Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 98 (Wednesday, May 20, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30595-30597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-10741]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0101; Product Identifier 2019-NM-190-AD; Amendment 
39-19908; AD 2020-09-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited 
(Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-400 series 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that certain elevator power 
control unit (PCU) arm fittings have nonconforming fillet radii. This 
AD requires an inspection for affected elevator PCU assemblies, 
inspections of affected elevator PCU arm fittings for nonconforming 
fillet radii and cracks, replacement if necessary, and re-
identification of the affected elevator PCU assemblies. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 24, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 24, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, Q-Series Technical 
Help Desk, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; 
phone: 416-375-4000; fax: 416-375-4539; email: [email protected]; 
internet: https://dehavilland.com. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is 
also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0101.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0101; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is 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: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart 
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7330; fax: 516-
794-5531; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2019-36, dated October 
18, 2019 (``AD CF-2019-36'') (also referred to as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited 
Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. You may examine the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0101.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain De Havilland 
Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on February 24, 2020 (85 FR 10344). 
The NPRM was prompted by a report that certain elevator PCU arm 
fittings have nonconforming fillet radii. The NPRM proposed to require 
an inspection for affected elevator PCU assemblies, inspections of 
affected elevator PCU arm fittings for nonconforming fillet radii and 
cracks, replacement if necessary, and re-identification of the affected 
elevator PCU assemblies. The FAA is issuing this AD to address elevator 
PCU assemblies with nonconforming fillet radii, which could lead to 
premature failure of the fitting and a jam in one elevator; if the 
fittings on both elevators fail, a complete loss of elevator control 
could occur. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no

[[Page 30596]]

comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, 
except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these 
minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing 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

    De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has issued Service Bulletin 
84-55-10, Revision A, dated July 25, 2019. This service information 
describes procedures for an inspection for affected elevator PCU 
assemblies, inspections of affected elevator PCU arm fittings for 
nonconforming fillet radii and cracks, replacement if necessary, and 
re-identification of the affected elevator PCU assemblies. 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

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 38 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $425...........................              $0             $425          $16,150
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition replacement that would be required based on the results of 
any required inspections. The FAA has no way of determining the number 
of aircraft that might need this on-condition replacement:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Labor cost                Parts cost         Cost per product
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14 work-hours x $85 per hour  Up to $9,060 ($1,510  Up to $10,250.
 = $1,190.                     per elevator PCU
                               arm fittings--6
                               total 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.
    The FAA is 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

    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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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):

2020-09-12 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-19908; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0101; Product Identifier 2019-NM-190-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective June 24, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model 
DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, serial numbers 4001 and subsequent.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that certain elevator power 
control unit (PCU) arm fittings have nonconforming fillet radii. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address elevator PCU assemblies with 
nonconforming fillet radii, which could lead to premature failure of 
the fitting and a jam in one elevator; if the fittings on both 
elevators fail, a complete loss of elevator control could occur.

(f) Compliance

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

[[Page 30597]]

(g) Definition

    Affected elevator PCU assemblies are those having part number 
85527021-005 or 85527021-006, and having serial number MMC4255 
through MMC4276 inclusive.

(h) Inspections

    For airplanes having serial numbers 4001 through 4620 inclusive, 
within 8,000 flight cycles on the elevator PCU assembly after the 
effective date of this AD, or before the accumulation of 30,000 
total flight cycles on the elevator PCU assembly, whichever occurs 
first: Do the actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (2) of this 
AD.
    (1) Inspect to determine the part number and serial number of 
each elevator PCU assembly installed on the airplane. A review of 
airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this 
inspection if the part number and serial number of the elevator PCU 
assembly can be conclusively determined from that review.
    (2) If, during any inspection or records review required by 
paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, any affected elevator PCU assembly is 
found, do a detailed inspection of the elevator PCU arm fittings for 
undersized fillet radii and cracks of the fillet radii in accordance 
with Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland 
Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-55-10, Revision A, 
dated July 25, 2019. If no undersized fillet radii or cracks of the 
fillet radii are found, before further flight, re-identify the 
affected elevator PCU assembly in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service 
Bulletin 84-55-10, Revision A, dated July 25, 2019.

(i) Corrective Actions

    If during any inspection of the elevator PCU arm fittings 
required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, any undersized fillet radii 
or cracks of the fillet radii are found, before further flight, 
replace the elevator PCU arm fittings and re-identify each affected 
elevator PCU assembly in accordance with Part B of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada 
Limited Service Bulletin 84-55-10, Revision A, dated July 25, 2019.

(j) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an 
affected elevator PCU assembly on any airplane, unless it has been 
re-identified in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-55-10, 
Revision A, dated July 25, 2019.

(k) 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 De Havilland Aircraft of 
Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-55-10, dated May 29, 2019.

(l) No Reporting Requirement

    Although De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service 
Bulletin 84-55-10, Revision A, dated July 25, 2019, specifies to 
submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

(m) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York ACO Branch, 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 manager of the certification 
office, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational 
Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 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.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO 
Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or De 
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited's TCCA Design Approval 
Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must 
include the DAO-authorized signature.

(n) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian AD CF-2019-36, dated October 18, 2019, for related 
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet 
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2020-0101.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Andrea Jimenez, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York 
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: 516-228-7330; fax: 516-794-5531; email: [email protected].
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (o)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(o) 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) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-
55-10, Revision A, dated July 25, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact De 
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 
123 Garratt Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; phone: 416-
375-4000; fax: 416-375-4539; email: [email protected]; internet: 
https://dehavilland.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (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, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on May 6, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-10741 Filed 5-19-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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