[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 24, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24362-24364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9199]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-1224; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-175-AD;
Amendment 39-17021; AD 2012-08-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440)
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the air driven generator
(ADG) failing to power essential buses during functional tests, due to
the low threshold setting of the circuit protection on the ADG's
generator control unit (GCU) preventing the ADG from supplying power to
the essential buses. This AD requires installing a new or serviceable
ADG GCU. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of power from the ADG
to the essential buses which, in the event of an emergency, could
prevent continued safe flight.
DATES: This AD becomes effective May 29, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 29,
2012.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the
[[Page 24363]]
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Assata Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer,
Avionics and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury,
New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7301; fax (516) 794-5531.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 8, 2011 (76
FR 69157). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
There have been several occurrences of the air driven generator
(ADG) failure to power essential buses during functional tests of
the ADG. It was found that the low threshold setting of the circuit
protection on the ADG generator control unit (GCU) can prevent the
supply of power from the ADG to the essential buses. In the event of
an emergency, loss of power to the essential buses can prevent
continued safe flight.
This [TCCA] directive mandates the replacement of the ADG GCU.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We have considered the comments received.
Request To Shorten the Compliance Time
The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) requested the
compliance time of ``24 months after the effective date of the AD'' be
reduced because ALPA believes that the compliance time is too long to
comply with the proposed AD (76 FR 69157, November 8, 2011) based on
the importance of replacement.
We do not agree to shorten the compliance time. In developing the
compliance time, we determined that the compliance time of 24 months is
appropriate in considering the safety implications, the average
utilization rate of the affected fleet, the practical aspects of an
orderly inspection of the fleet during regular maintenance periods, and
the availability of required replacement parts. In addition, our
compliance time corresponds with the 24-month compliance time of the
parallel AD issued by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA). We have
not changed the AD in this regard.
Request To Reference Hamilton Sundstrand's Part Number
Comair, Inc. requested that we revise paragraphs (g) and (h) of the
NPRM (76 FR 69157, November 8, 2011) to reference Hamilton Sundstrand's
part number, in addition to the Bombardier part numbers for the ADG
GCU, because by doing so, Comair believes the AD will make certain all
suspect ADG GCUs are removed and replaced and will be congruent with
the manufacturer's manual.
We agree with the request to reference Hamilton Sundstrand's part
number for the ADG GCU that is affected, and not higher assembly part
numbers. Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-24-130, dated April 27, 2011,
refers to Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin ERPS10G-24-1, dated
February 9, 2011, as an additional source of guidance for modifying and
testing the ADG GCU with new printed wiring assemblies and re-
identifying the GCU with a new part number. We have updated paragraphs
(g) and (h) of this AD to include the Hamilton Sundstrand part number.
Request To Revise Costs of Compliance Section
Air Wisconsin requested that we revise the Costs of Compliance
section of the NPRM (76 FR 69157, November 8, 2011) to show a more
accurate cost to operators of 7 hours labor. While the task of
replacing the ADG CGU requires 2 hours of labor, the commenter states
that post-modification testing requires an additional 5 work-hours.
We partially agree. The work-hours quoted in Bombardier Service
Bulletin 601R-24-130, dated April 28, 2011, include only the labor time
required for replacement, while the Hamilton Sundstrand service
information estimates 4 work-hours for replacement of the printed
wiring assemblies from the GCU and functional testing of the ADG.
Because it may be necessary to do a non-destructive test (NDT)
inspection on some airplanes, we have added an additional work-hour. We
have changed the labor time required to 6 work-hours in the Costs of
Compliance section of this AD.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data, including the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
the AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these
changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or
increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD affects
589 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it takes 6 work-
hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required
parts cost $0 per product. Where the service information lists required
parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there
will be no charge for these parts. As we do not control warranty
coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than
estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD
on U.S. operators to be $300,390, or $510 per product.
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 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 the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative,
[[Page 24364]]
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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM (76 FR 69157, November 8,
2011), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for the Docket Operations office
(telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of 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 AD:
2012-08-04 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-17021. Docket No. FAA-
2011-1224; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-175-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 29,
2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional
Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, certificated in any category,
serial numbers 7305 through 7990 inclusive, and 8000 through 8109
inclusive.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24: Electrical
Power.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of the air driven generator
(ADG) failing to power essential buses during functional tests, due
to the low threshold setting of the circuit protection on the ADG's
generator control unit (GCU) preventing the ADG from supplying power
to the essential buses. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of
power from the ADG to the essential buses which, in the event of an
emergency, could prevent continued safe flight.
(f) Compliance
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions
have already been done.
(g) Actions
Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, remove the
ADG GCU, Bombardier part number (P/N) 604-90800-7 (Hamilton
Sundstrand P/N 761341A), and install a new or serviceable ADG GCU,
Bombardier P/N 604-90800-27 (Hamilton Sundstrand P/N 761341B), in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier
Service Bulletin 601R-24-130, dated April 27, 2011.
(h) Parts Installation
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an
ADG GCU, Bombardier P/N 604-90800-7 (Hamilton Sundstrand P/N
761341A) on 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 Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, 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 local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the ACO, send it to Attn: Program Manager, Continuing
Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
10, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-
5531. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically
reference this AD.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(j) Related Information
Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2011-26, dated
July 25, 2011; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-24-130, dated
April 27, 2011; for related information.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) You must use the following service information to do the
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51:
(i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-24-130, dated April 27,
2011.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Bombardier, Inc., 400 C[ocirc]te-Vertu Road West, Dorval,
Qu[eacute]bec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-
7401; email thd.crj@aero.bombardier.com; Internet http://www.bombardier.com.
(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information that
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 6, 2012.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-9199 Filed 4-23-12; 8:45 am]
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