Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-385-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional

Jet Series 100) Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-

2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100) series airplanes. This proposal would

require a one-time inspection to detect damage of the input connectors

and wiring of the main and auxiliary power unit (APU) battery chargers,

and corrective action, if necessary. It would also require installation

of secure connectors for the battery charger input connections. In

addition, this proposal would require, for certain airplanes, either

the installation of a resistor in the battery charger wiring, or the

installation of new batteries with internal resistors. This proposal is

prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information

by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by

the proposed AD are intended to prevent increased risk of a short

circuit and consequent electrical smoke or fire in the aft fuselage.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-385-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be

obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box

6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, 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

[[Page 43958]]

Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New

York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louis Castracane, Aerospace Engineer,

Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, Engine and Propeller

Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street,

Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7535;

fax (516) 568-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the

proposed 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 above. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments,

specified above, will be considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in

light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with

the substance of this proposal 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 98-NM-385-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request

to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 98-NM-385-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055-4056.

Discussion

Transport Canada Aviation (TCA), which is the airworthiness

authority for Canada, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may

exist on certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100)

series airplanes. TCA advises that several incidents of damage to the

battery connectors of the main battery and the auxiliary power unit

(APU) have been reported. An investigation has revealed that short

circuit protection does not exist within the main battery and the APU

battery for the mid-voltage sensing wire going from the 10th cell of

each battery to its respective battery charger. This condition, if not

corrected, could result in increased risk of a short circuit and

consequent electrical smoke or fire in the aft fuselage.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Bombardier has issued Canadair Alert Service Bulletin A601R-24-085,

Revision ``C,'' dated November 5, 1998, which describes procedures for

a one-time detailed visual inspection to detect damage of the input

connectors and wiring of the main battery and auxiliary power unit

(APU) battery charger, and corrective action, if necessary. It also

describes procedures for the installation of secure connectors for the

battery charger input connections, and either the installation of a

resistor in the battery charger wiring or installation of new batteries

with internal resistors. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the

service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified

unsafe condition. TCA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and

issued Canadian airworthiness directive CF-98-40, dated November 10,

1998, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes

in Canada.

FAA's Conclusions

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 (14 CFR 21.29) and

the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this

bilateral airworthiness agreement, TCA has kept the FAA informed of the

situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of TCA,

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.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered

in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of

the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 115 airplanes of U.S. registry would be

affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 6 work hours

per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions (no breakdown of work

hours for each action is provided in the service bulletin), at an

average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would be

provided at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost

impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $41,400,

or $360 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that

no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of

this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in

the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein would 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

proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant

the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed

regulation (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);

and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the

Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules

Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend

part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as

follows:

[[Page 43959]]

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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Docket 98-NM-385-AD.

Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100)

series airplanes, serial numbers 7003 through 7067 inclusive and

7069 through 7250 inclusive; certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the

preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been

modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the

requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,

altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of

this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of

this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of

the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition

addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been

eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to

address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent increased risk of a short circuit and consequent

electrical smoke or fire in the aft fuselage, accomplish the

following:

Inspection and Corrective Action

(a) For all airplanes: Within 450 flight hours after the

effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions specified in

paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD, in accordance with

Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions of Canadair Alert Service

Bulletin A601R-24-085, Revision `C,' dated November 5, 1998.

(1) Perform a detailed visual inspection to detect damage of the

input connector of the main battery charger and the wire harness

between the electrical connectors for the main battery and the main

battery charger. If any damage is detected, prior to further flight,

repair it, or replace the wiring or connector with new or

serviceable parts.

(2) Perform a detailed visual inspection to detect damage of the

input connector of the auxiliary power unit (APU) battery charger

and the wire harness between the electrical connectors for the APU

battery and the APU battery charger. If any damage is detected,

prior to further flight, repair it, or replace the wiring or

connector with new or serviceable parts.

(3) Secure both the spin coupling ring of the input connector of

the main battery charger and the spin coupling ring of the input

connector of the APU battery charger by installing heat shrink

tubing and ty-rap.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is

defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific

structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage,

failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally

supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity

deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror,

magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate

access procedures may be required.''

Modification or Replacement

(b) For airplane serial numbers 7003 through 7067 inclusive and

7069 through 7249 inclusive: Within 450 flight hours after the

effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions in either

paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) in accordance with Part B of the

Accomplishment Instructions of Canadair Alert Service Bulletin

A601R-24-085, Revision `C,' dated November 5, 1998.

(1) Install an external 5.1-Kohm resistor in the mid-voltage

sensing wire for the main battery and an external 5.1-Kohm resistor

in the mid-voltage sensing wire for the APU battery. Or

(2) Install main battery P/N 601R59041-3 and APU battery P/N

600-59151-11, which contain an internal resistor for the mid-voltage

sensing wire.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(c) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the New York ACO.

Special Flight Permits

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

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

the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian

airworthiness directive CF-98-40, dated November 10, 1998.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 6, 1999.

D.L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-20895 Filed 8-11-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P