83 FR 31648 - Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 131 (July 9, 2018)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fire incidents of the auxiliary power unit (APU) inlet, which caused tail cone damage after an initial failed APU start followed by two or more in-flight APU start attempts. This AD requires modification of the APU electronic control unit (ECU) wiring harness. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 131 (Monday, July 9, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31648-31650]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14500]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0274; Product Identifier 2017-NM-128-AD; Amendment 
39-19325; AD 2018-14-05]
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 BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by 
reports of fire incidents of the auxiliary power unit (APU) inlet, 
which caused tail cone damage after an initial failed APU start 
followed by two or more in-flight APU start attempts. This AD requires 
modification of the APU electronic control unit (ECU) wiring harness. 
We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 13, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 13, 
2018.

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 service information at the FAA, 
Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-
231-3195. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0274.

[[Page 31649]]

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-2018-
0274; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

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; email [email protected].

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 BD-100-1A10 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on April 13, 2018 (83 FR 16013). The NPRM was prompted by reports of 
fire incidents of the APU inlet, which caused tail cone damage after an 
initial failed APU start followed by two or more in-flight APU start 
attempts. The NPRM proposed to require modification of the APU ECU 
wiring harness.
    We are issuing this AD to address failure of the APU inlet, which 
could result in a fire during flight.
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2017-26, dated July 31, 2017, (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    APU inlet fire incidents causing tail cone damage have been 
reported after an initial failed APU start followed by two or more 
in-flight APU start attempts. Bombardier, Inc. (BA) has determined 
that the in-flight negative pressure differential at the APU inlet 
allows flash fires of residual fuel in the APU combustor to exit 
through the APU inlet.
    As an interim mitigating action, BA has revised the affected 
aeroplane Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) procedure for in-flight APU 
start to limit the number of APU start attempts.
    To further address the safety concerns associated with in-flight 
APU inlet fire, BA is introducing a modification to the APU 
Electronic Control Unit (ECU) wiring harness that will prevent a 
second attempt to start the APU following a failed start in flight. 
This [Canadian] AD is issued to mandate compliance with BA Service 
Bulletin (SB) 100-49-04 or SB 350-49-001, as applicable, on affected 
aeroplanes.

    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-2018-
0274.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. 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 final rule 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 addressing 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 has issued Service Bulletin 100-49-04, dated March 29, 
2017; and Service Bulletin 350-49-001, dated March 29, 2017. This 
service information describes a modification of the APU ECU harness. 
These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane 
models in different configurations. 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 198 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.......................  3 work-hours x $85 per hour            $120            $375         $74,250
                                      = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. 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 and 
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    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

[[Page 31650]]

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):

2018-14-05 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-19325; Docket No. FAA-
2018-0274; Product Identifier 2017-NM-128-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 13, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers (S/Ns) 20003 
through 20500 inclusive and 20501 through 20696 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 49, Airborne 
auxiliary power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of fire incidents of the 
auxiliary power unit (APU) inlet, which caused tail cone damage 
after an initial failed APU start followed by two or more in-flight 
APU start attempts. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 
APU inlet, which could result in a fire during flight.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Modification

    Within 30 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the 
APU electronic control unit (ECU) wiring harness, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-
49-04, dated March 29, 2017 (for S/N 20003 through 20500 inclusive); 
or Bombardier Service Bulletin 350-49-001, dated March 29, 2017 (for 
S/N 20501 through 20696 inclusive).

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York ACO Branch, 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: 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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2017-26, dated July 31, 
2017, 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-2018-0274.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Assata 
Dessaline, Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Administrative Services 
Section, New York ACO Branch, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7301; fax 516-794-5531; email 
[email protected].

(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) Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-49-04, dated March 29, 2017.
    (ii) Bombardier Service Bulletin 350-49-001, dated March 29, 
2017.
    (3) For Bombardier, Inc. 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 
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
206-231-3195.
    (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 Des Moines, Washington, on June 26, 2018.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-14500 Filed 7-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P