Proposed Rule2023-11590
Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
June 1, 2023
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 the main landing gear (MLG) aft door not opening when using the alternate extension system. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the spring box assembly, repetitive inspections of the cam assembly and alternate release cable assembly, corrective actions if necessary, and a replacement of certain alternate release cable assemblies. In addition, this proposed AD would also require certain aircraft maintenance manuals tasks when installing the cam assembly or alternate release cable 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 88 Issue 105 (Thursday, June 1, 2023)</title>
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<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 105 (Thursday, June 1, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35788-35791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11590]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1047; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01601-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 the main
landing gear (MLG) aft door not opening when using the alternate
extension system. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection
of the spring box assembly, repetitive inspections of the cam assembly
and alternate release cable assembly, corrective actions if necessary,
and a replacement of certain alternate release cable assemblies. In
addition, this proposed AD would also require certain aircraft
maintenance manuals tasks when installing the cam assembly or alternate
release cable 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 July 17,
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-2023-1047; 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#493d212d09752869213b2c2f74" 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 Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gabriel Kim, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-
228-7300; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#89b0a4e8fffaa4e7f0e8eae6a4eae6fac9efe8e8a7eee6ff"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a29b8fc3d4d18fccdbc3c1cd8fc1cdd1e2c4c3c38cc5cdd4">[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-2023-1047; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-01601-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.
[[Page 35789]]
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, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#675e4a0611144a091e0604084a0408142701060649000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bd8490dccbce90d3c4dcded290ded2cefddbdcdc93dad2cb">[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 Transport Canada AD CF-2022-69, dated December 16, 2022
(Transport Canada AD CF-2022-69) (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.) Model
DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes. The MCAI states that several instances
occurred where the maintenance crew using the MLG alternate extension
system did not open the MLG aft doors. An investigation found that the
associated cam assembly failed due to a fractured cam assembly lever, a
damaged spring box assembly, or a broken alternate release cable
assembly.
The FAA is proposing this AD to address possible cam assembly,
spring box assembly, and alternate release cable assembly failures. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in asymmetric main
landing gear configuration at landing, and a runway excursion.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1047.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service
Bulletin 84-32-159, dated June 28, 2019. This service information
specifies procedures for performing a general visual inspection of the
cam assembly (part number (P/N) 48510-5) for discrepancies (such as the
cam assembly does not return to its original rested position, or signs
of an increased gap between the roller and the cam guide); a general
visual inspection of the alternate release cable assembly (or uplock
cable assembly) (P/N 48503-3) for discrepancies (such as a broken
cable); a one-time general visual inspection for discrepancies (such as
any bend on the plunger) of the left and right MLG spring box assembly
(P/N 48504-1); and corrective actions. Corrective actions include
replacing the cam assembly with a new cam assembly, replacing the
alternate release cable assembly with a new alternate release cable
assembly, and replacing the spring box assembly with a new spring box
assembly.
The FAA also reviewed De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited
Service Bulletin 84-32-172, dated August 16, 2022, including Collins
Aerospace Service Bulletin 48500-32-152, dated July 18, 2022. This
service information specifies procedures for replacing the left and
right MLG alternate release cable assemblies, P/N 48503-3, with the
redesigned alternate release cable assembly, P/N 48503-5.
The FAA also reviewed De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited
Temporary Revision 32-603, dated December 1, 2022, which describes
aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) TASK 32-34-16-400-804, ``Installation
of the Alternate Extension Cables--Center Fuselage to Nacelle.''
The FAA also reviewed AMM TASK 32-34-26-400-801, ``Installation of
the MLG Alternate-Extension Cam-Mechanism Assembly'' of Subject 32-34-
26, ``Cam Mechanism Assembly--MLG Alternative Extension'' in Chapter
32, ``Landing Gear,'' of the De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited
Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 76, dated March 5, 2022.
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 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, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced 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 designs.
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 55 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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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Up to 5 work-hour x $85 per hour = $425 $4,780 Up to $5,205.............. Up to $286,275.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of any
required action. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need this on-condition action:
[[Page 35790]]
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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4.5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $383.. $41,328 $41,711
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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-2023-1047; Project
Identifier MCAI-2022-01601-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 17, 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, having serial numbers
4001 and 4003 through 4633 inclusive.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code: 32, Landing
Gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of the main landing gear (MLG)
aft door not opening when using the alternate extension system. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address possible cam assembly, spring box
assembly, and alternate release cable assembly failures. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in asymmetric MLG
configuration at landing, and a runway excursion.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) One-Time Inspection
Within 2,400 flight hours or 12 months, whichever occurs first,
after the effective date of this AD, do a one-time general visual
inspection for discrepancies on the left and right MLG spring box
assemblies (part number (P/N) 48504-1), in accordance with Section
3.B., Part A, of the Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland
Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin 84-32-159, dated June 28, 2019.
If any discrepancy is discovered in the spring box assembly, before
further flight, replace with a new spring box assembly, in
accordance with Section 3.B. Part B, of the Accomplishment
Instructions of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin 84-
32-159, dated June 28, 2019.
(h) Repetitive Inspections
(1) Within 2,400 flight hours or 12 months, whichever occurs
first, after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual
inspection for discrepancies of the cam assemblies (P/N 48510-5) on
the left and right MLG, in accordance with Section 3.B. Part A, of
the Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
Service Bulletin 84-32-159, dated June 28, 2019. Thereafter, repeat
the inspection at intervals not to exceed 2,400 flight hours or 12
months, whichever occurs first. If any discrepancy is discovered in
the cam assembly, before further flight, replace with a new cam
assembly, in accordance with Section 3.B. Part B, of the
Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
Service Bulletin 84-32-159, dated June 28, 2019.
(2) Within 2,400 flight hours or 12 months, whichever occurs
first, after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual
inspection for discrepancies of the alternate release cable
assemblies (P/N 48503-3) on the left and right MLG, in accordance
with Section 3.B., Part A, of the Accomplishment Instructions of De
Havilland Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin 84-32-159, dated June
28, 2019. Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals not to
exceed 2,400 flight hours or 12 months, whichever occurs first. If
any discrepancy is found, before further flight, replace the
alternate release cable assembly with a redesigned alternate release
cable assembly P/N 48503-5, in accordance with in accordance with
Section 3.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland
Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin 84-32-172, dated August 16,
2022, including Collins Aerospace Service Bulletin 48500-32-152,
dated July 18, 2022. Accomplishing the replacement required by
paragraph (i) of this AD terminates the inspections required by this
paragraph.
(i) Replacement
Within 5,500 flight hours or 30 months, whichever occurs first,
after the effective date of this AD, replace the left and right MLG
alternate release cable assemblies, P/N 48503-3, with the redesigned
alternate release cable assembly, P/N 48503-5, in accordance with
Section 3.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of De Havilland
Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin 84-32-172, dated August 16,
2022, including
[[Page 35791]]
Collins Aerospace Service Bulletin 48500-32-152, dated July 18,
2022.
(j) Maintenance Task Requirement
As of the effective date of this AD, when installing an MLG
alternate extension system cam assembly and when installing an
alternate release cable assembly, the following aircraft maintenance
manual (AMM) tasks must be used, as applicable:
(1) For the alternate release cable assembly: AMM TASK 32-34-16-
400-804, ``Installation of the Alternate Extension Cables--Center
Fuselage to Nacelle'' as specified in De Havilland Aircraft of
Canada Limited Temporary Revision 32-603, dated December 1, 2022.
(2) For the MLG alternate extension system cam assembly: AMM
TASK 32-34-26-400-801, ``Installation of the MLG Alternate-Extension
Cam-Mechanism Assembly'' of Subject 32-34-26, ``Cam Mechanism
Assembly--MLG Alternative Extension'' in Chapter 32, ``Landing
Gear,'' of the De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Aircraft
Maintenance Manual, Revision 76, dated March 5, 2022.
(k) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on
any airplane, an alternate release cable assembly P/N 48503-3.
(l) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, East
Certification 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 East
Certification Branch, mail it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing
Operational Safety, at the address identified in paragraph (m)(2) of
this AD or email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c3faeea2b5b0eeadbaa2a0aceea0acb083a5a2a2eda4acb5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="51687c3027227c3f2830323e7c323e22113730307f363e27">[email protected]</span></a>. If mailing
information, also submit information by email. 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, East
Certification 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.
(m) Additional Information
(1) Refer to Transport Canada AD CF-2022-69, dated December 16,
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-2023-1047.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Gabriel Kim,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#50697d3126237d3e2931333f7d333f23103631317e373f26"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f6cfdb978085db988f979599db959985b6909797d8919980">[email protected]</span></a>.
(n) 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-
32-159, dated June 28, 2019.
(ii) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Service Bulletin
84-32-172, dated August 16, 2022, including Collins Aerospace
Service Bulletin 48500-32-152, dated July 18, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (n)(2)(ii): De Havilland issued De Havilland
Service Bulletin 84-32-172, dated August 16, 2022, with Collins
Aerospace Service Bulletin 48500-32-152, dated July 18, 2022,
attached as one ``merged'' file for the convenience of affected
operators.
(iii) De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Temporary Revision
32-603, dated December 1, 2022.
(iv) AMM TASK 32-34-26-400-801, ``Installation of the MLG
Alternate-Extension Cam-Mechanism Assembly,'', of Subject 32-34-26,
``Cam Mechanism Assembly--MLG Alternative Extension'' in Chapter 32,
``Landing Gear,'' of the De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited
Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 76, dated March 5, 2022.
(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#b6c2ded2f68ad796dec4d3d08b" 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 Street, 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#ff998dd196918c8f9a9c8b969091bf919e8d9ed1989089"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c1a7b3efa8afb2b1a4a2b5a8aeaf81afa0b3a0efa6aeb7">[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 May 25, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-11590 Filed 5-31-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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