82 FR 39529 - Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 160 (August 21, 2017)

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-20-09, which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. AD 2014-20-09 required an inspection for missing clamps that are required to provide positive separation between the alternating current (AC) feeder cables and the hydraulic line of the landing gear alternate extension, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD requires removing airplanes from the AD applicability. This AD was prompted by reports of missing clamps that are required to provide positive separation between the AC feeder cables and the hydraulic line of the landing gear alternate extension. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 160 (Monday, August 21, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39529-39532]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17094]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9575; Product Identifier 2016-NM-168-AD; Amendment 
39-18992; AD 2017-17-02]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-20-09, 
which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series 
airplanes. AD 2014-20-09 required an inspection for missing clamps that 
are required to provide positive separation between the alternating 
current (AC) feeder cables and the hydraulic line of the landing gear 
alternate extension, and related investigative and corrective actions 
if necessary. This new AD requires removing airplanes from the AD 
applicability. This AD was prompted by reports of missing clamps that 
are required to provide positive separation between the AC feeder 
cables and the hydraulic line of the landing gear alternate extension. 
We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 25, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
25, 2017.

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 Standards Branch, 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-2016-9575.

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-
9575; 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 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 Administrative Services Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 
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 to supersede AD 2014-20-09, Amendment 39-17982 (79 FR 59630, 
October 3, 2014) (``AD 2014-20-09''). AD 2014-20-09 applied to certain 
Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. The NPRM published 
in the Federal Register on February 22, 2017 (82 FR 11325). The NPRM 
was prompted by reports of missing clamps that are required to provide 
positive separation between the AC feeder cables and the hydraulic line 
of the landing gear alternate extension. The NPRM proposed to continue 
to require an inspection for missing clamps that are required to 
provide positive separation between the AC feeder cables and the 
hydraulic line of the landing gear alternate extension, and related 
investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this 
AD to detect and correct chafing of the AC feeder cable. A chafed and 
arcing AC feeder cable could puncture the adjacent hydraulic line, 
which, in combination with the use of the alternate extension, could 
result in an in-flight fire.
    Since we issued AD 2014-20-09, the FAA has determined that certain 
airplane serial numbers that are in a pre-modification MS 4M153025 
configuration have sufficient space between the AC feeder cables and 
the landing gear alternate extension hydraulic line, and do not pose an 
in-flight fire risk. Therefore, these airplanes are not subject to the 
identified unsafe condition.
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2013-16R1, effective July 26, 2016 (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:

    During production checks, it was found that the appropriate 
clamps required to provide positive separation between the AC feeder 
cables and the hydraulic line of the landing gear alternate 
extension were omitted. The AC feeder cable could sag and be in 
direct contact with the swage fitting of the landing gear alternate 
extension hydraulic line, resulting in chafing of the AC feeder 
cable. The chafed and arcing AC feeder cable could puncture the 
adjacent hydraulic line. In combination with the use of the 
alternate extension system, this could result in an in-flight fire.
    The original issue of this [Canadian] AD was issued to mandate 
the incorporation of [Bombardier] service bulletin (SB) 84-24-53 to 
* * * [do a general visual inspection for the presence of correctly 
installed clamps] and rectify, as necessary, for proper clamp 
installation.
    Bombardier, Inc. has revised [Bombardier] SB 84-24-53 to remove 
serial numbers 4001 through 4034 from the Effectivity section, as it 
was determined that these serial numbers are Pre-Mod MS 4M153025, 
which allowed sufficient space between the AC feeder cables and the 
landing gear alternate extension hydraulic line to not pose an in-
flight fire risk. Accordingly, revision 1 of this [Canadian] AD is 
issued to revise the Applicability section to reflect the 
Effectivity changes in [Bombardier] SB 84-24-53 Revision B, dated 10 
September 2015.

    The related investigative action is a general visual inspection of 
the AC

[[Page 39530]]

power feeder cables and the hydraulic line of the landing gear 
alternate extension for damage due to chafing. The corrective actions 
include repair of chafed parts and replacement of missing clamps. 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-
9575.

Comments

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

Request To Reference Only the Actions Required for Compliance

    Horizon Air requested that paragraph (g) of the proposed AD 
reference only the actions required for compliance. Horizon Air stated 
that incorporating the service bulletin job set-up and close-out 
sections as a requirement of the AD restricts an operator's ability to 
perform other maintenance in conjunction with the incorporation of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-53, Revision B, dated September 10, 
2015. Horizon Air asserted that only paragraph 3.B., ``Procedure,'' in 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-
53, Revision B, dated September 10, 2015, should be referenced.
    We agree with Horizon Air's request to exclude the ``Job Set-up'' 
and ``Close Out'' sections of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-53, 
Revision B, dated September 10, 2015, for the reasons provided. We have 
revised paragraph (g) of this AD to require accomplishment of paragraph 
3.B., ``Procedure,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-24-53, Revision B, dated September 10, 2015.

Request To Allow Credit for Previous Actions Up to the Effective Date 
of This AD

    Horizon Air requested that the proposed AD be changed to allow 
credit for previous actions in accordance with Bombardier Service 
Bulletin 84-24-53, dated May 11, 2012; or Bombardier Service Bulletin 
84-24-53, Revision A, dated May 16, 2013; either up to the effective 
date of this AD; or within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months from 
November 7, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-20-09), whichever 
occurs first. Horizon Air stated that paragraph (h) of the proposed AD 
only allows credit for actions performed before November 7, 2014. 
Horizon Air noted that the compliance for AD 2014-20-09 is within 6,000 
flight hours or 36 months after the effective date of November 7, 2014 
(and AD 2014-20-09 specifies that the actions be done in accordance 
with Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-53, Revision A, dated May 16, 
2013).
    We partially agree. We agree that credit for the actions required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD done using Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-
24-53, Revision A, dated May 16, 2013, should be allowed up until the 
effective date of this AD. However, we do not agree to allow credit for 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-53, dated May 11, 2012, beyond 
November 7, 2014. AD 2014-20-09 only gives credit for Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 84-24-53, dated May 11, 2012, before November 7, 2014. 
We have revised paragraph (h) of this AD accordingly.

Explanation of Change Made in This AD

    We have revised paragraph (g) of this AD to remove the statement 
that only Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-53, Revision B, dated 
September 10, 2015, may be used after the effective date of this AD 
because that statement is not necessary in this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these 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 84-24-53, Revision B, dated 
September 10, 2015. The service information describes procedures for a 
general visual inspection for installation of clamps between the AC 
feeder cables and hydraulic line of the landing gear alternate 
extension, and related investigative and corrective actions. 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 52 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection, related investigative and   2 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $170          $8,840
 corrective actions (retained actions    hour = $170.
 from AD 2014-20-09).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This AD merely removes certain airplanes from the applicability of 
this AD, and, therefore, adds no new actions or economic burden.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C.

[[Page 39531]]

In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is normally a function 
of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but during this 
transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority 
to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to the Director 
of the System Oversight Division.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2014-20-09, Amendment 39-17982 (79 FR 59630, October 3, 2014), and 
adding the following new AD:

2017-17-02 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-18992; Docket No. FAA-
2016-9575; Product Identifier 2016-NM-168-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 25, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2014-20-09, Amendment 39-17982 (79 FR 59630, 
October 3, 2014) (``AD 2014-20-09'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400, -401, and 
-402 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 4035 
through 4347 inclusive.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of missing clamps that are 
required to provide positive separation between the alternating 
current (AC) feeder cables and the hydraulic line of the landing 
gear alternate extension. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct chafing of the AC feeder cable. A chafed and arcing AC 
feeder cable could puncture the adjacent hydraulic line, which, in 
combination with the use of the alternate extension, could result in 
an in-flight fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Clamp Inspection, Related Investigative Actions, and 
Corrective Actions, With Revised Service Information Having a Reduced 
Effectivity

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2014-20-09, with revised service information having a reduced 
Effectivity. Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months after November 
7, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-20-09), whichever occurs 
earlier: Do a general visual inspection for correctly installed 
clamps between the AC feeder cables and hydraulic line, and do all 
applicable related investigative and corrective actions, in 
accordance with paragraph 3.B., ``Procedure,'' of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-53, Revision B, 
dated September 10, 2015. Do all applicable related investigative 
and corrective actions before further flight.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
November 7, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-20-09), using 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-24-53, dated May 11, 2012. This 
service bulletin is not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (2) 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 84-24-
53, Revision A, dated May 16, 2013. This service bulletin was 
incorporated by reference in AD 2014-20-09.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York ACO Branch, 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 manager of the 
certification office, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing 
Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 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: As of the effective date of 
this AD, 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 Branch, 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2013-16R1, effective July 
26, 2016, 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-2016-9575.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Assata 
Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Administrative Services 
Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7301; fax 516-794-5531.
    (3) 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 84-24-53, Revision B, dated 
September 10, 2015.
    (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 
Standards Branch, 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://

[[Page 39532]]

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 7, 2017.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-17094 Filed 8-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P