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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0200; Product Identifier 2019-NM-185-AD; Amendment
39-21276; AD 2020-21-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited
(Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-14-
01, which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series
airplanes. AD 2015-14-01 required a detailed inspection for loose bolts
on the aft translating door crank assembly, and removal and
reinstallation of the bolts. This AD retains the inspections of AD
2015-14-01 and adds airplanes to the applicability. For all airplanes,
this AD also requires a modification of the door crank handle, which
will terminate the inspection requirements. This AD was prompted by
reports of loose bolts that are intended to secure the translating door
crank assembly to the outside handle shaft, and of sealant missing from
these bolts on another translating door. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 18, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 18,
2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of August
11, 2015 (80 FR 38615, July 7, 2015).
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, Q-Series Technical
Help Desk, 123 Garratt Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada;
telephone 416-375-4000; fax 416-375-4539; email thd@dehavilland.com;
internet https://dehavilland.com. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety 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 https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0200.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0200; 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, any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations 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: Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer,
Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services Section, FAA, New York
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
telephone 516-228-7323; fax 516-794-5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2014-08R1, dated July
30, 2019 (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness
Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for
certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.
regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0200.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2015-14-01, Amendment 39-18199 (80 FR
38615, July 7, 2015) (``AD 2015-14-01''). AD 2015-14-01 applied to
certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on March 20, 2020 (85 FR 16008). The
NPRM was prompted by reports of loose bolts that are intended to secure
the translating door crank assembly to the outside handle shaft, and of
sealant missing from these bolts on another translating door. The NPRM
proposed to retain the requirements of AD 2015-14-01 and add airplanes
to the applicability. The NPRM also proposed to require, for all
airplanes, a modification of the door crank handle, which would
terminate the inspection. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
potential for both bolts to become loose or fall out after the door is
closed and locked, which would prevent the door from being opened from
inside or outside and impede evacuation in the event of an emergency.
See the MCAI for additional background information.
Comments
The FAA 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 Use the Latest Service Information
Horizon Air requested that the FAA use the latest service
information for the actions proposed in the NPRM.
The FAA agrees with the comment. The FAA has revised paragraphs
(i), (j) and (l) of this AD accordingly.
Request To Require Only Certain Sections of the Service Information
Horizon Air requested that the proposed AD specifically require
paragraph 3.B., ``Procedure,'' of the applicable service information
specified in paragraphs (i)(1) through (3) of the proposed AD instead
of the entire section of the Accomplishment Instructions. Horizon Air
stated that the job set-up and close out sections of the Accomplishment
Instructions do not directly correct the unsafe condition, and that
incorporating the job set-up and close out sections restricts an
operator's ability to perform other maintenance in conjunction with
incorporating the service information.
The FAA agrees with the commenter's request. Paragraphs 3.A., ``Job
Set-Up,'' and 3.C., ``Close Out,'' of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information
specified in this AD are recommended steps that can be used at the
operator's discretion. The FAA has revised this AD to specify that the
actions in paragraph (i) of this AD be accomplished in accordance with
paragraph 3.B., ``Procedure,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of
the applicable service information specified in paragraphs (i)(1)
through (3) of this AD.
Changes to the Final Rule Since the NPRM Was Issued
The FAA inadvertently referred to certain service information as
``Bombardier Service Bulletin.'' The FAA has revised this AD to refer
to certain service information as ``De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
Limited Service Bulletin.''
In addition, the FAA has removed Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-
75, dated July 27, 2012, from paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, as it was
inadvertently cited and is not needed for the actions required in
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
Conclusion
The FAA 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. The FAA has 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.
The FAA also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final
rule.
Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has issued the following
service information.
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin
84-52-89, Revision B, dated February 26, 2020.
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin
84-52-92, Revision B, dated February 27, 2020.
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin
84-52-94, Revision B, dated February 26, 2020.
This service information describes procedures for modifying the
door crank handle with an improved bolt retention design on the type 1
emergency door, the aft entry door, and the aft service door, as
necessary. These documents are distinct since they apply to different
airplane configurations.
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has also issued Bombardier
Service Bulletin 84-52-96, dated February 26, 2019, which describes
procedures for a detailed visual inspection of the translating door
crank assembly for any loose bolts.
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has also issued
Modification Summary Package IS4Q5200101, Revision A, dated July 5,
2019, which describes a deviation to the actions specified in certain
service information.
This AD would also require Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-52-75,
Revision A, dated July 11, 2013, which the Director of the Federal
Register approved for incorporation by reference as of August 11, 2015
(80 FR 38615, July 7, 2015).
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
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 59 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates 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 |
| Up to 13 work-hours x $85 per
hour = $1,105 |
Up to $677 |
Up to $1,782 |
Up to $105,138 |
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.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA 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) 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.
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:
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-14-01, Amendment 39-18199
(80 FR 38615, July7, 2015); and
b. Adding the following new AD:
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