Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 164 (Tuesday, August 25, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51459-51461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20584]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-1050; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-123-AD; 
Amendment 39-18241; AD 2015-17-08]
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 an in-service report of an uncommanded and unannunciated nose wheel 
steering during airplane pushback from the gate. This AD requires 
installing new cable assemblies with a pull-down resistor. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded nose wheel steering during 
takeoff or landing in the event of an open circuit in the steering 
system, and possible consequent runway excursion.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 29, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
29, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-1050 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-
1050.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Assata Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer, 
Avionics and Services Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 
NY 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 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 January 23, 2015 (80 FR 3504).
    The Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2013-38, dated November 28, 2013 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-
400, -401, and -402 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

    There has been one in-service report of an un-commanded and un-
annunciated nose wheel steering during aeroplane push-back from the 
gate. The investigation revealed that a design deficiency exists 
within the steering control unit (SCU) where an open circuit may not 
be adequately detected and annunciated to the flight crew. A 
sustained open circuit could result in an un-commanded and un-
annunciated nose wheel steering input.
    Un-commanded nose wheel steering during takeoff or landing may 
lead to a runway excursion.
    This [Canadian] AD mandates the installation of new cable 
assemblies, with a pull-down resistor, to ensure that the nose wheel 
steering system reverts to fail-safe free castor mode in the event 
of an open circuit in the steering system.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-1050-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM (80 FR 
3504, January 23, 2015) and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Remove Certain Service Information Procedures

    Horizon Air requested that we amend paragraph (g) of the proposed 
AD (80 FR 3504, January 23, 2015) to exclude Part A, ``Job Set-up,'' 
and Part C ``Close Out,'' sections of the Accomplishment Instructions 
in Bombardier Service

[[Page 51460]]

Bulletin 84-32-122, Revision A, dated August 28, 2013 Horizon Air 
stated that Part A, ``Job Set-up,'' and Part C, ``Close Out,'' do not 
directly correct the unsafe condition. Horizon Air explained that 
requiring operators to perform the actions in these sections in a 
specific manner restricts the operator's ability to perform other 
maintenance in conjunction with performing the corrective action.
    We agree with the commenter's request to exclude the ``Job Set-up'' 
and ``Close Out'' sections of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-122, Revision A, dated August 28, 
2013. We have revised paragraph (g) of this AD to require 
accomplishment of only paragraph B., ``Procedure,'' of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-122, 
Revision A, dated October 4, 2013.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the change described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (80 FR 3504, January 23, 2015) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 3504, January 23, 2015).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued Service Bulletin 84-32-122, Revision A, 
dated October 4, 2013. This service information describes procedures 
for incorporating Bombardier Modification Summary (Modsum) 4-126585 to 
install new cable assemblies with a pull-down resistor to the pilot 
hand control and rudder pedal potentiometer of the nose wheel steering 
control unit. 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 81 airplanes 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 $2,541 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $247,131, or $3,051 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/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-1050; 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):

2015-17-08 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-18241. Docket No. FAA-
2014-1050; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-123-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective September 29, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and-
402 series airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 
4001 through 4448 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by an in-service report of an uncommanded 
and unannunciated nose wheel steering during airplane pushback from 
the gate. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded nose 
wheel steering during takeoff or landing in the event of an open 
circuit in the steering system, and possible consequent runway 
excursion.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Incorporate Bombardier Modification Summary (Modsum) 4-126585

    Within 2,000 flight cycles or 12 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Incorporate Bombardier Modsum 4-
126585 to install new cable assemblies, with a pull-down resistor, 
in accordance with paragraph B., ``Procedure,'' of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-
122, Revision A, dated October 4, 2013.

[[Page 51461]]

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-122, dated 
August 28, 2013. This service information 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 New York 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, FAA; or the 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-2013-38, dated November 
28, 2013, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-1050.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference may be obtained 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 84-32-122, Revision A, dated 
October 4, 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 August 10, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-20584 Filed 8-24-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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