Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58827-58829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20376]



[[Page 58827]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-3990; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-153-AD; 
Amendment 39-18622; AD 2016-17-09]
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 all 
Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) and CL-
600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This AD was prompted by 
two in-service incidents reported on Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes regarding a loss of all 
air data information in the flight deck. This AD requires revision of 
the airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide procedures to guide the 
crew to stabilize the airplane's airspeed and attitude for continued 
safe flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of air data 
information that may affect continued safe flight.

DATES: This AD is effective September 30, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
30, 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; Widebody Customer Response Center North 
America toll-free telephone: 1-866-538-1247 or direct-dial telephone: 
1-514-855-2999; 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. It is also available on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2016-3990.

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-
3990; 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 all Bombardier, Inc. Model 
CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet 
Series 900) airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
March 4, 2016 (81 FR 11467) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by 
two in-service incidents reported on Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 
(Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes regarding a loss of all 
air data information in the flight deck. The NPRM proposed to require 
revision of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide procedures to 
guide the crew to stabilize the airplane's airspeed and attitude for 
continued safe flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of air 
data information that may affect continued safe flight.
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2015-08, dated April 
28, 2015 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for all Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet 
Series 705) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. The 
MCAI states:

    Two in-service incidents have been reported on CL-600-2C10 
aeroplanes regarding a loss of all air data information in the 
cockpit. The air data information was recovered as the aeroplane 
descended to lower altitudes. An investigation determined that the 
root cause in both events was high altitude icing (ice crystal 
contamination). If not addressed, this condition may affect 
continued safe flight.
    Due to similarities in the air data systems, such events could 
happen on all Bombardier CRJ models, CL-600-2B19, CL-600-2C10, CL-
600-2D15, CL-600-2D24 and CL-600-2E25. Therefore, the corrective 
actions for these models will be mandated once their respective 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) revisions become available.
    This [Canadian] AD mandates the incorporation of AFM procedures 
to guide the crew to stabilize the aeroplanes airspeed and attitude 
for continued safe flight.

    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-
3990.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to each comment.

Request for Further Investigation

    The Air Line Pilots Association stated that the AFM revision will 
not address the root cause of the high-altitude icing (ice crystal 
contamination), and requested that further investigation be done for 
the ice crystal contamination issue and remedies be provided in 
addition to the AFM amendments.
    We agree that the AFM revision will not address the root cause of 
the high-altitude icing (ice crystal contamination). The manufacturer 
is investigating the issue, but there is no timetable for a final 
resolution. Should the manufacturer develop modifications to prevent 
this problem, the FAA will consider further rulemaking. The 
incorporation of the AFM procedures is meant to be used to guide the 
crew on how to stabilize the airplane airspeed and altitude for 
continued safe flight in icing conditions. However, further 
investigation into this matter extends beyond the scope of this AD.

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 for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued Emergency Procedure 1., Unreliable

[[Page 58828]]

Airspeed, of Section 03-19, Emergency Procedures--Unreliable Airspeed, 
of Chapter 3, Emergency Procedures, in Volume 1 of the Bombardier CRJ 
Series Regional Jet CL-600-2D15 and CL-600-2D24 Airplane Flight Manual 
CSP C-012, Revision 11A, dated May 25, 2015. The service information 
describes procedures to guide the crew to stabilize the airplane's 
airspeed and attitude for continued safe flight. 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.

Interim Action

    Required actions in this AD apply only to Bombardier, Inc. Model 
CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet 
Series 900) airplanes. We may consider issuing further rulemaking on 
the other Bombardier airplane models identified previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 230 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                  product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFM revision..............................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85..             $85          $19,550
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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):

2016-17-09 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-18622; Docket No. FAA-
2016-3990; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-153-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 30, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2D15 
(Regional Jet Series 705) and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 34, Navigation.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of two in-service incidents on 
Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 
702) airplanes regarding a loss of all air data information in the 
flight deck. We are issuing this AD to prevent air data information 
loss that may affect continued safe flight.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
Emergency Procedures section of the AFM to include the information 
in Emergency Procedure 1., Unreliable Airspeed, of Section 03-19, 
Emergency Procedures--Unreliable Airspeed, of Chapter 3, Emergency 
Procedures, in Volume 1 of the Bombardier CRJ Series Regional Jet 
CL-600-2D15 and CL-600-2D24 AFM CSP C-012, Revision 11A, dated May 
25, 2015.

(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: Assata Dessaline, Aerospace 
Engineer, Avionics and Services Branch, ANE 172, FAA, New York ACO, 
1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 516-
228-7301; 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.

[[Page 58829]]

(i) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
Canadian AD CF-2015-08, dated 28 April, 2015, 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-2016-3990.

(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.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Section 03-19, Emergency Procedures--Unreliable Airspeed, of 
Chapter 3, Emergency Procedures, in Volume 1 of the Bombardier CRJ 
Series Regional Jet CL-600-2D15 and CL-600-2D24 Airplane Flight 
Manual CSP C-012, Revision 11A, dated May 25, 2015.
    (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; Widebody Customer Response Center 
North America toll-free telephone: 1-866-538-1247 or direct-dial 
telephone: 1-514-855-2999; 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 17, 2016.
Dorr M. Anderson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-20376 Filed 8-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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