Airworthiness Directives; Canadair Model CL-600-2B19 ``Regional Jet'' Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-177-AD; Amendment 39-8801; AD 93-21-04]

Airworthiness Directives; Canadair Model CL-600-2B19 ``Regional

Jet'' Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment

adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 93-21-04 that was sent previously

to all known U.S. owners and operators of Canadair Model CL-600-2B19

``Regional Jet'' series airplanes by individual letters. This AD

requires repetitive lubrication with grease of the sliding shaft of the

input plunger of the brake control valve assembly. This amendment is

prompted by reports of temporary loss of braking action upon landing.

The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent temporary loss

of braking action due to the freezing of moisture on the input plunger

of the brake control valve during steep descent.

DATES: Effective February 4, 1994 to all persons except those persons

to whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 93-21-

04, issued October 18, 1993, which contained the requirements of this

amendment.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of February 4, 1994.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or

before March 21, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 93-NM-177-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

The applicable service information may be obtained from Bombardier,

Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, Garratt Boulevard,

Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. This information may be examined at

the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York

Aircraft Certification Office, 181 South Franklin Avenue, Room 202,

Valley Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800

North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danko Kramar, Aerospace Engineer,

Systems and Equipment Branch, ANE-173, FAA, Engine and Propeller

Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 181 South Franklin

Avenue, Room 202, Valley Stream, New York 11582; telephone (516) 791-

6427; fax (516) 791-9024.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 18, 1993, the FAA issued priority

letter AD 93-21-04, applicable to Canadair Model CL-600-2B19 ``Regional

Jet'' series airplanes. That action was prompted by notification from

Transport Canada Aviation, which is the airworthiness authority for

Canada, indicating that an unsafe condition may exist on certain of

these airplanes. There had been two reports of temporary loss of

braking action upon landing; in both cases, the braking action returned

to normal within a few minutes after touchdown. Investigation revealed

that the temporary loss of braking action was due to the freezing of

moisture on the input plunger of the brake control valve during steep

descent. This condition, if not corrected, could result in temporary

loss of all braking action.

Canadair issued Regional Jet Alert Service Bulletin S.B.A601R-32-

016, dated October 14, 1993, which describes procedures for lubricating

the sliding shaft of the input plunger of the brake control valve

assembly. Lubricating the input plunger will ensure that any moisture

that has accumulated will not freeze on the plunger before the airplane

is landed, thus ensuring that the brakes will function properly.

Transport Canada Aviation classified this service bulletin as mandatory

and issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-93-26, dated October 15,

1993, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes

in Canada.

This airplane model is manufactured in Canada and is type

certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of

Section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the applicable

bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral

airworthiness agreement, Transport Canada Aviation has kept the FAA

informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the

findings of Transport Canada Aviation, reviewed all available

information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of

this type design that are certificated for operation in the United

States.

Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop

on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United

States, the FAA issued priority letter AD 93-21-04 to prevent temporary

loss of all braking action. The AD requires repetitive lubrication with

grease of the sliding shaft of the input plunger of the brake control

valve assembly. The actions are required to be accomplished in

accordance with the service bulletin previously described.

Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required,

notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were

impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause

existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters

issued on October 18, 1993, to all known U.S. owners and operators of

Canadair Model CL-600-2B19 ``Regional Jet'' series airplanes. These

conditions still exist, and the AD is hereby published in the Federal

Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (FAR) to make it effective as to all persons.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves

requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by

notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on

this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by

submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.

Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted

in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments will

be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments

received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the

AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be

needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might

suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be

available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the

Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that

summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this

AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket Number 93-NM-177-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct

effects 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. Therefore, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency

regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe

condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action''

under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this

action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies

and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined

that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will

be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may

be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the

caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by

reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

93-21-04 Canadair: Amendment 39-8801. Docket No. 93-NM-177-AD.

Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 ``Regional Jet'' series

airplanes; serial numbers 7003 and subsequent; certificated in any

category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent temporary loss of all braking action, accomplish the

following:

(a) Within 3 days after the effective date of this AD, and

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3 days, lubricate with grease

the sliding shaft of the input plunger of the brake control valve

assembly in accordance with Canadair Regional Jet Alert Service

Bulletin S.B.A601R-32-016, dated October 14, 1993.

(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification

Office (ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate. Operators shall

submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal

Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the

Manager, New York ACO.

Note: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the New York ACO.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR

21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the

requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(d) The lubrication procedure shall be done in accordance with

Canadair Regional Jet Alert Service Bulletin S.B.A601R-32-016, dated

October 14, 1993. This incorporation by reference was approved by

the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C.

552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bombardier,

Inc., Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division, Garratt Boulevard,

Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. This information may be examined

at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate,

New York Aircraft Certification Office, 181 South Franklin Avenue,

Room 202, Valley Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal

Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on February 4, 1994, to all

persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately

effective by priority letter AD 93-21-04, issued October 18, 1993,

which contained the requirements of this amendment.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 12, 1994.

John J. Hickey,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-1227 Filed 1-19-94; 8:45 am]

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