[Federal Register: May 19, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 97)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 28865-28867]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19my04-17]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-46-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional
Jet Series 700 & 701) Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-
2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700 & 701) series airplanes. This proposal
would require an inspection of the thrust reverser cascades for correct
installation; removing and reinstalling the cascade in the correct
location, if necessary; and reworking the thrust reverser cascades to
add locating spigots (metal protrusions) to each cascade; as
applicable. This action is necessary to prevent asymmetric reverse
thrust and consequent loss of control of the airplane during reverse
thrust operation. This action is intended to address the identified
unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 18, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-46-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2003-NM-46-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box
6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. This
information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, New York
Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410,
Westbury, New York.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Delisio, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410, Westbury, New
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7321; fax (516) 794-5531.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2003-NM-46-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2003-NM-46-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056; or at the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600
Stewart Avenue, suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590.
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness
authority for Canada, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700
& 701) series airplanes. TCCA advises that an incident occurred during
a pre-delivery flight where, upon landing and application of maximum
thrust reverser, the airplane veered to the right from the runway
heading. Investigation revealed that the thrust reverser cascades
configuration of the left engine was incorrectly installed during
production. The cascades have different part numbers to control the
correct installation location; however, it is physically possible that
diagonally opposed thrust reverser cascades can be intermixed in either
engine at any time the assemblies are changed. Incorrectly installed
thrust reverser cascades, if not corrected, could cause asymmetric
reverse thrust and consequent loss of control of the airplane during
reverse thrust operation.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
For certain airplanes, Bombardier has issued Alert Service Bulletin
A670BA-78-001, Revision A, dated April 23, 2002, which describes
procedures for performing a general visual inspection of the thrust
reverser cascades for correct installation, and removing and
reinstalling the cascade in the correct cascade location, if necessary.
TCCA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-2002-30, dated May 22, 2002, in order to
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.
For certain airplanes, Bombardier has also issued Service Bulletin
670BA-78-003, dated January 22, 2004, which describes procedures for
reworking the thrust reverser cascades to add locating spigots (metal
protrusions) to each
[[Page 28866]]
cascade. TCCA has approved this service bulletin.
Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-78-003 refers to GE Aircraft
Engines Service Bulletin 670GE-78-008, dated December 17, 2003, as an
additional source of information for accomplishment of the rework.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the Bombardier service
bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe
condition.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in Canada and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, TCCA has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of
TCCA, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action
is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the applicable Bombardier service bulletins
described previously.
Differences Between Proposed Rule and Canadian Airworthiness Directive
Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2002-30 requires inspection of
the thrust reverser cascades (interim action) per Bombardier Alert
Service Bulletin A670BA-78-001, Revision A. Unlike the Canadian
airworthiness directive, for certain airplanes, the proposed AD would
require rework of the thrust reverser cascades (terminating action) per
Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-78-003. After the issuance of the
Canadian airworthiness directive, TCCA approved Bombardier Service
Bulletin 670BA-78-003, and is considering superseding CF-2002-30 to
mandate rework of the thrust reverser cascades (terminating action).
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 102 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $65 per work
hour.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the proposed inspection. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
proposed inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,630, or $65
per airplane, per inspection cycle.
It would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed modification. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the proposed rework on U.S. operators is estimated to be $26,520, or
$260 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions
in the future if this proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD.
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time
necessitated by other administrative actions. Manufacturer warranty
remedies may be available for labor costs associated with this proposed
AD. As a result, the costs attributable to the proposed AD may be less
than stated above.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Docket 2003-NM-46-AD.
Applicability: Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700 & 701)
series airplanes, serial numbers 10003 through 10116 inclusive,
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent asymmetric reverse thrust and consequent loss of
control of the airplane during reverse thrust operation, accomplish
the following:
Inspection
(a) For airplanes with serial numbers 10005 through 10040
inclusive: Within 72 flight hours or 30 days from the effective date
of the AD, whichever occurs first, perform a general visual
inspection of the thrust reverser cascades for correct installation,
per the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service
Bulletin A670BA-78-001, Revision A, dated April 23, 2002.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure,
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting,
flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''
Repetitive Inspections for Certain Airplanes
(b) For airplanes with serial numbers 10003 through 10116
inclusive: Each time the thrust reverser cascade is removed and
reinstalled, perform the action specified in paragraph (a) of this
AD.
Corrective Action
(c) If any thrust reverser cascade is found to be incorrectly
installed during any inspection required by paragraph (a) or (b) of
this AD, before further flight, remove and reinstall the cascade in
the correct location, per the Accomplishment Instructions of
[[Page 28867]]
Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A670BA-78-001, Revision A, dated
April 23, 2002.
Terminating Action
(d) Within 6,000 flight hours from the effective date of the AD,
rework the thrust reverser cascades by accomplishing all the actions
in the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin
670BA-78-003, dated January 22, 2004. Accomplishment of the rework
terminates the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD.
Note 2: Bombardier Service Bulletin 670A-78-003, references GE
Aircraft Engines Service Bulletin 670GE-78-008, dated December 17,
2003, as an additional source of service information for the
accomplishment of the rework.
Parts Installation
(e) Except as provided by paragraphs (b) and (c) of this AD, as
of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on any
airplane a thrust reverser cascade with powerplant system, serial
numbers PS0003 through PS0116 inclusive, left- and right-hand,
unless it has been reworked per Bombardier Service Bulletin 670BA-
78-003, dated January 22, 2004.
Previous Actions
(f) Inspections accomplished before the effective date of this
AD per Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A670BA-78-001, dated April
19, 2002, are considered acceptable for compliance with paragraph
(a) and (b) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(g) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, New York
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian
airworthiness directive CF-2002-30, dated May 22, 2002.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 11, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-11289 Filed 5-18-04; 8:45 am]
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