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

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 199 (Wednesday, October 14, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64958-64961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22627]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0200; Product Identifier 2019-NM-185-AD; Amendment 
39-21276; AD 2020-21-03]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-14-
01, which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series 
airplanes. AD 2015-14-01 required a detailed inspection for loose bolts 
on the aft translating door crank assembly, and removal and 
reinstallation of the bolts. This AD retains the inspections of AD 
2015-14-01 and adds airplanes to the applicability. For all airplanes, 
this AD also requires a modification of the door crank handle, which 
will terminate the inspection requirements. This AD was prompted by 
reports of loose bolts that are intended to secure the translating door 
crank assembly to the outside handle shaft, and of sealant missing from 
these bolts on another translating door. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 18, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 18, 
2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of August 
11, 2015 (80 FR 38615, July 7, 2015).

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; 
telephone 416-375-4000; fax 416-375-4539; email [email protected]; 
internet https://dehavilland.com. You may view this referenced 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-2020-0200.

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-
0200; 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: Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, 
Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services Section, FAA, New York 
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 516-228-7323; 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-2014-08R1, dated July 
30, 2019 (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 (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) 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-
0200.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2015-14-01, Amendment 39-18199 (80 FR 
38615, July 7, 2015) (``AD 2015-14-01''). AD 2015-14-01 applied to 
certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on March 20, 2020 (85 FR 16008). The 
NPRM was prompted by reports of loose bolts that are intended to secure 
the translating door crank assembly to the outside handle shaft, and of 
sealant missing from these bolts on another translating door. The NPRM 
proposed to retain the requirements of AD 2015-14-01 and add airplanes 
to the applicability. The NPRM also proposed to require, for all 
airplanes, a modification of the door crank handle, which would 
terminate the inspection. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
potential for both bolts to become loose or fall out after the door is 
closed and locked, which would prevent the door from being opened from 
inside or outside and impede evacuation in the event of an emergency. 
See the MCAI for additional background information.

Comments

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

Request To Use the Latest Service Information

    Horizon Air requested that the FAA use the latest service 
information for the actions proposed in the NPRM.
    The FAA agrees with the comment. The FAA has revised paragraphs 
(i), (j) and (l) of this AD accordingly.

Request To Require Only Certain Sections of the Service Information

    Horizon Air requested that the proposed AD specifically require 
paragraph 3.B., ``Procedure,'' of the applicable service information 
specified in paragraphs (i)(1) through (3) of the proposed AD instead 
of the entire section of the Accomplishment Instructions. Horizon Air 
stated that the job set-up and close out sections of the Accomplishment 
Instructions do not directly correct the unsafe condition, and that 
incorporating the job set-up and close out sections restricts an 
operator's ability to perform other maintenance in conjunction with 
incorporating the service information.
    The FAA agrees with the commenter's request. Paragraphs 3.A., ``Job 
Set-Up,'' and 3.C., ``Close Out,'' of the

[[Page 64959]]

Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information 
specified in this AD are recommended steps that can be used at the 
operator's discretion. The FAA has revised this AD to specify that the 
actions in paragraph (i) of this AD be accomplished in accordance with 
paragraph 3.B., ``Procedure,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the applicable service information specified in paragraphs (i)(1) 
through (3) of this AD.

Changes to the Final Rule Since the NPRM Was Issued

    The FAA inadvertently referred to certain service information as 
``Bombardier Service Bulletin.'' The FAA has revised this AD to refer 
to certain service information as ``De Havilland Aircraft of Canada 
Limited Service Bulletin.''
    In addition, the FAA has removed Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-
75, dated July 27, 2012, from paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, as it was 
inadvertently cited and is not needed for the actions required in 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule with the changes described previously 
and 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.
    The FAA also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has issued the following 
service information.
    <bullet> De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 
84-52-89, Revision B, dated February 26, 2020.
    <bullet> De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 
84-52-92, Revision B, dated February 27, 2020.
    <bullet> De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 
84-52-94, Revision B, dated February 26, 2020.
    This service information describes procedures for modifying the 
door crank handle with an improved bolt retention design on the type 1 
emergency door, the aft entry door, and the aft service door, as 
necessary. These documents are distinct since they apply to different 
airplane configurations.
    De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has also issued Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-52-96, dated February 26, 2019, which describes 
procedures for a detailed visual inspection of the translating door 
crank assembly for any loose bolts.
    De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has also issued 
Modification Summary Package IS4Q5200101, Revision A, dated July 5, 
2019, which describes a deviation to the actions specified in certain 
service information.
    This AD would also require Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-75, 
Revision A, dated July 11, 2013, which the Director of the Federal 
Register approved for incorporation by reference as of August 11, 2015 
(80 FR 38615, July 7, 2015).
    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 59 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Labor cost                    Parts cost          Cost per product        Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 13 work[dash]hours x $85 per   Up to $677...........  Up to $1,782.........  Up to $105,138.
 hour = $1,105.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The FAA 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) 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-14-01, Amendment 39-18199 
(80 FR 38615, July7, 2015); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2020-21-03 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes: Amendment 39-21276; 
Docket No. FAA-2020-0200; Product Identifier 2019-NM-185-AD.

[[Page 64960]]

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 18, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2015-14-01, Amendment 39-18199 (80 FR 38615, 
July 7, 2015) (``AD 2015-14-01'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-8-400, -
401, and -402 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial 
numbers (S/Ns) 4001 through 4530 inclusive.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of loose bolts that are intended 
to secure the translating door crank assembly to the outside handle 
shaft, and of sealant missing from these bolts on another 
translating door. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
potential for both bolts to become loose or fall out after the door 
is closed and locked, which would prevent the door from being opened 
from inside or outside and 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 for S/Ns 4001 Through 4411 
Inclusive

    For airplane S/Ns 4001 through 4411 inclusive: Within 600 flight 
hours or 100 days, whichever occurs first after August 11, 2015 (the 
effective date of AD 2015-14-01): Perform a detailed inspection for 
loose bolts of the aft translating door crank assembly, 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.
    (1) If the detailed inspection was done before the effective 
date of this AD and the corrective action was done in accordance 
with 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: No further work is required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD.
    (2) If the detailed inspection is done on or after the effective 
date of this AD, and any loose bolt is found: Before further flight, 
do the modification in paragraph (i) of this AD.

(h) Inspection and Modification for S/Ns 4412 Through 4491 Inclusive

    For airplane S/Ns 4412 through 4491 inclusive: Within 800 flight 
hours or 120 days, whichever occurs first after the effective date 
of this AD, perform a detailed inspection for loose bolts of the 
translating door crank assembly, in accordance with paragraph 3.B., 
``Procedure,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-52-96, dated February 26, 2019.
    (1) If any loose bolt is found, before further flight do the 
modification specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
    (2) If no loose bolt is found, at the compliance time specified 
in paragraph (i) of this AD, do the modification specified in 
paragraph (i) of this AD.

(i) Modification for S/Ns 4001 Through 4530 Inclusive

    For airplane S/Ns 4001 through 4530 inclusive: Except as 
required by paragraphs (g)(2) and (h)(1) of this AD, within 8,000 
flight hours or 48 months, whichever occurs first after the 
effective date of this AD, modify the door crank handle with an 
improved bolt retention design on the type 1 emergency door, the aft 
entry door, and the aft service door, as applicable, in accordance 
with paragraph 3.B., ``Procedure,'' of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable service information specified in 
paragraphs (i)(1) through (3) of this AD.
    (1) For the aft entry door: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada 
Limited Service Bulletin 84-52-89, Revision B, dated February 26, 
2020.
    (2) For the aft service door: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada 
Limited Service Bulletin 84-52-92, Revision B, dated February 27, 
2020.
    (3) For the type 1 emergency door: De Havilland Aircraft of 
Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-52-94, Revision B, dated February 
26, 2020.

(j) Alternative Modification

    For airplanes with de Havilland Modification Summary Package 
4Q459324 incorporated for the cargo combi configuration: 
Accomplishing the modification in paragraph (i) of this AD using De 
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-52-89, 
Revision B, dated February 26, 2020; and De Havilland Aircraft of 
Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-52-92, Revision B, dated February 
27, 2020; as applicable; in combination with de Havilland 
Modification Summary Package IS4Q5200101, Revision A, dated July 5, 
2019, also meets the requirement specified in paragraph (i) of this 
AD for the aft entry and aft service doors.

(k) Terminating Actions

    Accomplishing the action required by paragraph (i) of this AD 
terminates the requirements of paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.

(l) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by the 
introductory text to paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were 
performed before August 11, 2015 (the effective date of AD 2015-14-
01) using Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-75, dated July 27, 2012, 
which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for the modification of the 
applicable doors in paragraphs (i) and (j) of this AD, if the 
modification was performed before the effective date of this AD 
using the applicable service information specified in paragraphs 
(l)(2)(i) through (vi) of this AD.
    (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-89, dated April 13, 2017.
    (ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-89, Revision A, dated 
January 29, 2018.
    (iii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-92, dated April 18, 
2017.
    (iv) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-92, Revision A, dated 
January 24, 2018.
    (v) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-94, dated April 13, 2017.
    (vi) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-94, Revision A, dated 
January 24, 2018.

(m) Other FAA AD Provisions

    (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; 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.
    (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-2014-08R1, dated July 30, 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-2020-0200.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Darren Gassetto, 
Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services 
Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7323; 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)(5) and (6) 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.

[[Page 64961]]

    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
November 18, 2020.
    (i) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-
52-89, Revision B, dated February 26, 2020.
    (ii) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 
84-52-92, Revision B, dated February 27, 2020.
    (iii) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 
84-52-94, Revision B, dated February 26, 2020.
    (iv) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-96, dated February 26, 
2019.
    (v) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Modification Summary 
Package IS4Q5200101, Revision A, dated July 5, 2019.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
August 11, 2015 (80 FR 38615, July7, 2015).
    (i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-75, Revision A, dated July 
11, 2013.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) 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; telephone 
416-375-4000; fax 416-375-4539; email [email protected]; internet 
https://dehavilland.com.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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 October 1, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-22627 Filed 10-13-20; 8:45 am]
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