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Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes
[December 13, 2012]

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes


Dec 13, 2012 (FIND, Inc. via COMTEX) -- SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a translating door handle jamming during opening of an aft door. This proposed AD would require replacing the handle shaft with a new single-piece machined handle shaft on the aft entry and service doors, and require revising the maintenance program by incorporating a new airworthiness limitation task. We are proposing this AD to prevent a migrated pin from jamming a translating door handle, which could prevent opening of [Page Number 74127] the door and impede an emergency evacuation.



EFFECTIVE DATE: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 28, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods: . Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.


. Fax: (202) 493-2251.

. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M- 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this proposed 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. You may review copies of the 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.

Examining the AD Docket You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7318; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2012-1226; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM- 122-AD" at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2012-17, dated May 24, 2012 (referred to after this as "the MCAI"), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states: There was one reported case of the translating door handle jamming on opening. It was found that the pin on the existing handle shaft could migrate and cause the translating door handle to jam. A jammed translating door handle could prevent the opening of the door and impede evacuation in the event of an emergency.

This [Canadian] AD mandates the installation of the single piece machined handle shaft (ModSum 4-113687) on the aft entry door and the aft service door, as well as the incorporation of the new Airworthiness Limitation (AWL) tasks introduced as a result of this ModSum.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 84-52-66, Revision A, dated October 24, 2011; and Temporary Revision ALI-122, dated November 4, 2011, to Section 1 Certification Maintenance Requirements, of the Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI) Part 2, Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance Requirements Manual, PSM 1- 84-7. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

This proposed AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by section 91.403(c) of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 91.403(c)). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, an operator might not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval of an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (j)(1) of this proposed AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.

Difference Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information The MCAI is applicable to airplanes with serial numbers 4001 through 4364. The service information omits serial number 4002. We have omitted serial number 4002 from the applicability of this proposed AD, because it was a flight test airplane that has been decommissioned.

Costs of Compliance Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 78 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 8 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $10,596 per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $879,528, or $11,276 per product.

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 [Page Number 74128] 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 proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation: 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

[Section] 39.13 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends [Section] 39.13 by adding the following new AD: Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2012-1226; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM- 122-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date We must receive comments by January 28, 2013.

(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, and 4003 through 4364 inclusive.

(d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52; Doors.

(e) Reason This AD was prompted by a report of a translating door handle jamming during opening of an aft door. We are issuing this AD to prevent a migrated pin from jamming a translating door handle, which could prevent opening of the door and impede an emergency evacuation.

(f) Compliance You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

(g) Installation of the Single-Piece Machined Handle Shaft on the Aft Entry Door and the Aft Service Door Within 6,000 flight hours or 36 months, whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this AD, replace the handle shaft with a new single-piece machined handle shaft on the aft entry and service doors by incorporating Modification Summary (ModSum) 4-113687, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-66, Revision A, dated October 24, 2011.

(h) Revision of the Maintenance Program Schedule (1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program by incorporating the information in maintenance Tasks 521200-105 and 524100-105 of Bombardier Temporary Revision (TR) ALI-122, dated November 4, 2011, into Section 1 Certification Maintenance Requirements of the Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI) Part 2, Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance Requirements Manual, PSM 1-84-7. The compliance time for doing the initial inspections of the handle shafts on the aft entry and service door is within 25,000 flight hours after installation of the new handle shaft specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. Thereafter, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.

(2) The maintenance program revision required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD may be done by inserting a copy of Bombardier Temporary Revision ALI-122, dated November 4, 2011, into Section 1 Certification Maintenance Requirements of the Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI) Part 2, Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance Requirements Manual, PSM 1-84-7. When this TR has been included in general revisions of the maintenance requirements manual, the general revisions may be inserted in the maintenance requirements manual and this TR removed.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-66, dated July 25, 2011, which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.

(j) 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. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(k) Related Information (1) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2012-17, dated May 24, 2012, and the service information identified in paragraphs (k)(1)(i) and (k)(1)(ii) of this AD, for related information.

(i) Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-66, Revision A, dated October 24, 2011.

(ii) Bombardier TR ALI-122, dated November 4, 2011, to Section 1 Certification Maintenance Requirements of the Airworthiness Limitations Items (ALI) Part 2, Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Maintenance Requirements Manual, PSM 1- 84-7.

(2) 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. You may review copies of the referenced service [Page Number 74129] 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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 5, 2012.

Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 2012-30071 Filed 12-12-12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P Vol. 77, No. 240 14 CFR Part 39; [Docket No. FAA-2012-1226; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-122- AD]; RIN 2120-AA64 Proposed Rules

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