[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10415-10418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04719]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0161; Product Identifier 2017-NM-088-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-11-
12, which applies to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 
airplanes. AD 2013-11-12 requires inspecting for the correct serial 
number of a certain hydraulic system accumulator, and replacing 
affected hydraulic system accumulators with new or serviceable 
accumulators. Since we issued AD 2013-11-12, we have determined that 
certain other hydraulic system accumulators must be modified or 
replaced and life limits must be added. This proposed AD would expand 
the applicability and require modifying or replacing certain hydraulic 
brake system accumulators. This proposed AD would also require revising 
the maintenance or inspection program to add life limits for the 
accumulators. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 23, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, 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 referenced 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.

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-
0161; 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 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 Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 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 proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0161; 
Product Identifier 2017-NM-088-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

    We issued AD 2013-11-12, Amendment 39-17472 (78 FR 33206, June 4, 
2013) (``AD 2013-11-12''), for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-
1A10 airplanes. AD 2013-11-12 requires inspecting for the correct 
serial number of a certain hydraulic system accumulator, and replacing 
affected hydraulic system accumulators with new or serviceable 
accumulators. AD 2013-11-12 resulted from reports of failure of a screw 
cap or end cap of the hydraulic system accumulator while on the ground, 
which resulted in loss of

[[Page 10416]]

use of that hydraulic system and high-energy impact damage to adjacent 
systems and structures. We issued AD 2013-11-12 to prevent failure of a 
screw cap or end cap and loss of the related hydraulic system, which 
could result in damage to airplane structure and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2013-11-12 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2013-11-12, we have determined that certain 
other hydraulic system accumulators (specifically, hydraulic brake 
system accumulators) must be modified or replaced and life limits must 
be added.
    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-
2011-41R1, dated March 27, 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:

    Seven cases of on-ground hydraulic accumulator screw cap/end cap 
failure have been experienced on CL-600-2B19 aeroplanes, resulting 
in loss of the associated hydraulic system and high-energy impact 
damage to adjacent systems and structure. To date, the lowest number 
of flight cycles accumulated at the time of failure has been 6991.
    Although there have been no failures to date on any BD-100-1A10 
aeroplanes, accumulators similar to those installed on the CL-600-
2B19 are installed on the BD-100-1A10. The affected part numbers (P/
Ns) of the accumulators installed on BD-100-1A10 are 900095-1 
(Auxiliary Hydraulic System accumulator), 33-155500 (Inboard Brake 
accumulator), and 33-147500 (Outboard Brake accumulator).
    A detailed analysis of the calculated line of trajectory of a 
failed screw cap/end cap for the accumulators has been conducted, 
resulting in the identification of areas where systems and/or 
structural components could potentially be damaged. Although all of 
the failures on the CL-600-2B19 to date have occurred on the ground, 
an in-flight failure affecting such components could potentially 
have an adverse effect on the controllability of the aeroplane.
    Revision 1 of this [Canadian] AD is issued to mandate the 
[inspection and] replacement [of] Brake System Hydraulic 
accumulators that are not identified by the letter ``E'' or ``NAE'' 
after the serial number on the identification plate. Revision 1 also 
mandates the re-orientation of the brake accumulators P/N 33-147500 
and P/N 33-155500 and the insertion of three discard tasks in the 
Challenger 300 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks (TLMC) Manual.

    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-
0161.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Bombardier, Inc. has issued the following service information:
     Service Bulletin 100-32-20, Revision 02, dated April 14, 
2015, which describes procedures for modifying (e.g., re-orienting) the 
installation of the hydraulic brake accumulators.
     Service Bulletin 100-32-21, dated May 24, 2012, which 
describes procedures for replacing the hydraulic brake system 
accumulators.
     Task 29-21-13-101 of Chapter 5, Part 2, Airworthiness 
Limitations, of Bombardier Challenger 300 BD-100 Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks, Revision 17, dated December 15, 2016, which 
describes procedures for removal and installation of the hydraulic 
brake system accumulators.
     Task 32-43-37-101 of Chapter 5, Part 2, Airworthiness 
Limitations, of Bombardier Challenger 300 BD-100 Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks, Revision 17, dated December 15, 2016, which 
describes procedures for removal and installation of the brake 
accumulators.
     Task 32-44-05-101 of Chapter 5, Part 2, Airworthiness 
Limitations, of Bombardier Challenger 300 BD-100 Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks, Revision 17, dated December 15, 2016, which 
describes procedures for removal and installation of the emergency 
parking brake accumulators.
    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.

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 would require revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). 
Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For 
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in 
the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph 
(p)(1) of this proposed AD. The request should include a description of 
changes to the required actions that will ensure the continued damage 
tolerance of the affected structure.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 187 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                      Labor cost                 Parts cost               Cost per  product            Cost on U.S.  operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection to determine part         1 work-hour x $85 per   $0.........................  $85........................  $15,895.
 numbers (retained actions from AD    hour = $85.
 2013-11-12).
Modifying or replacing hydraulic     59 work-hours x $85     Up to $31,500..............  Up to $36,515..............  Up to $6,828,305.
 brake system accumulators and        per hour = $5,015.
 revising the maintenance or
 inspection program (new proposed
 actions).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these 
replacements.

[[Page 10417]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hydraulic accumulator replacement..........  5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340.          $4,510          $4,850
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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 to 
the Director of the System Oversight Division.

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.

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

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) 
2013-11-12, Amendment 39-17472 (78 FR 33206, June 4, 2013), and adding 
the following new AD:

Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2018-0161; Product Identifier 2017-
NM-088-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 23, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2013-11-12, Amendment 39-17472 (78 FR 33206, 
June 4, 2013) (``AD 2013-11-12'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 
airplanes, certificated in any category, having serial numbers 20003 
through 20604 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 29, Hydraulic 
Power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of failure of a screw cap or end 
cap of the hydraulic system accumulator while on the ground, which 
resulted in loss of use of that hydraulic system and high-energy 
impact damage to adjacent systems and structures. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent failure of a screw cap or end cap and loss of the 
related hydraulic system, which could result in damage to airplane 
structure and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Inspection With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2013-11-12 with no changes. For airplanes having serial numbers 
20003 through 20335 inclusive: At the applicable time specified in 
paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD: Inspect the 
identification plate on the hydraulic system accumulator having part 
number (P/N) 900095-1 to determine if an ``E'' is part of the suffix 
of the serial number stamped on the identification plate, as listed 
in paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier 
Service Bulletin 100-29-14, dated December 16, 2010. A review of 
airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this 
inspection if the suffix of the serial number can be conclusively 
determined from that review.
    (1) For an accumulator that has accumulated more than 3,150 
total flight cycles as of July 9, 2013 (the effective date of AD 
2013-11-12), inspect that accumulator within 350 flight cycles after 
July 9, 2013.
    (2) For an accumulator that has accumulated 3,150 or fewer total 
flight cycles as of July 9, 2013 (the effective date of AD 2013-11-
12), inspect that accumulator before it has accumulated 3,500 total 
flight cycles.
    (3) For an accumulator on which it is not possible to determine 
the total flight cycles accumulated as of July 9, 2013 (the 
effective date of AD 2013-11-12), inspect that accumulator within 
350 flight cycles after July 9, 2013.

(h) Retained Replacement With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2013-11-12 with no changes. If, during the inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, any accumulator having P/N 900095-1 is 
found on which the letter ``E'' is not part of the suffix of the 
serial number on the identification plate: Before further flight, 
replace the accumulator with a new or serviceable accumulator, in 
accordance with paragraph 2.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-29-14, dated December 16, 2010.

(i) Retained Parts Installation Prohibition With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2013-11-12 with no changes. For airplanes having serial numbers 
20003 through 20335 inclusive: As of July 9, 2013 (the effective 
date of AD 2013-11-12), no person may install on any airplane a 
hydraulic system accumulator having P/N 900095-1, on which the 
letter ``E'' is not part of the suffix of the serial number on the 
identification plate.

[[Page 10418]]

(j) New Requirement of This AD: Replacement of Brake System Hydraulic 
Accumulators

    For airplanes having serial numbers 20003 through 20347 
inclusive: At the applicable time specified in paragraph (j)(1), 
(j)(2), or (j)(3) of this AD, replace all brake system hydraulic 
accumulators having P/N 33-147500 or P/N 33-155500 that are not 
identified by the letter ``E'' or ``NAE'' after the serial number on 
the identification plate with an accumulator of the same part number 
that is identified by the letter ``E'' or ``NAE'' after the serial 
number. Do the replacement in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-32-21, dated May 24, 
2012.
    (1) For an accumulator that has accumulated more than 4,700 
total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD, inspect 
that accumulator within 300 flight cycles after the effective date 
of this AD.
    (2) For an accumulator that has accumulated 4,700 or fewer total 
flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD, inspect that 
accumulator before it has accumulated 5,000 total flight cycles.
    (3) For an accumulator on which it is not possible to determine 
the total flight cycles accumulated as of the effective date of this 
AD, inspect that accumulator within 300 flight cycles after the 
effective date of this AD.

(k) New Requirement of This AD: Additional Parts Installation 
Prohibition

    For airplanes having serial numbers 20003 through 20347 
inclusive: As of the effective date of this AD, no person may 
install on any airplane a hydraulic system accumulator having P/N 
33-147500 or P/N 33-155500, on which the letter ``E'' or ``NAE'' is 
not after the serial number on the identification plate.

(l) New Requirement of This AD: Modification of the Inboard and 
Outboard Brake Accumulators

    For airplanes having serial numbers 20003 through 20395 
inclusive: Within 1,600 flight hours or 14 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, modify (re-
orient) the installation of the inboard and outboard brake 
accumulators, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-32-20, Revision 02, dated April 14, 
2015.

(m) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (l) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Bombardier Service Bulletin 100-32-
20, dated February 25, 2013; or Revision 01, dated March 5, 2015.

(n) New Requirement of This AD: Maintenance or Inspection Program 
Revision

    For airplanes having serial numbers 20003 through 20604 
inclusive: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
revise the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate life limit tasks 29-21-13-101, 32-43-37-101, and 32-44-
05-101 of Chapter 5, Part 2, Airworthiness Limitations, of 
Bombardier Challenger 300 BD-100 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, 
Revision 17, dated December 15, 2016. The initial compliance time 
for the tasks is within the applicable time specified in that 
service information, or within 30 days after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs later.

(o) No Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
required by paragraph (n) of this AD, 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 (p)(1) of 
this AD.

(p) Other FAA AD Provisions

    (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.

(q) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2011-41R1, dated March 
27, 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-2018-0161.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Cesar Gomez, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Section, FAA, 
New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 
11590; telephone: 516-228-7318; fax: 516-794-5531.
    (3) For 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. 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 2, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-04719 Filed 3-8-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


