Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 Airplanes and Model DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 56 (Friday, March 23, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13683-13685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5217]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26725; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-161-AD; 
Amendment 39-15000; AD 2007-06-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -
106 Airplanes and Model DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 Series 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 Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes and Model 
DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This AD requires modifying 
the main landing gear (MLG) and nose landing gear (NLG) handle 
assemblies for alternate release and the MLG retaining plate. This AD 
also requires doing a related investigative action and corrective 
action if necessary. This AD results from reports of broken or damaged 
MLG and NLG alternate release cables caused by rubbing and fraying at 
the cable-to-handle interface. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
breakage of the MLG and NLG alternate release cables, which, if the 
normal gear extension fails, could result in the inability to extend 
the MLG or NLG and consequent collapse of the landing gear during 
ground maneuvers or upon landing.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 27, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of April 27, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 
123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada, for service 
information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra Sasson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New 
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7320; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management 
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office 
(telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would

[[Page 13684]]

apply to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes 
and Model DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 series airplanes. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on January 8, 2007 (72 FR 662). That 
NPRM proposed to require modifying the main landing gear (MLG) and nose 
landing gear handle assemblies for alternate release and the MLG 
retaining plate. That NPRM also proposed to require doing a related 
investigative action and corrective action if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        Number of U.S.-
                               Action                                   Work hours     Average labor       Cost per        registered       Fleet cost
                                                                                       rate per hour       airplane        airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification.......................................................               5              $80             $400              164          $65,600
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 have 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 DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-06-19 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment 
39-15000. Docket No. FAA-2006-26725; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
161-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective April 27, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, DHC-8-103, 
and DHC-8-106 airplanes and Model DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 series 
airplanes; certificated in any category; serial numbers 003 through 
579 inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of broken or damaged main 
landing gear (MLG) and nose landing gear (NLG) alternate release 
cables caused by rubbing and fraying at the cable-to-handle 
interface. We are issuing this AD to prevent breakage of the MLG and 
NLG alternate release cables, which, if the normal gear extension 
fails, could result in the inability to extend the MLG or NLG and 
consequent collapse of the landing gear during ground maneuvers or 
upon landing.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Modification

    (f) Within 3,000 flight hours after the effective date of this 
AD, modify the MLG and NLG handle assemblies for alternate release 
and the MLG retaining plate, do the related investigative action, 
and the corrective action as applicable, by accomplishing all the 
applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-32-146, Revision `D,' dated February 
7, 2003. Do the corrective action, as applicable, before further 
flight.

Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (g) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-32-146, dated 
September 10, 1999; Revision `A,' dated January 17, 2001; Revision 
`B,' dated June 25, 2001; or Revision `C,' dated January 24, 2003; 
are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
action specified in this AD.

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
any part specified in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3) of this 
AD, on any airplane.
    (1) MLG handle assembly, part number (P/N) 83260042.
    (2) NLG handle assembly, P/N 83260020.
    (3) MLG retaining plate, P/N 83260043.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in

[[Page 13685]]

accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (j) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2006-09, issued May 8, 
2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-32-146, Revision 
`D,' dated February 7, 2003, to perform the actions that are 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Contact Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 123 
Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada, for a copy of 
this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or 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 March 13, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-5217 Filed 3-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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