Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 12, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44981-44983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16321]



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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 133 / Tuesday, July 12, 2016 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 44981]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5590; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-018-AD; 
Amendment 39-18588; AD 2016-14-07
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440), 
Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), Model CL-600-
2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 
900), and Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This 
AD was prompted by reports of undesirable changes in the Reference 
Airspeed (RAS) Bug, occurring during flight without pilot input. This 
AD requires replacing the flight control computer (FCC). We are issuing 
this AD to prevent uncommanded pitch changes, which could result in 
deviation from a safe flight path.

DATES: This AD is effective August 16, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 16, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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. 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-2016-5590.

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-2016-
5590; 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 Office (telephone 
800-647-5527) is 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 20590.

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 CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440), Model CL-600-2C10 
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet 
Series 705), Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and Model CL-
600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on April 14, 2016 (81 FR 22037) (``the NPRM''). 
The NPRM was prompted by reports of undesirable changes in the RAS Bug, 
occurring during flight without pilot input. The NPRM proposed to 
require replacing the FCC. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
uncommanded pitch changes, which could result in deviation from a safe 
flight path.
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2016-02, dated January 20, 2016 (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-
2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440), Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet 
Series 700, 701, & 702), Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), 
Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and Model CL-600-2E25 
(Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. The MCAI states:

    There have been numerous reports of uncommanded changes in the 
Reference Airspeed (RAS) Bug during flight. When the Auto Flight 
Control System (AFCS) is in a speed mode (CLB, DES, IAS or MACH), 
the flight director will show vertical guidance to achieve or 
maintain the reference airspeed. If the autopilot is engaged, the 
aeroplane will automatically follow that vertical guidance and cause 
the aeroplane to pitch up or pitch down. Investigation revealed that 
this uncommanded reference airspeed changes were caused by the FCC 
that did not correctly read the input data from the Input/Output 
Concentrator. If not corrected, these uncommanded pitch changes 
could create hazard for continued safe flight. This [Canadian] AD 
mandates installation of a new filter to the Input/Output Circuit 
Card in the FCC.

    Uncommanded pitch changes, if not corrected, could result in 
deviation from a safe flight path. Corrective actions include replacing 
the FCC. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2016-5590.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received. The commenter supported 
the NPRM.

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.

[[Page 44982]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-22-018, Revision A, 
dated November 3, 2015; and Service Bulletin 670BA-22-009, dated August 
17, 2015. The service information describes procedures for replacing 
the FCCs. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 1,008 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace FCC........................  3 work-hours x $85 per hour          $2,800          $3,055      $3,079,440
                                      = $255 per airplane.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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):

2016-14-07 Bombardier, Inc. Amendment 39-18588. Docket No. FAA-2016-
5590; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-018-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 16, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., airplanes, certificated in 
any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(5) of this 
AD, all serial numbers, that are equipped with a flight control 
computer (FCC) with a part number and serial number listed in 
paragraph 1A., ``Effectivity'', of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-
22-018, Revision A, dated November 3, 2015; or Service Bulletin 
670BA-22-009, dated August 17, 2015; as applicable.
    (1) Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes.
    (2) Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) 
airplanes.
    (3) Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes.
    (4) Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes.
    (5) Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 22, Auto Flight.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of undesirable changes in the 
Reference Airspeed (RAS) Bug, occurring during flight without pilot 
input. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded pitch changes, 
which could result in deviation from a safe flight path.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replace the FCC for Certain Airplanes

    Within 33 months after the effective date of this AD: Remove the 
FCC from the integrated avionic processor system (IAPS) and replace 
the FCC, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
applicable service information specified in paragraph (g)(1) or 
(g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-22-018, Revision A, dated 
November 3, 2015; or
    (2) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-22-009, dated August 17, 
2015.

(h) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of 12 months after the effective date of this AD, no person 
may install any FCC having a part or serial number identified in 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-22-018, Revision A, dated November 
3, 2015; or Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-22-009, dated August 
17, 2015; unless ``SB 50'' is marked on the FCC modification chart 
(MOD chart).

(i) 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 601R-22-018, dated 
August 17, 2015, as applicable. This service information is not 
incorporated by reference in this AD.

(j) 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

[[Page 44983]]

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 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2016-02, dated January 
20, 2016, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-5590.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (l)(3) and (l)(4) of this AD.

(l) 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 601R-22-018, Revision A, dated 
November 3, 2015.
    (ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-22-009, dated August 17, 
2015.
    (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 June 28, 2016.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-16321 Filed 7-11-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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