Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model DHC-7-100, and DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Bombardier Model DHC-7-100, and DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection of maintenance records to determine the method used during the most recent weight and balance check of the airplane and, if necessary, accomplishment of a weight and balance check. 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 unusual handling characteristics and consequent reduced controllability during ground operations due to incorrect methods of weighing and balancing the airplane.

DATES:

Effective September 21, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

James E. Delisio, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ANE-171, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7521; fax (516) 568-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 all Bombardier Model DHC-7-100, and DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 28, 2000 (65 FR 24887). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection of the maintenance records to determine the method used during the most recent weight and balance check of the airplane and, if necessary, accomplishment of a weight and balance check.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comment received.

Request To Revise the Compliance Time

A single commenter requests that the weight and balance check of the airplane required by paragraph (a)(2) of the proposal be revised from “prior to further flight” to “within 60 days after the effective date of the proposed AD.” The commenter states that the intent of the rule should be that the operator would have 60 days to review the records and reweigh any airplane that was last weighed on wing jacks. The commenter objects to the proposed requirement to perform the weight and balance prior to further flight, after the records inspection. The commenter explains that paragraph (a)(2) of the proposal could result in an airplane being grounded.

The FAA concurs with the commenter's request and has revised paragraph (a)(2) of the final rule accordingly.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the change described previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 207 series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, and that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $12,420, or $60 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

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
• 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.

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

2000-16-03 Bombardier Inc. (Formerly de Havilland, Inc.): Amendment 39-11857.

Docket 2000-NM-90-AD.

Applicability: All Model DHC-7-100 series airplanes and all Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 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 unusual handling characteristics and consequent reduced controllability during ground operations due to incorrect methods of weighing and balancing the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time inspection of maintenance records to determine the method used during the most recent weight and balance check of the airplane.

(1) If the maintenance records indicate that platform scales or bottle jacks at the undercarriage jacking points were used during the most recent weight and balance check, no further action is required by this AD.

(2) If the maintenance records indicate that wing jacks were used during the most recent weight and balance check, or if the maintenance records do not verify the use of platform scales or bottle jacks at the undercarriage jacking points, within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, accomplish a weight and balance check of the airplane in accordance with the applicable de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual procedures specified in paragraph (a)(2)(i), (a)(2)(ii), (a)(2)(iii), (a)(2)(iv), (a)(2)(v), (a)(2)(vi), or (a)(2)(vii), of this AD.

(i) For Model DHC-7-100 series airplanes: Accomplish the actions in accordance with de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual PSM 1-7-8, Issue 1, dated

November 1978.

(ii) For Model DHC-7-101 series airplanes: Accomplish the actions in accordance with de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual PSM 1-7C-8, Issue 1, dated November 1978.

(iii) For Model DHC-7-102 series airplanes: Accomplish the actions in accordance with de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual PSM 1-71-8, Issue 2, dated February 1982.

(iv) For Model DHC-7-103 series airplanes: Accomplish the actions in accordance with de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual PSM 1-71C-8, Issue 1, dated November 1979.

(v) For Model DHC-8-100 series airplanes: Accomplish the actions in accordance with de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual PSM 1-8-8, Issue 3, dated March 1996.

(vi) For Model DHC-8-200 series airplanes: Accomplish the actions in accordance with de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual PSM 1-82-8, Issue 2, dated March 1996.

(vii) For Model DHC-8-300 series airplanes: Accomplish the actions in accordance with de Havilland Weight and Balance Manual PSM 1-83-8, Issue 3, dated March 1996.

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 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.

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.

Note 3:

The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian airworthiness directive CF-98-32R1, dated March 11, 1999.

(d) This amendment becomes effective on September 21, 2000.