Rule2023-07737
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
April 13, 2023
Effective
May 18, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and - 402 airplanes. This 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 AD requires 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 AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 71 (Thursday, April 13, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 71 (Thursday, April 13, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22364-22367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07737]
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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;
Amendment 39-22389; AD 2023-06-03]
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: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and -
402 airplanes. This 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 AD requires
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 AD
also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 18, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 18,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at 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 final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The address for
Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
[[Page 22365]]
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this final rule,
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#a2d6cac6e29ec382cad0c7c49f" 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. It is also available at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2022-1482.
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#51687c3027227c3f2830323e7c323e22113730307f363e27"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ab3a7ebfcf9a7e4f3ebe9e5a7e9e5f9caecebeba4ede5fc">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain De Havilland
Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on November 25, 2022 (87 FR 72424).
The NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2022-29, dated May 27, 2022, issued by
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada (referred
to after this as the MCAI). 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.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 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. The FAA also proposed to
prohibit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1482.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from The Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received an additional comment from Horizon Air. The
following presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to the comment.
Request To Refer to Latest Revision of Service Bulletin and Allow
Credit for Required Actions Using Previous Service Bulletin
Horizon Air stated De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service
Bulletin 84-32-169, Revision A, dated July 21, 2022, has been released.
Horizon Air asked the FAA to revise the proposed AD to refer to De
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-32-169,
Revision A, dated July 21, 2022. Horizon Air also asked the FAA to
allow credit for required actions done in accordance with De Havilland
Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-32-169, dated February
28, 2022, prior to the effective date of the AD.
The FAA agrees to use the updated service information. De Havilland
Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-32-169, Revision A,
dated July 21, 2022, including Collins Aerospace Service Bulletin
46860-32-150, Revision 1, dated June 28, 2022, does not substantively
affect the requirements proposed in the NPRM and only makes minor
changes by adding references to an advisory document and the MCAI AD.
The FAA has revised this final rule to refer to De Havilland Aircraft
of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-32-169, Revision A, dated July
21, 2022, including Collins Aerospace Service Bulletin 46860-32-150,
Revision 1, dated June 28, 2022. The FAA has also added paragraph (i)
to this AD to provide credit for actions done in accordance with De
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-32-169, dated
February 28, 2022, including Collins Aerospace Service Bulletin 46860-
32-150, dated February 1, 2022, prior to the effective date of this AD.
Conclusion
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 this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the
comments received, and determined that air safety requires adopting
this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on this product. Except for minor editorial
changes, and any other changes described previously, this AD is adopted
as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic
burden on any operator.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service
Bulletin 84-32-169, Revision A, dated July 21, 2022, including Collins
Aerospace Service Bulletin 46860-32-150, Revision 1, dated June 28,
2022. This service information specifies procedures for 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 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 56 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 22366]]
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 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 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
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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:
2023-06-03 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22389; Docket No.
FAA-2022-1482; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00697-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 18, 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 84-32-169, Revision A,
dated July 21, 2022, including Collins Aerospace Service Bulletin
46860-32-150, Revision 1, dated June 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
[[Page 22367]]
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) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective
date of this AD, using the service information identified in De
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin 84-32-169,
dated February 28, 2022, including Collins Aerospace Service
Bulletin 46860-32-150, dated February 1, 2022.
(j) 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 (k)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d5ecf8948386f8949c87f8e2e6e5f894989a9695b3b4b4fbb2baa3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="695044283f3a4428203b445e5a59442824262a290f0808470e061f">[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.
(k) 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#f8c1d5998e8bd59681999b97d59b978bb89e9999d69f978e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bd8490dccbce90d3c4dcded290ded2cefddbdcdc93dad2cb">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference 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-
32-169, Revision A, dated July 21, 2022, including Collins Aerospace
Service Bulletin 46860-32-150, Revision 1, dated June 28, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (l)(2)(i): De Havilland issued De Havilland
Service Bulletin 84-32-169, Revision A, dated July 21, 2022, with
Collins Aerospace Service Bulletin 46860-32-150, Revision 1, dated
June 28, 2022, attached as one ``merged'' file for the convenience
of affected operators.
(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#f1859995b1cd90d199839497cc" 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#f69084d89f9885869395829f9998b698978497d8919980"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cfa9bde1a6a1bcbfaaacbba6a0a18fa1aebdaee1a8a0b9">[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 March 14, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-07737 Filed 4-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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