AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY:
We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that certain lanyards for the passenger oxygen masks are longer than the specified length, possibly leading to inactive oxygen masks in an emergency. This proposed AD would require replacing certain oxygen mask lanyards. We propose this AD to detect and correct lanyards of incorrect length, which might not activate the flow of oxygen in an emergency, resulting in injury to passengers.
DATES:
We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 3, 2013.
ADDRESSES:
You may send comments by any of the following methods:
- Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
- Fax: (202) 493-2251.
- Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
- Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Côte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-7401; email thd.crj@aero.bombardier.com; Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov;; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cesar Gomez, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Branch, ANE-171, FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, New York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7318; fax (516) 794-5531.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2013-0548; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-008-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2012-31, dated December 7, 2012 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
The aeroplane manufacturer has determined that the Oxygen Dispensing Unit (ODU) lanyards, in several locations throughout the aeroplane cabin, are excessively long. In an emergency situation where oxygen is required, it is possible that certain occupants may put their oxygen mask on without automatically activating the oxygen flow which could result in a fatal injury.
This [Canadian] AD mandates the replacement of the existing ODU lanyards with lanyards of the correct length.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
Relevant Service Information
Bombardier, Inc. has issued Service Bulletin 700-1A11-35-009, dated October 22, 2012. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
This AD applies only to airplanes that have been modified by FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST02140NY, issued October 14, 2005. Internet: http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/6B8CF26D01F5E6DE862570C7006DCD7E?OpenDocument&Highlight=st02140ny.
Costs of Compliance
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 22 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 16 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $29,920, or $1,360 per product.
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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation:
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 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 proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
- Air transportation
- Aircraft
- Aviation safety
- Incorporation by reference
- Safety
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
Bombardier, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2013-0548; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-008-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by September 3, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A11 airplanes, certificated in any category, modified by FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST02140NY, issued October 14, 2005. Internet: http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/6B8CF26D01F5E6DE862570C7006DCD7E?OpenDocument&Highlight=st02140ny.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report that certain lanyards for the passenger oxygen masks are longer than the specified length, possibly leading to inactive oxygen masks in an emergency. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct lanyards of incorrect length, which might not activate the flow of oxygen in an emergency, resulting in injury to passengers.
(f) Compliance
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
(g) Replacement
Within 750 flight hours or 15 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Replace lanyards having part numbers (PN) B431564-503 and -505 for all passenger oxygen dispensing units, with lanyards having PN B431564-507, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 700-1A11-35-009, dated October 22, 2012.
(h) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), ANE-170, 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 ACO, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational Safety, FAA, New York ACO, 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. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(i) Related Information
(1) Refer to Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2012-31, dated December 7, 2012, for related information.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Côte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9, Canada; telephone 514-855-5000; fax 514-855-7401; email thd.crj@aero.bombardier.com; Internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 5, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17255 Filed 7-17-13; 8:45 am]
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