AD 2018-20-12

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain

Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes, Model DHC-

8-200 series airplanes, and Model DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This AD

was prompted by reports of arcing and smoke emanating from the

windshield, caused by loose or damaged windshield heater terminal lugs.

This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to

incorporate maintenance review board (MRB) tasks for general visual

inspections of the windshield moisture seal. This AD also requires re-

torqueing the windshield heater terminal lugs, applying a coating to

the windshield heater screw heads, doing a chemical cleaning of the

wiring and components, doing a visual inspection of the wiring and

components, doing an operational test of the pilot's and co-pilot's

windshield heating system, and repair if necessary We are issuing this

AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

Adoption of 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]

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2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness

directive (AD):

2018-20-12 Bombardier, Inc.: Amendment 39-19446; Docket No. FAA-

2018-0553; Product Identifier 2017-NM-138-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective November 23, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-102, -103, -

106, -201, -202,

[[Page 52753]]

-301, -311, and -315 airplanes, certificated in any category, serialnumbers 003 through 672 inclusive.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 30, Ice and rain

protection.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by reports of arcing and smoke emanating

from the windshield, caused by loose or damaged windshield heater

terminal lugs. We are issuing this AD to address loose terminal lugs

and terminal lugs damaged due to fluid ingress between the

windshields and side window posts, which could lead to burning of

the lugs and cracking of the windshields, and could ultimately cause

a loss of cabin pressure, resulting in an emergency descent.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,

unless already done.

(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the

existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable,to

incorporate the applicable task identified in paragraphs (g)(1),

(g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD into the applicable program support

manual (PSM) identified in table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD,

which is included in the existing maintenance or inspection program.

The initial compliance time for the tasks are within 1,600 flight

hours or 12 months, whichever occurs first after the effective date

of this AD.

(1) de Havilland Inc. Dash 8 Series 100 Maintenance Task Card

Task Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield

Moisture Seal,'' dated August 5, 2017.

(2) de Havilland Inc. Dash 8 Series 200 Maintenance Task Card

Task Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield

Moisture Seal,'' dated August 5, 2017.

(3) de Havilland Inc. Dash 8 Series 300 Maintenance Task Card

Task Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield

Moisture Seal,'' dated March 15, 2017.Table 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--PSM to Update

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maintenance requirements

Airplane model manual (MRM)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

DHC-8-102, -103, and -106............... PSM 1-8-7

DHC-8-201 and -202...................... PSM 1-82-7

DHC-8-301, -311, and -315............... PSM 1-83-7

------------------------------------------------------------------------

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as

required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g.,

inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or

intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC)

in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k)(1) of

this AD.

(i) Cleaning, Inspection, Re-Torqueing, Sealant Application, and

Operational Test

Within 8,000 flight hours or 60 months, whichever occurs first

after the effective date of this AD: Perform a chemical cleaning of

the wiring and components, do a general visual inspection of the

wiring and components for signs of cracking, erosion, wear, or other

damage, re-torque the windshield heater terminal lugs, apply

Humiseal coating to the screw heads of the windshield heater, and do

an operational test of the pilot's and co-pilot's windshield heating

system, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of

Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-30-41, Revision A, dated March 24,

2017. If the operational test fails, before further flight, do

corrective actions, repeat the test, and do applicable corrective

actions until the operational test is passed. If any cracking,

erosion, wear, or other damage is found, before further flight,

repair using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO Branch,

FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or Bombardier,

Inc.'s TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the

DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by

paragraph (i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the

effective date of this AD using Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-30-41,

dated March 31, 2016.

(k) Other FAA 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 local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate.If sending information directly to the manager of the certification

office, 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; fax 516-794-5531. Before

using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal

inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the

local flight standards district office/certificate holding district

office.

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD

to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be

accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO

Branch, FAA; or TCCA; or Bombardier, Inc.'s TCCA DAO. If approved by

the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(l) Related Information

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information

(MCAI) Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2017-25, dated July 31,

2017, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD

docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching

for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0553.

(2) For more information about this AD, contact John P. DeLuca,

Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Administrative Services Section,

FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury,

NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7369; fax 516-794-5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.

(3) Service information identified in this AD that is not

incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in

paragraphs (m)(3) and (m)(4) of this AD.

(m) 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) Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-30-41, Revision A, dated March

24, 2017.

(ii) de Havilland Inc. Dash 8 Series 100 Maintenance Task Card

Task Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield

Moisture Seal,'' dated August 5, 2017.

(iii) de Havilland Inc. Dash 8 Series 200 Maintenance Task Card

Task Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield

Moisture Seal,'' dated August 5, 2017.

(iv) de Havilland Inc. Dash 8 Series 300 Maintenance Task Card

Task Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield

Moisture Seal,'' dated March 15, 2017.

(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact

Bombardier, Inc., Q-Series Technical Help Desk, 123 Garratt

Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1Y5, Canada; telephone 416-375-4000;

fax 416-375-4539; email thd.qseries@aero.bombardier.com; internet

http://www.bombardier.com.

(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport

Standards 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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR

part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Bombardier, Inc.,

Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes, Model DHC-8-200 series

airplanes, and Model DHC-8-300 series airplanes. The NPRM published in

the Federal Register on July 6, 2018 (83 FR 31493). The NPRM was

prompted by reports of arcing and smoke emanating from the windshield,

caused by loose or damaged windshield heater terminal lugs. The NPRM

proposed to require revising the maintenance or inspection program to

incorporate MRB tasks for general visual inspections of the windshield

moisture seal. The NPRM also proposed to require re-torqueing the

windshield heater terminal lugs, applying a coating to the windshield

heater screw heads, doing a chemical cleaning of the wiring and

components, doing a visual inspection of the wiring and components,doing an operational test of the pilot's and co-pilot's windshield

heating system, and repair if necessary.

We are issuing this AD to address loose terminal lugs and terminal

lugs damaged due to fluid ingress between the windshields and side

window posts, which could lead to burning of the lugs and cracking of

the windshields, and could ultimately cause a loss of cabin pressure,

resulting in an emergency descent.

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation

authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2017-25, dated July 31,

2017 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness

Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for

certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes,

Model DHC-8-200 series airplanes, and Model DHC-8-300 series airplanes.

The MCAI states:

There have been several reports of arcing and smoke emanating

from the windshields. Investigation of these incidents revealed that

de-icing fluid and water could enter between the windshields and

side window posts, leading to possible damage of the windshield

heater terminal lugs creating arcing and smoke. In addition,

investigation also revealed that the windshield heater terminal lugs

tend to loosen over time. Loose terminal lugs could also have a

similar effect of arcing and smoke. Both events could lead to

burning of the lugs and, due to the excessive heat, cracking of the

windshields. If not corrected, these conditions could cause a loss

of cabin pressure resulting in an emergency descent.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-

0553.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing

this final rule. We have considered the comment received. The Air Line

Pilots Association, International (ALPA) indicated its support for the

NPRM.

[[Page 52752]]

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and

determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting

this final rule as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We

have determined that these minor changes:

Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the

NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and

Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was

already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Bombardier has issued Service Bulletin 8-30-41, Revision A, dated

March 24, 2017. This service information describes procedures for re-

torqueing the windshield heater terminal lugs and applying Humiseal

coating to the screw heads of the windshield heater, doing a chemical

cleaning andgeneral visual inspection of the wiring and components,

and doing an operational test of the windshield heating system.

Bombardier has also issued the following service information, which

describes airworthiness limitation tasks for a general visual

inspection of the windshield moisture seal. These documents are

distinct since they apply to different airplane models.

de Havilland Inc. Dash 8 Series 100 Maintenance Task Card

Task Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield

Moisture Seal,'' dated August 5, 2017.

de Havilland Inc. Dash 8 Series 200 Maintenance Task Card

Task Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield

Moisture Seal,'' dated August 5, 2017.

de Havilland Inc. Dash 8 Series 300 Maintenance Task Card

Task Number 5610/01, ``General Visual Inspection of the Windshield

Moisture Seal,'' dated March 15, 2017.

This service information is reasonably available because theinterested parties have access to it through their normal course of

business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 63 airplanes of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cost per Cost on U.S.

Labor cost Parts cost product operators

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255........................... $0 $255 $16,065

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Table does not include estimated costs for revising the maintenance or inspectionprogram.

We have determined that revising the maintenance or inspection

program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although we

recognize that this number may vary from operator to operator. In the

past, we have estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per

airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program

changes for their affected fleet(s), we have determined that a per-

operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate.

Therefore, we estimate the total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90

work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide

cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.

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.

We are 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.

This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the

Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by

FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is

normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, butduring this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the

authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes and

associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies

and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive ornegative, 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.