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

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 5, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19617-19619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07083]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1068; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00383-T; 
Amendment 39-21981; AD 2022-06-15]
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 all 
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and -402 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of bleed air leaks in the 
wing box area and failure of the leak detection shroud. This AD 
requires removing and inspecting the affected V-band coupling and check 
valve seals, doing corrective actions if necessary, and replacing the 
coupling and seals with a redesigned assembly. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 10, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 10, 
2022.

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 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-2021-1068.

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-2021-
1068; 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: Elizabeth Dowling, Aerospace Engineer, 
Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services Section, FAA, New York 
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2021-11, dated March 29, 
2021 (TCCA AD CF-2021-11) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition 
for all De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and -
402 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-2021-1068.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all De Havilland 
Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on December 17, 2021 (86 FR 71594). 
The NPRM was prompted by reports of bleed air leaks in the wing box 
area and failure of the leak detection shroud. The NPRM proposed to 
require removing and inspecting the affected V-band coupling and check 
valve seals, doing corrective actions if necessary, and replacing the 
coupling and seals with a redesigned assembly. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the possibility of undetected hot engine bleed air being 
directed onto aircraft structure, the main landing gear (MLG) emergency 
release cable, and the static air temperature (SAT) sensor, which could 
cause the main landing gear emergency release cable to malfunction. See 
the MCAI for additional background information.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment 
received. The Air Line

[[Page 19618]]

Pilots Association, International (ALPA), indicated its support for 
NPRM.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, 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 
84-36-06, dated December 15, 2020. This service information describes 
procedures for removing the affected V-band coupling and check valve 
seals, doing a visual inspection of the coupling covers and surrounding 
area for damage due to bleed air leakage, and replacing the coupling 
and seals with a redesigned assembly.
    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 82 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340...........................             $75             $415          $34,030
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85......              $5              $90
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for correcting damage in the area surrounding the coupling 
covers.

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.

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:

2022-06-15 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-21981; Docket No. 
FAA-2021-1068; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00383-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 10, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited 
(Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-8-
401 and -402 airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 36, Pneumatic.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of bleed air leaks in the wing 
box area and failure of the leak detection shroud. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the possibility of undetected hot engine 
bleed air being directed onto aircraft structure, the main landing 
gear (MLG) emergency release cable, and the static air temperature 
(SAT) sensor,

[[Page 19619]]

which could cause the main landing gear emergency release cable to 
malfunction.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 48 months or 8,000 flight hours, whichever occurs first, 
from the effective date of this AD: Remove the affected V-band 
coupling and check valve seals, do a visual inspection for damage to 
the coupling covers and surrounding area, and replace the coupling 
and seals with a redesigned assembly, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.B., of de Havilland Service 
Bulletin 84-36-06, dated December 15, 2020.
    (1) If any damage to a coupling cover is found, replace the 
coupling cover before further flight in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of de Havilland Service Bulletin 84-36-
06, dated December 15, 2020.
    (2) If any damage to the surrounding area is found, before 
further flight, accomplish corrective actions in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD.

(h) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a V-
band coupling, part number (P/N) DSC361-250, or check valve seal, P/
N MS35769-71, in the center wing front spar area of any airplane.

(i) 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 responsible Flight Standards 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. Before using any 
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or 
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight 
Standards 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) TCCA AD CF-2021-11, dated March 29, 2021, 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-2021-1068.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Elizabeth 
Dowling, Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Administrative 
Services Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].

(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) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-
36-06, dated December 15, 2020.
    (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; telephone 
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.
    (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 March 10, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-07083 Filed 4-4-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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