Rule2023-17777
Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
August 21, 2023
Effective
September 25, 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 reports of the main landing gear (MLG) aft door not opening when using the alternate extension system. This AD requires 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 AD requires certain aircraft maintenance manuals tasks when installing the cam assembly or alternate release cable 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 160 (Monday, August 21, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 160 (Monday, August 21, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56753-56756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17777]
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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;
Amendment 39-22524; AD 2023-16-05]
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 reports of the main landing gear
(MLG) aft door not opening when using the alternate extension system.
This AD requires 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 AD requires
certain aircraft maintenance manuals tasks when installing the cam
assembly or alternate release cable 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 September 25, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 25,
2023.
ADDRESSES:
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 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 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#d2a6bab692eeb3f2baa0b7b4ef" 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. It is also available at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2023-1047.
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#655c48041316480b1c04060a48060a16250304044b020a13"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4b72662a3d386625322a2824662824380b2d2a2a652c243d">[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 (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on June 1, 2023 (88 FR 35788). The
NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2022-69, dated December 16, 2022, issued by
Transport Canada, which is the aviation authority for Canada (referred
to after this as the MCAI). 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.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 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, the NPRM also proposed to require certain aircraft
maintenance manuals tasks when installing the cam assembly or alternate
release cable assembly. The NPRM also proposed to prohibit the
installation of affected parts. 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 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.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received a comment from Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.
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, 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 84-32-159, 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
[[Page 56754]]
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
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 55 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this 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 = $4,780 Up to $5,205............ Up to $286,275.
$425.
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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:
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 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:
2023-16-05 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22524; Docket No.
FAA-2023-1047; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01601-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 25,
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.
[[Page 56755]]
(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 Limited 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
Limited 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
Limited 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
Limited 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 Limited 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 Section 3.B.
of the Accomplishment Instructions of 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. 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 Limited Service Bulletin 84-32-172, dated August
16, 2022, including 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,
International Validation 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
International Validation 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#0d34206c7b7e2063746c6e62206e627e4d6b6c6c236a627b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b88195d9cecb95d6c1d9dbd795dbd7cbf8ded9d996dfd7ce">[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, International
Validation 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#2f16024e595c0241564e4c40024c405c6f494e4e01484059"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="320b1f5344411f5c4b53515d1f515d41725453531c555d44">[email protected]</span></a>.
(n) 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-
32-159, 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#86f2eee2c6bae7a6eef4e3e0bb" 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#187e6a3671766b687d7b6c7177765876796a79367f776e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aaccd884c3c4d9dacfc9dec3c5c4eac4cbd8cb84cdc5dc">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to:
[[Page 56756]]
<a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on August 7, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-17777 Filed 8-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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