Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-32-AD; Amendment 39-11382; AD 99-22-04]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106,

-201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -

202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes, that requires modification

of the wiring of the emergency lighting system. This amendment is

prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information

by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by

this AD are intended to prevent the pilots from having full authority

over the cabin emergency lights, which could result in delayed egress

of the passengers and crew from the cabin during emergency evacuation.

DATES: Effective November 26, 1999.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of November 26, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Bombardier Regional Airplane Division,

Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada. This information

may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

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

Airplane Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, 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: Luciano L. Castracane, Aerospace

Engineer, Systems and Flight Branch, ANE-172, Engine and Propeller

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

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

fax (516) 256-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-

102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 series airplanes was

published in the Federal Register on August 20, 1999 (64 FR 45474).

That action proposed to require modification of the wiring of the

emergency lighting system.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response

to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest

require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the required modification, and that the average

labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately

$595 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the

required modification of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$17,950, or $1,795 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that

no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is

not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;

(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and

Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action

and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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 part 39 of

the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

99-22-04 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment

39-11382. Docket 99-NM-32-AD.

Applicability: Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -

311, and -315 series airplanes; serial numbers 459 through 501,

excluding serial numbers 462, 464, 467, 469, 478, 479, 481, 482,

487, 489, 490, 491, 493, 495, 498, 499, and 500; 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 (b) 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.

[[Page 56960]]

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent the pilots from having full authority over the cabin

emergency lights, which could result in delayed egress of the

passengers and crew from the cabin during an emergency evacuation,

accomplish the following:

Modification

(a) For airplanes on which Bombardier Modification 8/2407 has

been installed during production: Within 12 months after the

effective date of this AD, modify the wiring of the emergency

lighting system in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B.

8-33-40, Revision ``B,'' dated October 21, 1998.

Note 2: Modification of the wiring of the emergency lighting

system accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in

accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-40, dated May

8, 1998, or Revision ``A,'' dated July 28, 1998, is considered

acceptable for compliance with the modification required by

paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(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, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their

requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,

who may add comments and then send it to the International Branch,

ANM-116.

Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

(c) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with Bombardier

Service Bulletin S.B. 8-33-40, Revision ``B,'' dated October 21,

1998. 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 Airplane Division, Garratt Boulevard, Downsview, Ontario

M3K 1Y5, Canada. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or

at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York Airplane

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

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

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

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

airworthiness directive CF-98-33, dated September 8, 1998.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 26, 1999.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 14, 1999.

D.L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-27327 Filed 10-21-99; 8:45 am]

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