81 FR 60252 - Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 170 (September 1, 2016)

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 two in-service incidents of a loss of all air data information in the flight deck. This AD requires a revision of the airplane flight manual (AFM) emergency procedures section to provide procedures to guide the crew on how to stabilize the airplane airspeed and attitude for continued safe flight when a loss of all air data information has occurred in the flight deck. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of control when a loss of all air data information has occurred in the flight deck.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 170 (Thursday, September 1, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60252-60254]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20826]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6414; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-175-AD; 
Amendment 39-18633; AD 2016-18-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 two in-service incidents of a loss 
of all air data information in the flight deck. This AD requires a 
revision of the airplane flight manual (AFM) emergency procedures 
section to provide procedures to guide the crew on how to stabilize the 
airplane airspeed and attitude for continued safe flight when a loss of 
all air data information has occurred in the flight deck. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent loss of control when a loss of all air data 
information has occurred in the flight deck.

DATES: This AD is effective October 6, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 6, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
6414.

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-2016-
6414; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone 
800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Assata Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer, 
Avionics and Services Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, 
NY 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 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Bombardier, Inc. 
Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on May 10, 2016 (81 FR 28764) (``the 
NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by two in-service incidents of a loss of 
all air data information in the flight deck. The NPRM proposed to 
require a revision of the AFM emergency procedures section to provide 
procedures to guide the crew on how to stabilize the airplane airspeed 
and attitude for continued safe flight when a loss of all air data 
information has occurred in the flight deck. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent loss of control when a loss of all air data information has 
occurred in the flight deck.
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2015-12, dated June 23, 2015 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 
(Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Two in-service incidents have been reported on CL-600-2C10 
aeroplanes

[[Page 60253]]

regarding a loss of all air data information in the cockpit. The air 
data information was recovered as the aeroplane descended to lower 
altitudes. An investigation determined that the root cause in both 
events was high altitude icing (ice crystal contamination). If not 
addressed, this condition may affect continued safe flight.
    Due to similarities in the air data systems, such events could 
happen on all Bombardier CRJ models, CL-600-2B19, CL-600-2C10, CL-
600-2D15, CL-600-2D24 and CL-600-2E25. Therefore, the corrective 
actions for these models will be mandated once their respective 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) revisions become available.
    This [Canadian] AD mandates the incorporation of AFM procedures 
to guide the crew to stabilize the aeroplane's airspeed and attitude 
for continued safe flight.

    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-2016-
6414.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response to that comment.

Request To Determine Root Cause of Unsafe Condition

    The Airline Pilots Association International (ALPA) requested 
further investigation and system modifications for the ice crystal 
contamination. ALPA stated that although the NPRM proposed an amendment 
to the AFM procedures for the crew, it does not believe that this AFM 
procedure addresses the root cause of the unsafe condition.
    The Air Line Pilots Association stated that the AFM revision will 
not address the root cause of the high-altitude icing (ice crystal 
contamination), and requested that further investigation be done for 
the ice crystal contamination issue and remedies be provided in 
addition to the AFM amendments.
    We agree that the AFM revision will not address the root cause of 
the high-altitude icing (ice crystal contamination). The manufacturer 
is investigating the issue, but there is no timetable for a final 
resolution. Should the manufacturer develop modifications to prevent 
this problem, the FAA will consider further rulemaking. The 
incorporation of the AFM procedures is meant to be used to guide the 
crew on how to stabilize the airplane airspeed and altitude for 
continued safe flight in icing conditions. However, further 
investigation into this matter extends beyond the scope of this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued Section 03-19, ``Unreliable Airspeed,'' 
of Chapter 3, ``Emergency Procedures,'' in the Bombardier CRJ Series 
Regional Jet Model CL-600-2B19 Airplane Flight Manual CSP A-012, 
Revision 64B, dated December 8, 2015. The service information describes 
procedures to guide the crew to stabilize the airplane's airspeed and 
attitude for continued safe flight when a loss of all air data 
information has occurred in the flight deck. This service information 
is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to 
it through their normal course of business or by the means identified 
in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 500 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revision..........................  1 work-hour x $85 per                  $0              $85          $42,500
                                     hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, 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.

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.

[[Page 60254]]

Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2016-18-03 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-18633; Docket No. FAA-
2016-6414; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-175-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 6, 2016.

(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 7003 and subsequent.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 34, Navigation.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by two in-service incidents of a loss of 
all air data information in the flight deck. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent loss of control when a loss of all air data information 
has occurred in the flight deck.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
emergency procedures section of the AFM by incorporating Section 03-
19, ``Unreliable Airspeed'', of Chapter 3, ``Emergency Procedures,'' 
in the Bombardier CRJ Series Regional Jet Model CL-600-2B19 Airplane 
Flight Manual CSP A-012, Revision 64B, dated December 8, 2015.

(h) 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 
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.
    (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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2015-12, dated June 23, 2015, 
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-2016-6414.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Section 03-19, ``Unreliable Airspeed,'' of Chapter 3, 
``Emergency Procedures,'' in the Bombardier CRJ Series Regional Jet 
Model CL-600-2B19 Airplane Flight Manual CSP A-012, Revision 64B, 
dated December 8, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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 August 19, 2016.
Dorr M. Anderson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-20826 Filed 8-31-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P