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

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 71 (Thursday, April 13, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22364-22367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07737]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1482; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00697-T; 
Amendment 39-22389; AD 2023-06-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 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-8-401 and -
402 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an investigation of incorrectly 
manufactured sleeves that were potentially installed in the main 
landing gear (MLG) forward door linkage assembly. This AD requires 
review of technical records and inspections to determine if a 
discrepant sleeve is installed, replacement of any discrepant sleeve 
and re-identification of the MLG forward door linkage assembly. This AD 
also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 18, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 18, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at under Docket No. FAA-
2022-1482; 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, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The address for 
Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket

[[Page 22365]]

Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, Dash 8 Series Customer 
Response Centre, 5800 Explorer Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 5K9, 
Canada; telephone North America (toll-free): 855-310-1013, Direct: 647-
277-5820; email dehavilland.com">thd@dehavilland.com; website dehavilland.com.
    <bullet> 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 at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1482.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gabriel Kim, 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: 

Background

    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-8-401 and -402 airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on November 25, 2022 (87 FR 72424). 
The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2022-29, dated May 27, 2022, issued by 
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada (referred 
to after this as the MCAI). The MCAI states that some forward door 
linkage sleeves, part number (P/N) 46878-1, have been manufactured 
without lubrication grooves on the outer diameter. An investigation 
confirmed that incorrectly manufactured sleeves were potentially 
supplied from October 2019 to July 2021. A discrepant sleeve with 
missing lubrication grooves can result in the fatigue failure of the 
forward door linkage, leading to possible interference with the 
extension or retraction of the corresponding MLG. This condition, if 
not corrected and when combined with other failures, could result in an 
asymmetric MLG configuration at landing and a subsequent runway 
excursion.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require review of technical 
records and inspections to determine if a discrepant sleeve is 
installed, replacement of any discrepant sleeve and re-identification 
of the MLG forward door linkage assembly. The FAA also proposed to 
prohibit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1482.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from The Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.
    The FAA received an additional comment from Horizon Air. The 
following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response to the comment.

Request To Refer to Latest Revision of Service Bulletin and Allow 
Credit for Required Actions Using Previous Service Bulletin

    Horizon Air stated De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service 
Bulletin 84-32-169, Revision A, dated July 21, 2022, has been released. 
Horizon Air asked the FAA to revise the proposed AD to refer to De 
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-32-169, 
Revision A, dated July 21, 2022. Horizon Air also asked the FAA to 
allow credit for required actions done in accordance with De Havilland 
Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-32-169, dated February 
28, 2022, prior to the effective date of the AD.
    The FAA agrees to use the updated service information. De Havilland 
Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-32-169, Revision A, 
dated July 21, 2022, including Collins Aerospace Service Bulletin 
46860-32-150, Revision 1, dated June 28, 2022, does not substantively 
affect the requirements proposed in the NPRM and only makes minor 
changes by adding references to an advisory document and the MCAI AD. 
The FAA has revised this final rule to refer to De Havilland Aircraft 
of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-32-169, Revision A, dated July 
21, 2022, including Collins Aerospace Service Bulletin 46860-32-150, 
Revision 1, dated June 28, 2022. The FAA has also added paragraph (i) 
to this AD to provide credit for actions done in accordance with De 
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-32-169, dated 
February 28, 2022, including Collins Aerospace Service Bulletin 46860-
32-150, dated February 1, 2022, prior to the effective date of this AD.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the 
comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting 
this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on this product. Except for minor editorial 
changes, and any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted 
as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic 
burden on any operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service 
Bulletin 84-32-169, Revision A, dated July 21, 2022, including Collins 
Aerospace Service Bulletin 46860-32-150, Revision 1, dated June 28, 
2022. This service information specifies procedures for review of the 
airplane records to determine the date of replacement, if any, of 
sleeve P/N 46878-1, a visual inspection of affected sleeves for the 
presence of lubrication grooves, and a visual inspection of the swivel 
link, clevis assembly, and swivel end assembly for discrepancies 
including signs of damage, deformation, erosion, and corrosion. 
Corrective actions include replacement of any sleeve that has missing 
lubrication grooves; repair or replacement of any discrepant swivel 
link, clevis assembly, and swivel end assembly; and re-identification 
of the forward door linkage. Assemble the forward door linkage, torque 
self-locking nuts, and re-install the forward door linkage 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 56 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 22366]]



                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255...........................              $0             $255          $14,280
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions 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 these on-condition actions:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255 to           $1,284           $1,539
 replace the sleeve...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD.
    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected operators.

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:

2023-06-03 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22389; Docket No. 
FAA-2022-1482; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00697-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 18, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (type 
certificate previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-8-401 and 
-402 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 4001, 
4003 and subsequent.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an investigation of incorrectly 
manufactured sleeves that were potentially installed in the main 
landing gear (MLG) forward door linkages. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the discrepant sleeves with missing lubrication grooves, 
which can result in the fatigue failure of the forward door linkage, 
leading to possible interference with the extension or retraction of 
the corresponding MLG. The unsafe condition, if not corrected and 
when combined with other failures, could result in an asymmetric MLG 
configuration at landing and a subsequent runway excursion.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Airplane Records Review

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, review the 
airplane records to determine whether any sleeve P/N 46878-1 was 
replaced after October 29, 2019, on any MLG forward door linkage 
assembly P/N 46860.
    (1) For any sleeve P/N 46878-1 that was replaced after October 
29, 2019, and for any sleeve for which its replacement date cannot 
be conclusively determined from the records: Within 1,500 flight 
cycles after the effective date of this AD, do the actions specified 
in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD, in accordance with 
Section 3.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland 
Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-32-169, Revision A, 
dated July 21, 2022, including Collins Aerospace Service Bulletin 
46860-32-150, Revision 1, dated June 28, 2022.
    (i) Do a general visual inspection of the sleeve for the 
presence of lubrication grooves, and before further flight replace 
any sleeve that does not have lubrication grooves.
    (ii) Do a general visual inspection of the MLG forward door 
linkage assemblies (swivel

[[Page 22367]]

link, clevis assembly, and swivel end assembly) for damage, 
deformation, erosion, and corrosion, and before further flight 
repair or replace the discrepant parts.
    (2) If the records confirm that no maintenance was performed on 
the MLG forward door linkage assembly P/N 46860 after October 29, 
2019, no further action is required by this paragraph.

(h) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on 
any airplane, a sleeve P/N 46878-1 with missing lubrication grooves.

(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 the service information identified in De 
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-32-169, 
dated February 28, 2022, including Collins Aerospace Service 
Bulletin 46860-32-150, dated February 1, 2022.

(j) Additional 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 the attention of the person identified in 
paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected] or 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; or De Havilland Aircraft of Canada 
Limited's Transport Canada Design Approval Organization (DAO). If 
approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized 
signature.

(k) Additional Information

    (1) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2022-29, dated May 27, 2022, 
for related information. This Transport Canada AD may be found in 
the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1482.
    (2) For more information about this AD contact Gabriel Kim, 
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].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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-
32-169, Revision A, dated July 21, 2022, including Collins Aerospace 
Service Bulletin 46860-32-150, Revision 1, dated June 28, 2022.
    Note 1 to paragraph (l)(2)(i): De Havilland issued De Havilland 
Service Bulletin 84-32-169, Revision A, dated July 21, 2022, with 
Collins Aerospace Service Bulletin 46860-32-150, Revision 1, dated 
June 28, 2022, attached as one ``merged'' file for the convenience 
of affected operators.
    (ii) Reserved
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact De 
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, Dash 8 Series Customer 
Response Centre, 5800 Explorer Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 5K9, 
Canada; telephone North America (toll-free): 855-310-1013, Direct: 
647-277-5820; email dehavilland.com">thd@dehavilland.com; website 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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on March 14, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-07737 Filed 4-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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