AD 99-26-16

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) series airplanes, that requires, for certain airplanes, removing the hydraulic tube assemblies from the main landing gear (MLG) bay, installing new re-routed hydraulic tube assemblies, and repositioning a fuel line, as applicable. For certain other airplanes, this amendment requires a general visual inspection to determine the routing of certain hydraulic and fuel lines, and repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent damage to hydraulic and fuel lines resulting from failure of an MLG, which could cause a fire in the MLG wheel well.

Final rule

99-26-16 BOMBARDIER, INC. (Formerly Canadair): Amendment 39-11476. Docket 99-NM-166-AD. Issued December 16, 1999.
Applicability: Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes, serial numbers 1004 through 1085 inclusive; Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) series airplanes, serial numbers 3001 through 3066 inclusive; Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) series airplanes, serial numbers 5001 through 5194 inclusive, and 5301 through 5317 inclusive, 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 damage to hydraulic and fuel lines resulting from failure of a main landing gear (MLG), which could cause a fire in the MLG wheel well, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Modification
(a) Within 300 landings or 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, accomplish the actions in paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this AD, as applicable.

(1) For Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) series airplanes: Remove the five existing hydraulic tube assemblies from the MLG bay, install six new re-routed hydraulic tube assemblies, and reposition a fuel line, in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 600-0671, dated August 4, 1997.

(2)For Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and -3R) series airplanes: Remove the five existing hydraulic tube assemblies from the MLG bay, and install six new re-routed hydraulic tube assemblies, in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 601-0482, dated April 15, 1997.

(3) For Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series airplanes: Perform a general visual inspection of the routing of the hydraulic and fuel lines in the MLG bay in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-29-001, dated December 20, 1996.

NOTE 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is defined as: "A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked."

(i) If all hydraulic lines are routed in accordance with the service bulletin, no further action is required by this paragraph.

(ii) If any hydraulic line is not routed in accordance with the service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate.

Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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 ACO. 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the New York ACO.

Special Flight Permits
(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.

Incorporation by Reference
(d) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3)(ii), the actions shall be done in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 600-0671, dated August 4, 1997; Bombardier Service Bulletin 601-0482, dated April 15, 1997; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-29-001, dated December 20, 1996, as applicable. 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, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 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.

NOTE 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian airworthiness directive CF-99-14, dated May 7, 1999.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on February 1, 2000.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 27, 1999 (64 FR 57798). For certain airplanes, that action proposed to require removing the hydraulic tube assemblies from the main landing gear (MLG) bay, installing new re-routed hydraulic tube assemblies, and repositioning a fuel line, as applicable. For certain other airplanes, that action proposed to require a general visual inspection to determine the routing of certain hydraulic and fuel lines, and repair, if necessary.

Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 249 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
The FAA estimates that 231 Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and 3R) series airplanes will be affected by this proposed AD, that it will take approximately 20 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators of these airplanes is estimated to be $277,200, or $1,200 per airplane.

The FAA estimates that 18 Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) series airplanes will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required inspection. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators of these airplanes is estimated to be $1,080, or $60 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

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