AD 2007-14-02

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 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) airplanes. This AD requires inspecting to identify the part number and serial number of the selector valves of the nose landing gear (NLG) and the nose gear door, and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from reports of uncommanded partial retractions of the NLG. We are issuing this AD to prevent internal leakage of the selector valve, which, under certain conditions, could result in an uncommanded retraction of the NLG with consequent damage to the airplane and possible serious injury to ground personnel.

Final rule.

2007-14-02 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Amendment 39-15124. Docket No. FAA-2006-26353; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-189-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective August 16, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to 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) airplanes; certificated in any category; having serial numbers (S/Ns) as identified in the service bulletins specified in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable.

Table 1.--Bombardier Service Bulletins

Service Bulletin
Revision Level
Date
600-0721 (for Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) airplanes)
01
February 20, 2006
601-0558 (for Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and CL-601-3R) airplanes)
01
February 20, 2006
604-32-021 (for Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) airplanes)
02
February 20, 2007

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from reports of uncommanded partial retractions of the nose landing gear (NLG). We are issuing this AD to prevent internal leakage of the selector valve, which, under certain conditions, could result in an uncommanded retraction of the NLG with consequent damage to the airplane and possible serious injury to ground personnel.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Inspection and Corrective Actions

(f) Within 500 flight hours or 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect to determine the manufacturer part numbers (P/Ns) and serial numbers of the selector valves of the NLG and nose gear door. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the serial numbers of the selector valves can be conclusively determined from that review. For any subject selector valve having Tactair Fluid Controls P/N 750006000 anda S/N from 0001 through 0767 inclusive, before further flight, do related investigative (including a general visual inspection for proper installation of the lock wire of the end cap) and corrective actions; in accordance with the applicable service bulletin identified in Table 1 of this AD.

Note 1: Operators should be aware that selector valves having Bombardier P/N 601R75146-1 may be supplied by different manufacturers and have different manufacturer part numbers. Only airplanes having selector valves manufactured by Tactair Fluid Controls, having P/N 750006000, are subject to the investigative and corrective actions specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: "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 from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight 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.''

Note 3: The service bulletins identified in Table 1 of this AD refer to Tactair Fluid Controls Service Bulletin SB750006000-1, Revision A, dated September 6, 2005, as an additional source of service information for doing the related investigative and corrective actions required by this AD.

Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

(g) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-32-021, Revision 01, dated February 20, 2006 (for Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) airplanes), are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actionsspecified in this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(h)(1) The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

Related Information

(i) Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2006-16, dated July 6, 2006, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(j) You must use the applicable service bulletins identified in Table 2 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approvedthe incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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 .

Table 2.--Material Incorporated by Reference

Bombardier Service Bulletin
Revision Level
Date
600-0721
01
February 20, 2006
601-0558
01
February 20, 2006
604-32-021
02
February 20, 2007

Examining the Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the ground floor of the West Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply 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) airplanes. That supplemental NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2007 (72 FR 20777). That supplemental NPRM proposed to require inspecting to identify the part number and serial number of the selector valves of the nose landing gear (NLG) and the nose gear door, and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. That supplemental NPRM also proposed to add airplanes to the applicability.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. No comments have been received on the supplemental NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph

We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the change described previously. We have determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

This AD affects about 502 airplanes of U.S. registry.

The inspection to determine the manufacturer part number and serial number of the selector valve(s) takes about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the required inspection for U.S. operators is $40,160, or $80 per airplane.

The general visual inspection of the selector valve(s), if accomplished, takes about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of that inspection for U.S. operators is $80 per airplane.

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.

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that 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 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

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

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]

2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):