AD 96-05-06 ACTIVE

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Canadair Model CL-215-1A10 series airplanes. This action requires a one-time inspection of the main distribution center for loose or missing attachment hardware, and correction of any discrepancy identified. This amendment is prompted by a report of total loss of electrical power on one airplane during flight, which was caused by shorting out of the voltage regulator in the main distribution center. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent total electrical failure during flight, which could adversely affect the continued safe flight of the airplane.

Final rule; request for comments

96-05-06 CANADAIR: Amendment 39-9532. Docket 95-NM-272-AD.
Applicability: Model CL-215-1A10 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent total loss of electricalpower on the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 10 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, inspect the complete main distribution center and all electrical components for loose or missing hardware, in accordance with paragraphs 2.A., 2.B., 2.C., and 2.D of the Accomplishment Instructions of Canadair Alert Service Bulletin 215-A439, dated July 24, 1991. If any discrepancy is identified during the inspection, prior to further flight, correct the discrepancy in accordance with the alert service bulletin.

(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, New York ACO.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the New York ACO.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(d) The inspection and corrective action shall be done in accordance with Canadair Alert Service Bulletin 215-A439, dated July 24, 1991. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station Centre-ville, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, ThirdFloor, Valley Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on March 22, 1996.

Transport Canada Aviation, which is the airworthiness authority for Canada, has notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Canadair Model CL-215-1A10 series airplanes. Transport Canada Aviation advises that there has been a report of the total loss of electrical power on one airplane during flight. Investigation revealed that the electrical failure occurred when loose hardware (nut and washers) on a terminal from an inverter power relay shorted out a voltage regulator in the main distribution center. Total loss of electrical power during flight, if not corrected, could adversely affect the continued safe flight of the airplane.

Canadair has issued Alert Service Bulletin 215-A439, dated July 24, 1991, which describes procedures for inspecting the main distribution center and all electrical components for loose attaching hardware, and for inspecting the attaching hardware itself for looseness. It also provides instructions for:

1.verifying and adjusting the torque values of those items;

2. restoring or applying a humiseal coating at required locations;

3. safety-wiring electrical connectors and components, as necessary; and

4. removing any loose hardware, lockwire, or foreign objects found between electrical wires, around electrical components, and at the bottom or hidden areas of the main distribution center.

Transport Canada Aviation classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-91-23, dated July 17, 1991, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Canada.

This airplane model is manufactured in Canada and is type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.19) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, Transport Canada Aviation has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of Transport Canada Aviation, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, this AD is being issued to prevent total loss of electrical power on the airplane. This AD requires a one-time inspection to detect looseness of components and attaching hardware of the main distribution center, and correction of any discrepancy identified. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described previously.

None of the Model CL-215-1A10 series airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it would require approximately 2 work hours to accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be $120 per airplane.

Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption "ADDRESSES." All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: "Comments to Docket Number 95-NM-272-AD." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a "significant rule" under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption "ADDRESSES."

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.

39.13 - [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-272-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station Centre-ville, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Peter Cuneo, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANE-173, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7506; fax (516) 568-2716.