81 FR 66516 - Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 188 (September 28, 2016)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a malfunctioning No. 2 engine intake heater with corrosion on the thermostats and the fuselage skin where the thermostats made contact with the aircraft fuselage skin. This AD requires a general visual inspection for corrosion of the thermostats' mounting surfaces and fuselage skin surface, corrective actions if necessary, and relocating the existing thermostats. We are issuing this AD to prevent corrosion within the thermostats that might cause the switch mechanism to seize in the open position and prevent the activation of the associated engine air intake heater. An inactive engine air intake heater could lead to an engine failure.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66516-66518]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22705]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-6148; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-154-AD; 
Amendment 39-18660; AD 2016-19-11]
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 DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted 
by a malfunctioning No. 2 engine intake heater with corrosion on the 
thermostats and the fuselage skin where the thermostats made contact 
with the aircraft fuselage skin. This AD requires a general visual 
inspection for corrosion of the thermostats' mounting surfaces and 
fuselage skin surface, corrective actions if necessary, and relocating 
the existing thermostats. We are issuing this AD to prevent corrosion 
within the thermostats that might cause the switch mechanism to seize 
in the open position and prevent the activation of the associated 
engine air intake heater. An inactive engine air intake heater could 
lead to an engine failure.

DATES: This AD is effective November 2, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 2, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Bombardier, Inc., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt 
Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone: 416-375-4000; 
fax: 416-375-4539; 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-2016-6148.

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-
6148; 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 DHC-8-400 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on May 2, 2016 (81 FR 26176) (``the NPRM'').
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2015-24, dated August 24, 2015 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    A malfunctioning Engine Air Intake Heater has been discovered 
with corrosion on the thermostats and the aeroplane skin where the 
thermostats are installed. The two thermostats are installed 
directly under the flight compartment floor along the aeroplane 
centre line where moisture accumulation and/or migration may occur, 
which can cause corrosion of the thermostats. Corrosion within the 
thermostats may seize the switch mechanism open, preventing the 
activation of the associated Engine Air Intake Heater. Failure of 
the Engine Air Intake Heater to activate may pose a safety risk to 
the aeroplane in icing conditions.
    Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin (SB) 84-30-10 to inspect, 
replace if required and relocate the thermostat assembly to rectify 
this problem. [An inactive engine air intake heater could lead to an 
engine failure.]

    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-
6148.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data 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 Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, 
Revision E, dated October 10, 2014. The service information describes

[[Page 66517]]

procedures for a general visual inspection for corrosion of the 
thermostats' mounting surfaces and fuselage skin surface, corrective 
actions, and relocating the existing thermostats from a lower position 
on the aircraft skin at X 54.00 between stringers 31P and 32P (next to 
the centerline) to a higher position at X 54.00 between stringers 26P 
and 27P. 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 76 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification........................  12 work-hours x $85 per             N/A           $1,020          $77,520
                                       hour = $1,020.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.


Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

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

2016-19-11 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-18660; Docket No. FAA-
2016-6148; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-154-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 2, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -
402 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 4001 
through 4184 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 30, Ice and rain 
protection.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a malfunctioning No. 2 engine intake 
heater with corrosion on the thermostats and the fuselage skin where 
the thermostats made contact with the aircraft fuselage skin. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent corrosion within the thermostats that may 
cause the switch mechanism to seize in the open position and prevent 
the activation of the associated engine air intake heater. An 
inactive engine air intake heater could lead to an engine failure.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection of the Thermostats and Replacement

    Within 2,000 flight hours or 12 months, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual inspection 
of the thermostats' exterior for any signs of corrosion, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision E, dated October 10, 2014. If 
any thermostat is corroded, replace the thermostat before further 
flight, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision E, dated October 10, 
2014.

(h) Inspection of the Fuselage Skin Surface and Corrective Action

    Within 2,000 flight hours or 12 months, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual inspection 
of the fuselage skin surface for skin corrosion, and modify the 
engine air intake heater thermostat installation, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-
30-10, Revision E, dated October 10, 2014.
    (1) If the skin corrosion is 0.001 inch deep or less, before 
further flight remove the corrosion and treat bare metal, in 
accordance with Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision E, dated October 10, 2014.
    (2) If the skin corrosion is greater than 0.001 inch deep, 
before further flight, repair using a method approved by the 
Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil 
Aviation (TCCA); or Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval 
Organization (DAO).

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD using the service information 
identified in paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(5) of this AD.
    (1) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, dated September 7, 
2007, provided that the thermostat location label is replaced, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment

[[Page 66518]]

Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision E, 
dated October 10, 2014, within the compliance times specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (2) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision A, dated 
April 7, 2008.
    (3) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision B, dated 
January 20, 2010.
    (4) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision C, dated July 
14, 2011.
    (5) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision D, dated 
December 20, 2011.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York 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, Engine and Propeller Directorate, FAA; or TCCA; or 
Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA DAO. If approved by the DAO, the approval 
must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2015-24, dated August 24, 
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-2016-6148.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (l)(3) and (l)(4) of this AD.

(l) 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) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-30-10, Revision E, dated 
October 10, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Bombardier, Inc., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt 
Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone: 416-375-
4000; fax: 416-375-4539; 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 September 12, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-22705 Filed 9-27-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P