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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0397; Product Identifier 2017-NM-163-AD; Amendment
39-19454; AD 2018-20-20]
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-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This AD
was prompted by a report of cracking at the fastener holes of the left-
hand-side support bracket of the elevator bell crank for the control
linkage in the vertical stabilizer. This AD requires an eddy current
inspection on certain support brackets of the elevator bell crank for
any cracking at the fastener holes, a measurement to confirm that the
fastener hole diameters are within tolerance, and replacement with a
new support bracket of the elevator bell crank if 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 certain publications 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; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-
7401; email thd.crj@aero.bombardier.com; 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-2018-0397.
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-
0397; 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: Aziz Ahmed, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA,
New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York
11590; telephone: 516-287-7329; fax: 516-794-5531; email:
Aziz.Ahmed@faa.gov.
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-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on May 8, 2018 (83 FR 20745). The NPRM was prompted by
a report of cracking at the fastener holes of the left-hand-side
support bracket of the elevator bell crank for the control linkage in
the vertical stabilizer. The NPRM proposed to require an eddy current
inspection on certain support brackets of the elevator bell crank for
any cracking at the fastener holes, a measurement to confirm that the
fastener hole diameters are within tolerance, and replacement with a
new support bracket of the elevator bell crank if necessary.
We are issuing this AD to address any cracking in the support
bracket of the elevator bell crank, which could lead to detachment of
the bracket and loss of functionality of the elevator on the affected
side, and result in reduced controllability of the airplane. Failure of
both brackets could result in loss of pitch control of the airplane.
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2017-32, dated October
10, 2017 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition on certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-
1A11 airplanes. The MCAI states:
During a repair on an aircraft in-service, cracking was observed
at the fastener holes of the left hand side elevator bell crank
support bracket for the control linkage in the vertical stabilizer.
Further investigation confirmed the presence of similar cracking on
other aircraft on both the left and right hand side brackets. An
investigation found that the fastener holes on some brackets did not
conform to the required tolerance and fastener installation resulted
in fastener hole cracks.
This [Canadian] AD requires an inspection of both elevator bell
crank support brackets, and replacement if they are found cracked or
do not meet the required fastener hole tolerance. Left unrepaired,
cracking of an elevator bell crank support bracket could lead to
detachment of the bracket and loss of functionality of the elevator
on the affected side, resulting in reduced controllability of the
aircraft. Failure of both brackets could result in loss of pitch
control of the aircraft.
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-
0397.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.
Request To Incorporate the Latest Service Information
Bombardier requested that we revise the NPRM to incorporate the
latest service information. Bombardier stated that Service Bulletin
700-27-5009, Revision 02, dated June 15, 2018, corrects a typographical
error made to the affected airplane serial number listing. Bombardier
also requested that we add Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-5009,
Revision 01, dated July 18, 2017, to the ``Credit for Previous
Actions'' paragraph.
We agree with the commenter's request. We have revised paragraph
(g) of this AD to incorporate Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-5009,
Revision 02, dated June 15, 2018, for accomplishing the actions in this
AD. Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-5009, Revision 02, dated June
15, 2018, revises the effectivity to include an airplane already
included in the applicability of this AD, and includes minor edits that
do not affect the scope of this AD. We have also revised paragraph (h)
of this AD to include Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-5009, Revision
01, dated July 18, 2017.
Request To Clarify a Certain Serial Number
NetJets requested that we clarify the omission of a certain serial
number in the service information. NetJets commented that serial number
9732 is specified in the applicability paragraph of the NPRM, but it is
not specified in Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-5009, Revision 01,
dated July 18, 2017; or Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-6009,
Revision 01, dated July 18, 2017.
We agree to provide clarification for the commenter. Serial number
9732 is not specified in the effectivity of Bombardier Service Bulletin
700-27-5009, Revision 01, dated July 18, 2017; or Bombardier Service
Bulletin 700-27-6009, Revision 01, dated July 18, 2017, but Bombardier
Service Bulletin 700-27-5009, Revision 02, dated June 15, 2018, adds
serial number 9732 to the effectivity. As we stated previously, we have
revised this AD to include Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-27-5009,
Revision 02, dated June 15, 2018, for accomplishing the actions in this
AD. Serial number 9732 was previously included in paragraph (c) of this
AD, and the applicability of an AD takes
precedence over the effectivity listed in any service information.
Therefore, the actions in this AD is required for the airplane having
serial number 9732, regardless of what service information is specified
in this AD. We have not changed the AD in this regard.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 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 has issued Service Bulletin 700-27-5009, Revision 02,
dated June 15, 2018; and Service Bulletin 700-27-6009, Revision 01,
dated July 18, 2017. This service information describes an eddy current
inspection on certain support brackets of the elevator bell crank for
any cracking at the fastener holes, a measurement to confirm that the
fastener hole diameters are within tolerance, and replacement with a
new support bracket of the elevator bell crank. These documents are
distinct since they apply to different airplane models. 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 109 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
| Inspection and measurement |
10 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $850 |
$19
|
$869
|
$94,721
|
We estimate the following costs to
do any necessary replacement
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection.
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need
this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
| Replacement |
2 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$170 |
$4,798
|
$4,968
|
According to the manufacturer, all
of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
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 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
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