance is done concurrently with the required detailed inspection, 
it should not affect an operator's ability to return the aircraft to 
service. If the required detailed inspection cannot be completed 
because the airplane is undergoing maintenance, then the actions 
required by this AD can be accomplished just prior to the airplane 
being returned to service. Concurrently performing maintenance and 
doing the actions required by this AD should not cause a delay in an 
airplane's return to service.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 48105, August 15, 2014) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 48105, August 15, 2014).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-75, Revision A, dated 
July 11, 2013. This service information describes procedures for a 
detailed inspection for loose bolts on the aft translating door crank 
assembly, and removal and reinstallation of the bolts. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in the ADDRESSES section of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 82 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 7 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. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $48,790, or $595 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= FAA-2014-0569; or in person at 
the Docket Management Facility 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.

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):

2015-14-01 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-18199. Docket No. FAA-
2014-0569; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-047-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective August 11, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 38617]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -
402 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 4001 
through 4411 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of loose bolts that are 
intended to secure the translating door crank assembly to the 
outside handle shaft. We are issuing this AD to prevent loose bolts 
from falling out. If both bolts become loose or fall out after the 
door is closed and locked, the door cannot be opened from inside or 
outside, which could impede evacuation in the event of an emergency.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection and Corrective Actions

    Within 600 flight hours or 100 days, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD: Do a detailed inspection of the 
aft translating door crank assembly for loose bolts, in accordance 
with paragraph 3.B., ``Procedure,'' of Part A--INSPECTION, of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-75, 
Revision A, dated July 11, 2013. Doing the applicable actions 
specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD terminates the 
requirements of this paragraph.
    (1) If any loose bolt is found: Before further flight, remove 
and reinstall the translating door crank assembly bolt, in 
accordance with paragraph 3.B., ``Procedure,'' and steps 3.C.(4) and 
3.C.(5) of paragraph 3.C., ``Close Out,'' of Part B--RECTIFICATION, 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 
84-52-75, Revision A, dated July 11, 2013.
    (2) If no loose bolt is found: Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 
months, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, 
remove and reinstall the translating door crank assembly bolts, in 
accordance with paragraph 3.B., ``Procedure,'' and steps 3.C.(4) and 
3.C.(5) of paragraph 3.C., ``Close Out,'' of Part B--RECTIFICATION, 
of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 
84-52-75, Revision A, dated July 11, 2013.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraphs (g), (g)(1), and (g)(2) of this AD, if those actions were 
performed before the effective date of this AD using Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-52-75, dated July 27, 2012, which is not 
incorporated by reference in this AD.

(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 
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, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2014-08, dated February 
10, 2014. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0569-0002.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (k)(3) and (k)(4) of this AD.

(k) 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 Service Bulletin 84-52-75, Revision A, dated July 
11, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt 
Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone 416-375-4000; 
fax 416-375-4539; 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 June 25, 2015.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-16463 Filed 7-6-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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