Proposed Rule2022-23594
Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
November 4, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on the horizontal stabilizer lower center skin panel, including a finding of corrosion where the skin thickness had been substantially reduced, which affected design margins. This proposed AD would require inspecting the horizontal stabilizer lower center skin panel for corrosion, and reworking, repairing, or replacing the lower center skin panel if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 213 (Friday, November 4, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 213 (Friday, November 4, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66619-66623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23594]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1403; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00122-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited
(Type Certificate Previously Held by 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 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and
-402 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of corrosion
on the horizontal stabilizer lower center skin panel, including a
finding of corrosion where the skin thickness had been substantially
reduced, which affected design margins. This proposed AD would require
inspecting the horizontal stabilizer lower center skin panel for
corrosion, and reworking, repairing, or replacing the lower center skin
panel 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 December
19, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1403; 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 mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporation by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this NPRM, contact
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, Dash 8 Series Customer
Response Centre, 5800 Explorer Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 5K9,
Canada; telephone 855-310-1013 or 647-277-5820; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9de9f5f9dda1fcbdf5eff8fba0" http: dehavilland.com">dehavilland.com</a>">thd@<a href="http://dehavilland.com">dehavilland.com</a></a>; website <a href="http://dehavilland.com">dehavilland.com</a>.
<bullet> You may view this 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yaser Osman, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#231a0e4255500e4d5a42404c0e404c50634542420d444c55"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="744d59150207591a0d15171b59171b07341215155a131b02">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-1403; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-00122-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
the proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
[[Page 66620]]
from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the
submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission
containing CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked
submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed
in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be
sent to Yaser Osman, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion
Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#487165293e3b652631292b27652b273b082e2929662f273e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="566f7b3720257b382f3735397b3539251630373778313920">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation
authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2022-02, dated January 28,
2022 (TCCA AD CF-2022-02) (also referred to after this as the MCAI), to
correct an unsafe condition for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
Limited model DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes. You may examine the MCAI in
the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2022-1403.
This proposed AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on the
horizontal stabilizer lower center skin panel, including a finding of
corrosion where the skin thickness had been substantially reduced,
which affected design margins. The root cause was found to be
inconsistent chemical processing of the lower center skin panel, with
missing anodizing layer and primer on some areas of the skin panel
surface. The FAA is proposing this AD to address possible reduction of
skin panel thickness due to the effects of corrosion, which could
compromise the structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer. See
the MCAI for additional background information.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has issued Service Bulletin
84-55-05, Revision C, dated August 19, 2021. This service information
describes procedures for inspecting the horizontal stabilizer lower
center skin panel for corrosion, and, depending on the level of
corrosion, reworking or repairing the horizontal stabilizer lower
center skin panel.
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has also issued Service
Bulletin 84-55-11, dated February 16, 2021. This service information
describes procedures for replacing the horizontal stabilizer lower
center skin panel.
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 the FAA's 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 FAA 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 AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information already described, except as discussed under
``Differences Between this NPRM and the MCAI or Service Information.''
Differences Between This NPRM and the MCAI or Service Information
TCCA AD CF-2022-02 specifies credit for repair, rework, or
replacement of corroded horizontal stabilizer lower center skin panel
using certain repair drawings. De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited
has informed the FAA that four additional repair drawings are also
acceptable for credit. Therefore, paragraph (h)(2) of this proposed AD
would provide credit for those additional repair drawings.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 56 airplanes 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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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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108 work-hours x $85 per hour = $9,180....................... $0 $9,180 $514,080
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition replacements that would be required based on the results of
any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need this on-condition replacement:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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108 work-hours x $85 per hour = $9.180 $21,449 $30,629
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repairs or rework specified in this
proposed AD.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the
cost impact on affected operators.
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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.
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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously
Held by Bombardier, Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2022-1403; Project
Identifier MCAI-2022-00122-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by December 19, 2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model
DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes, certificated in any category, having
serial numbers 4001 and 4003 through 4549 inclusive.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55, Stabilizers.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on the horizontal
stabilizer lower center skin panel, including a finding of corrosion
where the skin thickness had been substantially reduced, which
affected design margins. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
possible substantial reduction of skin panel thickness due to the
effects of corrosion, which could compromise the structural
integrity of the horizontal stabilizer.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection and Corrective Actions
(1) Within 8,000 flight hours or 48 months, whichever occurs
first, after the effective date of this AD: Inspect the horizontal
stabilizer lower center skin panel for corrosion in accordance with
Section 3.B. Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions of De
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin 84-55-05 Revision C,
dated August 19, 2021. If any corrosion is found, before further
flight, do the applicable actions specified in paragraph (g)(2) or
(3) of this AD.
(2) If the corrosion is within the allowable repair limits as
specified in Figure 5 Detail C of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
Service Bulletin 84-55-05 Revision C, dated August 19, 2021, perform
the corrosion rework in accordance with Section 3.B. Part B of the
Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
Service Bulletin 84-55-05 Revision C, dated August 19, 2021.
(3) If the corrosion is beyond the allowable repair limits as
specified in Figure 5 Detail C of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
Service Bulletin 84-55-05 Revision C, dated August 19, 2021,
accomplish the action specified in paragraph (g)(3)(i) or (ii) of
this AD.
(i) Replace the existing horizontal stabilizer lower center skin
panel in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of De
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin 84-55-11 Initial
Issue, dated February 16, 2021.
(ii) Obtain and follow repair instructions using a method
approved by the Manager, New York ACO Branch, FAA; or Transport
Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
Limited's TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by
the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.
(h) Credit for Previous Actions
(1) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by
paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD, if those actions were
performed before the effective date of this AD using De Havilland
Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-55-05, Initial Issue,
dated January 12, 2016; De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited
Service Bulletin 84-55-05, Revision A, dated June 3, 2016; De
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-55-05,
Revision B, dated February 26, 2021.
(2) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by
paragraph (g)(2) or (3) of this AD, if those actions were performed
before the effective date of this AD using any of the repair
drawings (RDs) specified in figure 1 to paragraph (h) of this AD.
Figure 1 to paragraph (h)--Repair Drawings
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP04NO22.061
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New
York ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In
accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal
inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If
sending information directly to the manager of the certification
office, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational
Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300. Before using any
approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or
lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight
Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO
Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or De
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited's TCCA Design Approval
Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must
include the DAO-authorized signature.
(j) Related Information
(1) Refer to TCCA AD CF-2022-02, dated January 28, 2022, for
related information. This TCCA AD may be found in the AD docket at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2022-1403.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Yaser Osman,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
telephone 516-228-7300; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d7eefab6a1a4fab9aeb6b4b8fab4b8a497b1b6b6f9b0b8a1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f7ceda968184da998e969498da949884b7919696d9909881">[email protected]</span></a>.
(3) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (k)(3) and (4) of this AD.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-
55-05, Revision C, dated August 19, 2021.
(ii) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin
84-55-11, dated February 16, 2021.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact De
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, Dash 8 Series Customer
Response Centre, 5800 Explorer Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 5K9,
Canada; telephone 855-310-1013 or 647-277-5820; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1b6f737f5b277a3b73697e7d26" http: dehavilland.com">dehavilland.com</a>">thd@<a href="http://dehavilland.com">dehavilland.com</a></a>; website <a href="http://dehavilland.com">dehavilland.com</a>.
(4) You may view this 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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records
[[Page 66623]]
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at NARA, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9dfbefb3f4f3eeedf8fee9f4f2f3ddf3fceffcb3faf2eb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c4a2b6eaadaab7b4a1a7b0adabaa84aaa5b6a5eaa3abb2">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to:
<a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on October 25, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-23594 Filed 11-3-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-C
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