AD 2006-18-04

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 170 (Friday, September 1, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51990-51993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: E6-14617]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25724; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-197-AD; 
Amendment 39-14742; AD 2006-18-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) 
Airplanes and Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-

[[Page 51991]]

604) airplanes and Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 
airplanes. These models may be referred to by their marketing 
designations as RJ100, RJ200, CRJ100, CRJ200, and CL-65. This AD 
requires revising the Emergency Procedures section of the airplane 
flight manual (AFM) to advise the flightcrew of additional procedures 
to follow in the event of stabilizer trim runaway. For certain 
airplanes, this AD also requires revising the Abnormal Procedures 
section of the AFM to advise the flightcrew of procedures to follow in 
the event of MACH TRIM, STAB TRIM, and horizontal stabilizer trim 
malfunctions. This AD results from reports of uncommanded horizontal 
stabilizer trim motion. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the 
flightcrew is advised of appropriate procedures to follow in the event 
of stabilizer trim runaway. Failure to follow these procedures could 
result in excessive uncommanded movement of the horizontal stabilizer 
trim actuator (HSTA) and loss of ability to use trim switches to 
override uncommanded movement or yoke disconnect switches to disconnect 
the HSTA, which could result in reduction of or loss of pitch trim 
control and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 1, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of September 1, 
2006.
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 31, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to <a href="http://dms.dot.gov">http://dms.dot.gov</a> and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, 
Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada, for service 
information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce Valentine, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE-172, FAA, New York Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410, Westbury, New 
York 11590; telephone (516) 228-7328; fax (516) 794-5531.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for Canada, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on 
certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) airplanes and Model CL-
600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. TCAA advises that 
there have been reports of uncommanded horizontal stabilizer trim 
motion on Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) airplanes. Investigation revealed 
contamination of the circuit board of the horizontal stabilizer trim 
control unit (HSTCU). The circuit boards installed on HSTCUs were not 
conformal coated to protect against moisture exposure. Contamination of 
the circuit board could lead to one or more of the following types of 
behavior:
    <bullet> Erratic/intermittent uncommanded movement of the 
horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA).
    <bullet> Uncommanded movement of the HSTA to the full up or full 
down position.
    <bullet> Loss of the flightcrew's ability to override uncommanded 
movement by use of the trim switches.
    <bullet> Loss of the flightcrew's ability to disconnect the HSTA 
using the yoke disconnect switches.
    These conditions, if not corrected, could result in reduction of or 
loss of pitch trim control and consequent reduced controllability of 
the airplane.
    The HSTCU circuit boards on Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 
100 & 440) airplanes are identical to that on the affected Model CL-
600-2B16 (CL-604) airplanes. Therefore, those Model CL-600-2B19 
(Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes may be subject to the unsafe 
condition revealed on the Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) airplanes.

Relevant Service Information

    Canadair (Bombardier) has issued the temporary revisions (TRs) 
specified in the table below.

                                                    Table--TRs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     For Bombardier model--             Use--              Dated--                       To the--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) airplanes.  Canadair            August 1, 2006....  Canadair Challenger CL-604 AFM, PSP 604-
                                  Challenger TR 604/                      1.
                                  21.
CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet        Canadair Regional   August 9, 2006....  Canadair Regional Jet AFM, CSP A-012.
 Series 100 & 440) airplanes.     Jet TR RJ/152-4.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    TR 604/21 describes revising the Emergency Procedures section of 
the airplane flight manual (AFM) to advise the flightcrew of additional 
procedures to follow in the event of stabilizer trim runaway. TR RJ/
152-4 describes revising the Emergency and Abnormal Procedures sections 
of the AFM to advise the flightcrew of additional procedures to follow 
in the event of stabilizer trim runaway and to advise the flightcrew of 
procedures to follow in the event of MACH TRIM, STAB TRIM, and 
horizontal stabilizer trim malfunctions.
    TCCA mandated the service information and issued Canadian 
airworthiness directives CF-2006-20, dated August 22, 2006, and CF-
2006-21, dated August 23, 2006, to ensure the continued airworthiness 
of these airplanes in Canada.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    These airplane models are manufactured in Canada and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, TCCA has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above. We have examined TCCA's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.

[[Page 51992]]

    Therefore, we are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is 
advised of appropriate procedures to follow in the event of stabilizer 
trim runaway. Failure to follow these procedures could result in 
excessive uncommanded movement of the HSTA and loss of ability to use 
trim switches to override uncommanded movement or yoke disconnect 
switches to disconnect the HSTA, which could result in reduction of or 
loss of pitch trim control and consequent reduced controllability of 
the airplane. This AD requires revising the Emergency and Abnormal 
Procedures sections, as applicable, of the AFM to advise the flightcrew 
of additional procedures to follow in the event of stabilizer trim 
runaway. This AD follows the Canadian airworthiness directives referred 
to previously and adopts the same requirements.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. The manufacturer is currently 
developing service bulletins that specify replacing HSTCU circuit 
boards with HSTCU circuit boards having conformal coating and is 
exploring other interim measures that will address the identified 
unsafe condition specified in this AD. Once new service information is 
developed, approved, and available, we may consider additional 
rulemaking.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD; therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment 
before the AD is issued is impracticable, and good cause exists to make 
this AD effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written 
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an 
address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2006-
25724; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-197-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to <a href="http://dms.dot.gov">http://dms.dot.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of that Web 
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit 
<a href="http://dms.dot.gov">http://dms.dot.gov</a>.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at <a href="http://dms.dot.gov">http://dms.dot.gov</a>, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

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 the 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); 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

0
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]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-18-04 Bombardier, Inc. (Formerly Canadair): Amendment 39-14742. 
Docket No. FAA-2006-25724; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-197-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective September 1, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) 
airplanes, serial numbers 5301 and subsequent; and Model CL-600-2B19 
(Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, serial numbers 7003 
through 7990 inclusive and 8000 and subsequent; certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: The Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 
airplanes may be referred to by their marketing designations as 
RJ100, RJ200, CRJ100, CRJ200, and CL-65.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of uncommanded horizontal 
stabilizer trim motion. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the 
flightcrew is advised of appropriate procedures to follow in the 
event of stabilizer trim runaway. Failure to follow these procedures 
could result in excessive uncommanded movement of the horizontal 
stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA) and loss of

[[Page 51993]]

ability to use trim switches to override uncommanded movement or 
yoke disconnect switches to disconnect the HSTA, which could result 
in reduction of or loss of pitch trim control and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

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.

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    (f) Within 7 days after the effective date of this AD, make the 
applicable AFM revisions specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of 
this AD by incorporating the applicable Canadair (Bombardier) 
temporary revisions (TRs) identified in Table 1 of this AD into the 
applicable AFM.
    (1) For Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) airplanes: Revise the 
Emergency Procedures section of the AFM to advise the flightcrew of 
additional procedures to follow in the event of stabilizer trim 
runaway.
    (2) For Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) 
airplanes: Revise the Emergency and Abnormal Procedures sections of 
the AFM to advise the flightcrew of additional procedures to follow 
in the event of stabilizer trim runaway and in the event of MACH 
TRIM, STAB TRIM, and horizontal stabilizer trim malfunctions.

                                                  Table 1.--TRs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     For Bombardier Model--             Use--              Dated--                       To the--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CL-600-2B16 (CL-604) airplanes.  Canadair            August 1, 2006....  Canadair Challenger CL-604 AFM, PSP 604-
                                  Challenger TR 604/                      1.
                                  21.
CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet        Canadair Regional   August 9, 2006....  Canadair Regional Jet AFM, CSP A-012.
 Series 100 & 440) airplanes.     Jet TR RJ/152-4.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (g) When the applicable TR has been included in the general 
revisions of the applicable AFM, those general revisions may be 
inserted into the AFM and the applicable TR may be removed, provided 
the relevant information in the general revisions is identical to 
that in the TR.

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) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (i) Canadian airworthiness directives CF-2006-20, dated August 
22, 2006, and CF-2006-21, dated August 23, 2006, also address the 
subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use the applicable service information specified 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 approved the 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 Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., 
Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at 
<a href="http://dms.dot.gov">http://dms.dot.gov</a>; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html">http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html</a>.

                             Table 2.--Temporary Revisions Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Temporary revision                      Dated--                             To the--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadair Challenger Temporary Revision   August 1, 2006............  Canadair Challenger CL-604 Airplane Flight
 604/21.                                                              Manual, PSP 604-1.
Canadair Regional Jet Temporary          August 9, 2006............  Canadair Regional Jet Airplane Flight
 Revision RJ/152-4.                                                   Manual, CSP A-012.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 29, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-14617 Filed 8-31-06; 8:45 am]
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