80 FR 16608 - Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 60 (March 30, 2015)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of several events where pilots experienced difficulty in lateral control of the airplane after doing a climb through heavy rain conditions and a determination that the cause was water ingress in the aileron control pulley assembly. This proposed AD would require, for certain airplanes, inspecting for correct clearance and rework if necessary, and, for certain other airplanes, installing a cover for the aileron pulley assembly. We are proposing this AD to prevent water ingress in the aileron control pulley assembly, which could freeze in cold conditions and result in reduced control of the airplane.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 60 (Monday, March 30, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16608-16611]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07072]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0676; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-164-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by a report of several events where 
pilots experienced difficulty in lateral control of the airplane after 
doing a climb through heavy rain conditions and a determination that 
the cause was water ingress in the aileron control pulley assembly. 
This proposed AD would require, for certain airplanes, inspecting for 
correct clearance and rework if necessary, and, for certain other 
airplanes, installing a cover for the aileron pulley assembly. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent water ingress in the aileron control 
pulley assembly, which could freeze in cold conditions and result in 
reduced control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 14, 2015.

[[Page 16609]]


ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed 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 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You 
may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0676; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fabio Buttitta, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 
NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7303; fax 516-794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-0676; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-164-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2014-23, dated July 18, 2014 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-
700-1A11 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    There have been several reports whereby pilots have experienced 
difficulty in lateral control following climb through heavy rain 
conditions. In each event, the pilots were able to overcome this 
difficulty without disconnecting the aileron control. An 
investigation has determined that the root cause of the restricted 
movement of the aileron was due to water ingress into the wing root 
aileron control pulley assembly through a gap on the wing-to-
fuselage fairing resulting in freezing of the aileron control 
system.
    If not corrected, this condition could result in reduced lateral 
control of the aeroplane.
    This [Canadian] AD mandates [for certain airplanes] the 
incorporation of a cover for the aileron pulley assembly [and 
inspection and rework if necessary] to prevent water ingress in the 
aileron control pulley assembly [and for certain other airplanes, 
mandates an inspection and rework if necessary].

    The inspection involves doing a general visual inspection for 
correct clearance. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2015-0676.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier has issued the following service information:
     Service Bulletin 700-1A11-27-034, Revision 04, dated 
September 4, 2014;
     Service Bulletin 700-27-076, Revision 04, dated September 
4, 2014;
     Service Bulletin 700-27-5004, Revision 04, dated September 
4, 2014; and
     Service Bulletin 700-27-6004, Revision 04, dated September 
4, 2014.
    This service information describes procedures, for certain 
airplanes, for installing a cover for the No. 1 aileron pulley, 
including an inspection for correct clearance and rework, and for 
certain other airplanes, for an inspection for correct clearance and 
rework. The actions described in this service information are intended 
to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. This service 
information is reasonably available; see ADDRESSES for ways to access 
this service information.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 60 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 9 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $45,900, or $765 
per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

[[Page 16610]]

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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 Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 (AD):

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2015-0676; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-164-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 14, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-
700-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category, having serial 
numbers 9002 through 9520 inclusive and 9998.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of several events where pilots 
experienced difficulty in lateral control of the airplane after 
doing a climb through heavy rain conditions and a determination that 
the cause was water ingress in the aileron control pulley assembly. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent water ingress in the aileron 
control pulley assembly, which could freeze in cold conditions and 
result in reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Installation of Cover for the Aileron Pulley Assembly

    Except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD, for airplanes on 
which a cover for the No. 1 aileron pulley was not installed as of 
the effective date of this AD: Within 150 flight cycles after the 
effective date of this AD, install a cover for the No. 1 aileron 
pulley, including doing a general visual inspection for correct 
clearance and rework as applicable, in accordance with paragraph C., 
``PART B--Modification,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
applicable service bulletins identified in paragraphs (g)(1) and 
(g)(2) for this AD.
    (1) For Model BD-700-1A10 airplanes: Bombardier Service Bulletin 
700-27-076, Revision 04, dated September 4, 2014; or 700-27-6004, 
Revision 04, dated September 4, 2014.
    (2) For Model BD-700-1A11 airplanes: Bombardier Service Bulletin 
700-1A11-27-034, Revision 04, dated September 4, 2014; or 700-27-
5004, Revision 04, dated September 4, 2014.

(h) Inspection and Rework

    Except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD, for airplanes 
that have incorporated a cover for the No. 1 aileron pulley using 
the applicable service information identified in paragraphs (h)(1) 
and (h)(2) of this AD as of the effective date of this AD: Within 
150 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, do a general 
visual inspection for correct clearance and, before further flight, 
rework, as applicable, in accordance with paragraph B., ``PART A--
Inspection and Rework,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
applicable service information identified in paragraphs (g)(1) and 
(g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) For Model BD-700-1A10 airplanes: Bombardier Service Bulletin 
700-27-076, dated March 5, 2012; or 700-27-6004, dated March 5, 
2012.
    (2) For Model BD-700-1A11 airplanes: Bombardier Service Bulletin 
700-1A11-27-034, dated March 5, 2012; or 700-27-5004, dated March 5, 
2012.

(i) Re-Identification of Overwing Panels

    Except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD, for airplanes on 
which the Service Non-Incorporated Engineering Orders (SNIEO) or 
Service Requests for Product Support Action (SRPSA) that are listed 
in table 2 of paragraph 1.A., ``Effectivity,'' in the service 
information identified in paragraphs (i)(1), (i)(2), or (i)(3) of 
this AD have been incorporated: Within 150 flight cycles from the 
effective date of this AD, do the re-identification of the overwing 
panels, in accordance with paragraph 2.B(2)(g) of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable service information identified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-076, Revision 04, dated 
September 4, 2014.
    (2) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-6004, Revision 04, dated 
September 4, 2014.
    (3) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-1A11-27-034, Revision 04, 
dated September 4, 2014.

(j) Exception to the Requirements of Paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of 
this AD

    Airplanes on which the SRPSA, as listed in table 1 of paragraph 
1.A., ``Effectivity,'' in the service information identified in 
paragraph (j)(1), (j)(2), or (j)(3) of this AD has been accomplished 
as of the effective date of this AD, meet the intent of paragraphs 
(g), (h), and (i) of this AD and no further action is required.
    (1) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-076, Revision 04, dated 
September 4, 2014.
    (2) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-6004, Revision 04, dated 
September 4, 2014.
    (3) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-1A11-27-034, Revision 04, 
dated September 4, 2014.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this AD, if those actions were 
performed before the effective date of this AD using the applicable 
service information identified in paragraphs (k)(1) through (k)(8) 
of this AD, which are not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (1) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-1A11-27-034, Revision 01, 
dated July 16, 2012.
    (2) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-1A11-27-034, Revision 02, 
dated June 17, 2014.
    (3) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-076, Revision 01, dated 
July 16, 2012.
    (4) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-076, Revision 02, dated 
June 17, 2014.
    (5) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-5004, Revision 01, dated 
July 16, 2012.
    (6) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-5004, Revision 02, dated 
June 17, 2014.
    (7) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-6004, Revision 01, dated 
July 16, 2012.
    (8) Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-6004, Revision 02, dated 
June 17, 2014.

(l) 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

[[Page 16611]]

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 410, Westbury, NY 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO, 
ANE-170, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or 
Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO). If 
approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized 
signature.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2014-23, dated July 18, 
2014, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0676.
    (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 [email protected]; Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may view this service information at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 19, 2015.
Michael Kaszyscki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-07072 Filed 3-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P