DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0587; Product Identifier 2018-NM-054-AD; Amendment
39-19451; AD 2018-20-17]
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) 2012-22-10,
which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional
Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet
Series 705) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900)
airplanes, and Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes.
AD 2012-22-10 required repetitive inspections to determine that cotter
pins are installed at affected wing-to-fuselage attachment joints and
replacement if necessary. This AD retains the initial inspection of the
wing-to-fuselage attachment joints, and removes the repetitive
inspections of all but the forward keel beam attachment joint. This AD
also changes the repetitive inspection interval for the forward keel
beam attachment joint. This AD was prompted by a determination that
additional nuts of the forward keel beam attachment joint should be
inspected, and that repetitive inspections of certain wing-to-fuselage
attachment joints are not necessary. We are issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 20, 2018.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 20,
2018.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Cote-Vertu Road West, Dorval,
Quebec H4S 1Y9, Canada; Widebody Customer Response Center North
America toll-free telephone 1-866-538-1247 or direct-dial telephone
514-855-5000; fax 514-855-7401; email ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com;
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. It is also available on the
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2018-0587.
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-
0587; 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
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: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Mechanical Systems Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600
Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7330;
fax 516-794-5531.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2012-22-10, Amendment 39-17246 (77 FR 67267,
November 9, 2012) (``AD 2012-22-10''). AD 2012-22-10 applied to certain
Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, &
702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes,
Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, and Model CL-
600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on July 9, 2018 (83 FR 31705). The NPRM was
prompted by a determination that additional nuts of the forward keel
beam attachment joint should be inspected, and that repetitive
inspections of certain wing-to-fuselage attachment joints are not
necessary. The NPRM proposed to retain the initial inspection of the
wing-to-fuselage attachment joints, and remove the repetitive
inspections of all but the forward keel beam attachment joint. The NPRM
also proposed to change the repetitive inspection interval for the
forward keel beam attachment joint. We are issuing this AD to address
loss of the wing-to-fuselage attachment joints, which could result in
loss of the wing, and consequent reduced, or complete loss of,
controllability of the airplane.
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2012-10R1, dated
January 22, 2018 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet
Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet
Series 705) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900)
airplanes, and Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes.
The MCAI states:
The manufacturer has determined that wing-to-fuselage attachment
nuts, part number (P/N) SH670-35635-1, SH670-35440-951, SH670-35440-
3, SH670-35635-1, and 95136D-2412, installed at six attachment joint
locations, do not conform to the certification design requirements
for dual locking features. The nuts are not of the self-locking type
as required and do not provide the frictional thread interference
required to prevent the nut from backing off the bolt. As a result,
only a single locking device, the cotter pin, is provided at these
critical joints. In the case where a nut becomes loose, in
combination with a missing or broken cotter pin, the attachment bolt
at the wing-to-fuselage joint could migrate and fall out. Loss of
two attachment joints could potentially result in the loss of the
wing.
The original version of this [Canadian] AD [which corresponds to
FAA AD 2012-22-10] mandated initial and repeat detailed visual
inspections (DVIs) of each affected wing-to-fuselage attachment
joint to ensure that a cotter pin was installed.
Design review and analysis of the inspection findings since the
original issue of this [Canadian] AD have led us to determine that
additional nuts at the forward keel beam joint should also be
included in the inspection and that the repetitive inspection of
some wing-to-fuselage attachment joints is not required. This
[Canadian] AD maintains the initial inspection requirements [for
missing or failed (. . .) cotter pins] for six attachment joint
locations, and removes the repetitive inspection requirements for
all but the forward keel beam attachment joint. This [Canadian] AD
also requires a different repetitive inspection interval, and the
[Canadian] AD applicability has been changed for the initial
inspection to account for changes made in production.
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-
0587.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule. We have considered the comment received. The Air Line
Pilots Association, International (ALPA) reviewed and expressed support
for the NPRM.
Clarification of Credit Paragraph
We have removed paragraph (j)(2) of the proposed AD and
redesignated paragraph (j)(1) of the proposed AD as paragraph (j) of
this AD because the airplanes identified in paragraph (j)(2) of the
proposed AD are included in paragraph (j)(1) of the proposed AD. We
have also clarified in paragraph (j) of this AD that any previous
inspection done using earlier revisions of the service information is
acceptable.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this final rule with the changes described previously and 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.
We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final
rule.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Bombardier, Inc. has issued Service Bulletin 670BA-53-042, Revision
B, dated October 20, 2017. This service information describes
procedures for detailed inspections of the wing-to-fuselage attachment
joints, and of the attachment nuts at the forward keel beam attachment
joint for missing or failed cotter pins. 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 274 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
11 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $935 |
$100
|
$1,035
|
$283,590
|
We have received no definitive data
that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD. We
have no way of determining the number of aircraft that may 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.
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
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
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2012-22-10, Amendment 39-17246 (77 FR 67267, November 9, 2012), and
adding the following new AD:
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