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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-0675; Product Identifier 2019-NM-068-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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD)
for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by a report that certain fuselages were
delivered with non-conforming keel tension fittings and stringer end
fittings. This proposed AD would require a detailed visual inspection
of stringer end fittings and keel fittings for loose or working
fasteners, signs of wear, and corrosion, and repair if necessary; and
a
general visual inspection of the keel tension fitting and stringer end
fittings, as applicable and repairs and replacement of the keel and
stringer end fittings if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by October
24,
2019.
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 Bombardier, Inc., service information identified in this NPRM,
contact De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd., Q-Series Technical Help
Desk, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; phone:
416-375-4000; fax: 416-375-4539; email: thd@dehavilland.com; internet:
https://dehavilland.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.
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-2019-0675;
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 NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7330; fax: 516-
794-5531; email: 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites 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-2019-0675;
Product Identifier 2019-NM-068-AD" at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
NPRM because of those comments.
The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to http://www.
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2019-06, dated February
18, 2019 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing
Airworthiness Information, or "the MCAI"), to correct an unsafe
condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-401 and -402
airplanes. The MCAI states:
A disclosure letter from a supplier identified a number of
fuselages that were delivered with non-conforming keel tension
fittings and stringer end fittings. Left unaddressed, these non-
conformances can lead to premature cracking in several locations,
corrosion, and compromise the structural integrity of the fuselage
joints.
This [Canadian] AD requires a one-time inspection of the non-
conforming fittings [and repair if necessary], and later [an
inspection of the fittings and, if necessary,] replacement of the
fittings [or repair].
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-2019-0675.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Bombardier has issued the following service information.
Service Bulletin 84-53-74, dated August 29, 2018. This
service information describes procedures for a general visual
inspection of the keel and stringer end fittings, repair, and
replacement of the keel and stringer end fittings.
Service Bulletin 84-53-75, dated August 29, 2018. This
service information describes procedures for a detailed visual
inspection of stringer end fittings and keel fittings, in the passenger
compartment at stations X373.15 and X428.50, for loose or working
fasteners, signs of wear, and corrosion.
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
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to a bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, the FAA
has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD
because the agency evaluated all the relevant information and
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other products of the same type design.
Proposed Requirements of This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 1 airplane of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this
proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Labor cost
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Parts cost
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Cost per
product
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Cost on
U.S. operators
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| 33 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $2,805 |
$0
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$2,805
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$2,805
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The FAA has received no definitive
data that would enable the
agency to provide cost estimates for the on-condition replacements
specified in this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Replacements
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Labor cost
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Parts cost
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Cost per
product
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| 46 work-hours x $85 per hour
= $3,910 |
$54,649
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$58,559
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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.
The FAA is 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 proposed 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
The FAA 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. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
3. 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
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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