[Federal Register: January 30, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 20)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 4454-4455]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30ja04-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-311-AD; Amendment 39-13440; AD 2004-02-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -
402 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD);
applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402
airplanes; that requires replacing certain flight guidance modules with
improved modules, and certain flight control electronic control units
with improved units. This action is necessary to prevent loss of the
autopilot or manual pitch trim, which may increase the workload of the
flightcrew and, under certain conditions, could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the
identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective March 5, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 5, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division,
123 Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. This
information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington; at the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification
Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York; or at the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ezra Sasson, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York 11590;
telephone (516) 228-7320; fax (516) 794-5531.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-
400, -401, and -402 airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on
November 18, 2003 (68 FR 65003). That action proposed to require
replacing certain flight guidance modules (FGMs) with improved modules,
and certain flight control electronic control units (FCECUs) with
improved units.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
We estimate that 12 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by
the required replacement of FGMs, that it will take approximately 1
work hour per airplane to accomplish this replacement, and that the
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will be
provided at no charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this
requirement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $780, or $65 per
airplane.
We estimate that 15 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by
the required replacement of the FCECUs, that it will take approximately
4 work hours per airplane to accomplish this required replacement, and
that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will
be provided at no charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
this requirement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,900, or $260
per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this 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. The manufacturer may cover the cost of
replacement parts associated with this AD, subject to warranty
conditions. As a result, the costs attributable to the AD may be less
than stated above.
[[Page 4455]]
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2004-02-05 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment
39-13440. Docket 2002-NM-311-AD.
Applicability: Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes;
certificated in any category; having serial numbers (S/Ns) 4001
through 4065 inclusive.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent loss of the autopilot or manual pitch trim, which may
increase the workload of the flightcrew and, under certain
conditions, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane,
accomplish the following:
Replacement of Flight Guidance Modules
(a) For airplanes with S/Ns 4001 through 4003 inclusive and 4005
through 4058 inclusive: Within 60 days after the effective date of
this AD, replace flight guidance modules (FGMs) FGM1 and FGM2, part
number (P/N) C12429AA06, with improved FGMs, P/N C12429AA07, and
perform a Return-to-Service procedure, per Bombardier Service
Bulletin 84-22-04, Revision `B,' dated April 17, 2002.
Note 1:
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-22-04, Revision `B,' refers to
Thales Service Bulletin C12429A-22-003, dated November 29, 2001, as
an additional source of service information for modifying FGMs from
P/N C12429AA06 to P/N C12429AA07. The Thales service bulletin is
included in the Bombardier service bulletin.
Replacement of Flight Control Electronic Control Units
(b) For all airplanes: Within 8 months after the effective date
of this AD, replace flight control electronic control units
(FCECUs), P/N 398500-1001 or -1003, with improved FCECUs, P/N
398500-1005, and perform a Return-to-Service procedure, per
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-14, Revision `A,' dated April 2,
2002.
Note 2:
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-14, Revision `A,' refers to
Parker Service Bulletin 398500-27-235, dated January 9, 2002, as an
additional source of service information for modifying FCECUs from
P/N 398500-1001 or -1003 to P/N 398500-1005. The Parker service
bulletin is included in the Bombardier service bulletin.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) 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.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Bombardier
Service Bulletin 84-22-04, Revision `B,' dated April 17, 2002; and
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-27-14, Revision `A,' dated April 2,
2002; as applicable. This incorporation by reference was approved by
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bombardier,
Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, 123 Garratt Boulevard,
Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. Copies may be inspected at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; at the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600
Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 3:
The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian airworthiness
directive CF-2002-25, dated April 25, 2002.
Effective Date
(e) This amendment becomes effective on March 5, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 20, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-1910 Filed 1-29-04; 8:45 am]
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