Proposed Rule2022-25692
Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 25, 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 an investigation of incorrectly manufactured sleeves that were potentially installed in the main landing gear (MLG) forward door linkage assembly. This proposed AD would require review of technical records and inspections to determine if a discrepant sleeve is installed, replacement of any discrepant sleeve and re-identification of the MLG forward door linkage assembly. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts. 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 226 (Friday, November 25, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 226 (Friday, November 25, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72424-72426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-25692]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1482; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00697-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 an investigation of
incorrectly manufactured sleeves that were potentially installed in the
main landing gear (MLG) forward door linkage assembly. This proposed AD
would require review of technical records and inspections to determine
if a discrepant sleeve is installed, replacement of any discrepant
sleeve and re-identification of the MLG forward door linkage assembly.
This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected
parts. 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 January 9,
2023.
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-2022-1482; 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 Incorporated 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 North America (toll-free): 855-310-1013, Direct: 647-
277-5820; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#097d616d49356829617b6c6f34" 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> 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 North America (toll-free): 855-310-1013, Direct: 647-
277-5820; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ea9e828eaad68bca82988f8cd7" 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: Gabriel Kim, Aerospace Engineer,
Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services 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#774e5a1601045a190e1614185a1418043711161659101801"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3b02165a4d481655425a5854165854487b5d5a5a155c544d">[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-2022-1482; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-00697-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
this 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 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
Gabriel Kim, Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Administrative
Services 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#1c25317d6a6f3172657d7f73317f736f5c7a7d7d327b736a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="350c18544346185b4c54565a18565a46755354541b525a43">[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, which is the aviation authority for Canada, has
issued AD CF-2022-29, dated May 27, 2022 (Transport Canada AD CF-2022-
29) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for
certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) airplanes. The MCAI states that
some forward door linkage sleeves, part number (P/N) 46878-1, have been
manufactured without lubrication grooves on the outer diameter. An
investigation confirmed that incorrectly manufactured sleeves were
potentially supplied from October 2019 to July 2021. A discrepant
sleeve with missing lubrication grooves can result in the fatigue
failure of the forward door linkage, leading to possible interference
with the extension or retraction of the corresponding MLG. This
condition, if not corrected and when combined with other failures,
could result in an asymmetric MLG configuration at landing and a
subsequent runway excursion.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1482.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service
Bulletin (SB) 84-32-169, dated February 28, 2022. This service
information specifies procedures for
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review of the airplane records to determine the date of replacement, if
any, of sleeve P/N 46878-1, a visual inspection of affected sleeves for
the presence of lubrication grooves, and a visual inspection of the
swivel link, clevis assembly, and swivel end assembly for discrepancies
including signs of damage, deformation, erosion, and corrosion.
Corrective actions include replacement of any sleeve that has missing
lubrication grooves; repair or replacement of any discrepant swivel
link, clevis assembly, and swivel end assembly; and re-identification
of the forward door linkage. Assemble the forward door linkage, torque
self-locking nuts, and re-install the forward door linkage assemblies.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in ADDRESSES.
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, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
described above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop
in 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. This proposed AD would
also prohibit the installation of affected parts.
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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3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255........................... $0 $255 $14,280
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions 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 these on-condition actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255 to $1,284 $1,539
replace the sleeve...................
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The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost
estimates for the on-condition repairs 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.
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-2022-1482; Project
Identifier MCAI-2022-00697-T.
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(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by January 9, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (type
certificate previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-8-401 and
-402 airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 4001,
4003 and subsequent.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing
Gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an investigation of incorrectly
manufactured sleeves that were potentially installed in the main
landing gear (MLG) forward door linkages. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the discrepant sleeves with missing lubrication grooves,
which can result in the fatigue failure of the forward door linkage,
leading to possible interference with the extension or retraction of
the corresponding MLG. The unsafe condition, if not corrected and
when combined with other failures, could result in an asymmetric MLG
configuration at landing and a subsequent runway excursion.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Airplane Records Review
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, review the
airplane records to determine whether any sleeve P/N 46878-1 was
replaced after October 29, 2019, on any MLG forward door linkage
assembly P/N 46860.
(1) For any sleeve P/N 46878-1 that was replaced after October
29, 2019, and for any sleeve for which its replacement date cannot
be conclusively determined from the records: Within 1,500 flight
cycles after the effective date of this AD, do the actions specified
in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of this AD, in accordance with
Section 3.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland
Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin (SB) 84-32-169, dated
February 28, 2022.
(i) Do a general visual inspection of the sleeve for the
presence of lubrication grooves, and before further flight replace
any sleeve that does not have lubrication grooves.
(ii) Do a general visual inspection of the MLG forward door
linkage assemblies (swivel link, clevis assembly, and swivel end
assembly) for damage, deformation, erosion, and corrosion, and
before further flight repair or replace the discrepant parts.
(2) If the records confirm that no maintenance was performed on
the MLG forward door linkage assembly P/N 46860 after October 29,
2019, no further action is required by this paragraph.
(h) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on
any airplane, a sleeve P/N 46878-1 with missing lubrication grooves.
(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 the attention of the person identified in
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3b02167a6d68167a7269160c080b167a7674787b5d5a5a155c544d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a29b8fe3f4f18fe3ebf08f9591928fe3efede1e2c4c3c38cc5cdd4">[email protected]</span></a> or 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; or De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
Limited's Transport Canada Design Approval Organization (DAO). If
approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized
signature.
(j) Additional Information
(1) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2022-29, dated May 27, 2022,
for related information. This Transport Canada AD may be found in
the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2022-1482.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Gabriel Kim,
Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services
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#635a4e0215104e0d1a02000c4e000c10230502024d040c15"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="447d69253237692a3d25272b69272b37042225256a232b32">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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
(SB) 84-32-169, dated February 28, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(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 North America (toll-free): 855-310-1013, Direct:
647-277-5820; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#75011d11354914551d07101348" 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 Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0c6a7e2265627f7c696f786563624c626d7e6d226b637a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ddbbaff3b4b3aeadb8bea9b4b2b39db3bcafbcf3bab2ab">[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 November 15, 2022.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-25692 Filed 11-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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