81 FR 85116 - Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 227 (November 25, 2016)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes; and Model DHC-8-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of heat damage found on a nacelle firewall after an unsuccessful engine ground start and several events of heat damage found on direct current starter/generator terminal block assemblies. This AD requires an inspection to detect damage on the nacelle firewalls and the terminal block assemblies and to make sure the insulating sleeves are installed and have no damage, and corrective action if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 227 (Friday, November 25, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 85116-85118]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28054]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5044; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-166-AD; 
Amendment 39-18718; AD 2016-24-01]
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-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes; and Model 
DHC-8-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report 
of heat damage found on a nacelle firewall after an unsuccessful engine 
ground start and several events of heat damage found on direct current 
starter/generator terminal block assemblies. This AD requires an 
inspection to detect damage on the nacelle firewalls and the terminal 
block assemblies and to make sure the insulating sleeves are installed 
and have no damage, and corrective action if necessary. We are issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 30, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 30, 
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-2016-5044.

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-
5044; 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 Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY

[[Page 85117]]

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-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes; and Model DHC-8-200 and -300 
series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 
12, 2016 (81 FR 21495) (``the NPRM'').
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2014-03R1, dated July 24, 2014 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-102, -103, 
and -106 airplanes; and Model DHC-8-200 and -300 series airplanes. The 
MCAI states:

    There has been one in-service report of heat damage on a nacelle 
firewall found after an unsuccessful engine ground start. There have 
also been several reports of heat damage found on Direct Current 
Starter/Generator terminal block assemblies, part number (P/N) 
82450075-001.
    The investigation determined that in all cases, the heat damage 
was caused by arcing between the firewall and terminal blocks with 
missing insulating sleeves on the conductive bushings. The 
insulating sleeves may have been inadvertently omitted during the 
incorporation of Modsum 8/1926, or during the installation of 
terminal blocks P/N 82450075-001.
    Arcing with the firewall becomes an ignition source, creating a 
potential fire hazard when combined with a fuel or hydraulic fluid 
leak.
    The original issue of this [Canadian] AD mandated the [detailed 
visual] inspection [for damage to the nacelle firewalls and to make 
sure the insulating sleeves are installed and have no damage] and 
rectification [corrective actions such as installing or replacing 
insulating sleeves, or replacing a terminal block], as required, of 
the nacelle firewall and terminal block assembly P/N 82450075-001 
installed with Modsum 8/1926.
    Revision 1 of this [Canadian] AD is issued to revise the 
Applicability to ensure that the terminal blocks have the insulating 
sleeves installed.

    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-
5044.

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 the comment.

Request To Reduce the Compliance Time

    The Air Line Pilots Association, International requested that, due 
to the nature of the AD, the proposed 14-month compliance time be 
reduced to 10 months.
    We do not agree to reduce the compliance time. The 14-month 
compliance time was developed by TCCA in coordination with Bombardier, 
Inc., and we concur that it is an appropriate compliance time. However, 
if we receive data to justify a shorter compliance time, we may 
consider further rulemaking on this issue. We have not changed this AD 
in this regard.

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

    We reviewed Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-24-92, Revision A, dated 
April 11, 2014. The service information describes procedures for an 
inspection to detect damage on the nacelle firewalls and the terminal 
block assemblies and to make sure the insulating sleeves are installed 
and have no damage, and corrective action. 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 75 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost 
of this AD on U.S. operators to be $12,750, or $170 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $551, for a cost of 
$636 per product. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft 
that might need these actions.

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 85118]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

2016-24-01 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-18718; Docket No. FAA-
2016-5044; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-166-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 30, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in 
any category, serial numbers 003 through 672 inclusive, on which 
terminal block part number 82450075-001 is installed.
    (1) Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes.
    (2) Model DHC-8-201 and -202 airplanes.
    (3) Model DHC-8-301, -311, and -315 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical 
Power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of heat damage found on a 
nacelle firewall after an unsuccessful engine ground start and 
several events of heat damage found on direct current starter/
generator terminal block assemblies. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent arcing between the firewall and terminal blocks that are 
missing insulating sleeves on the conductive bushings, which could, 
in combination with a fuel or hydraulic fluid leak, be an ignition 
source for a fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection and Corrective Action

    Within 2,500 flight cycles or 14 months after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform a detailed visual 
inspection of the right-hand side and left-hand side nacelle 
firewalls and terminal block assemblies, as defined in Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 8-24-92, Revision A, dated April 11, 2014, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 8-24-92, Revision A, dated April 11, 2014.
    (1) If the inspection finds no damage on the engine firewalls 
and the terminal blocks, and that undamaged insulating sleeves are 
installed on both terminal blocks, no further action is required by 
this AD.
    (2) If the inspection finds that no insulating sleeves are 
installed, or the existing sleeves are damaged, and there is no 
damage to the nacelle firewall and terminal block, before further 
flight, install the replacement insulating sleeves, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 
8-24-92, Revision A, dated April 11, 2014.
    (3) If the inspection finds that no insulating sleeves are 
installed, or any existing sleeve is damaged, and there is no damage 
to the nacelle firewall, but there is damage to the terminal block, 
before further flight, replace the terminal block assembly (which 
includes insulating sleeves), in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-24-92, Revision A, 
dated April 11, 2014.
    (4) If the inspection finds that no insulating sleeves are 
installed and there is damage to the nacelle firewall and the 
terminal block, repair the damage using a method approved by the 
Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, 
Engine and Propeller Directorate, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil 
Aviation (TCCA); or Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval 
Organization (DAO).

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-24-92, dated 
September 25, 2013.

(i) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2014-03R1, dated July 24, 
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-2016-5044.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (k)(3) and (k)(4) of this AD.

(k) 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 8-24-92, Revision A, dated April 
11, 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 November 10, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 2016-28054 Filed 11-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P