AD 2017-19-09

This AD is effective October 24, 2017.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 24, 2017.

For service information identified in this final rule, 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. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0334.

Fabio Buttitta, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Mechanical Systems Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7303; fax 516-794-5531.

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2014-25-01, Amendment 39-18042 (79 FR 73808, December 12, 2014) (“AD 2014-25-01”). AD 2014-25-01 applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 9, 2017 (82 FR 21484). The NPRM was prompted by reports of discrepancies of a certain bolt at the pivot pin link, resulting in corrosion of the bolt. The NPRM proposed to require modifying the NLG shock strut assembly. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the pivot pin retention bolt, which could result in a loss of directional control or loss of an NLG tire during takeoff or landing.

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Canadian Airworthiness Directive CF-2009-29R2, dated December 21, 2016 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. The MCAI states:

Two in-service incidents have been reported on DHC-8 Series 400 aircraft in which the nose landing gear (NLG) trailing arm pivot pin retention bolt (part number NAS6204-13D) was damaged. One incident involved the left hand NLG tire which ruptured on take-off. Investigation determined that the retention bolt failure was due to repeated contact of the castellated nut with the towing device including both the towbar and the towbarless rigs. The loss of the retention bolt allowed the pivot pin to migrate from its normal position and resulted in contact with and rupture of the tire. The loss of the pivot pin could compromise retention of the trailing arm and could result in a loss of directional control due to loss of nose wheel steering. The loss of an NLG tire or the loss of directional control could adversely affect the aircraft during take-off or landing.

To prevent the potential failure of the pivot pin retention bolt, Bombardier Aerospace has developed a modification which includes a new retention bolt, a reverse orientation of the retention bolt and a rework of the weight on wheel (WOW) proximity sensor cover to provide clearance for the re-oriented retention bolt.

Since the original issue of this [Canadian] AD [which corresponds to AD 2010-13-04, Amendment 39-16335 (75 FR 35622, June 23, 2010)], there have been several reports of pivot pin retention bolts found missing or damaged. Additional investigation determined that the failures were caused by high contact stresses on the retention bolt due to excessive frictional torque on the pivot pin and an adverse tolerance condition at the retention bolt.

Revision 1 of this [Canadian] AD mandated the installation of a new pivot pin retention mechanism.

Since the issuance of Revision 1 of this [Canadian] AD, there have been reports of chrome peeling on special bolt part number 47205-1 at the pivot pin link resulting in corrosion of the bolt substrate layer.

Revision 2 of this [Canadian] AD mandates the installation of new special bolt part number 47205-3 with additional processing for increased chrome plating adhesion on aeroplanes equipped with nose landing gear shock strut assembly part number 47100-19 or any assembly with Bombardier (BA) Service Bulletin (SB) 84-32-110 incorporated. In addition, Revision 2 of this [Canadian] AD mandates the installation of a new pivot pin retention mechanism that includes new special bolt part number 47205-3 on aeroplanes equipped with nose landing gear shock strut assembly part number 47100-9, 47100-11, 47100-13, 47100-15, or 47100-17 without BA SB 84-32-110 incorporated. The corrective actions of Revision 2 of this [Canadian] AD cancel and replace the corrective actions of Revision 1 of this [Canadian] AD.

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-2017-0334.

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

The Air Line Pilots Association, International concurred with the intent of the NPRM.

Horizon Air asked that we revise paragraph (g) of the proposed AD to exclude the “Job Set-up” and “Close Out” sections of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-145, Revision A, dated October 18, 2016. Horizon Air stated that incorporating those sections as a requirement of the AD restricts an operator's ability to perform other maintenance in conjunction with incorporation of the referenced service information.

We agree with the commenter's request for the reason provided. We have revised paragraph (g) of this AD to require accomplishment of only paragraph 3.B., “Procedure” of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-145, Revision A, dated October 18, 2016.

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD with the change described previously and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

• Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and

• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

We also determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Bombardier, Inc., has issued Bombardier Service Bulletin 84-32-145, Revision A, dated October 18, 2016. The service information describes procedures for modifying the NLG shock strut assembly by installing a new, improved pivot pin retention mechanism and a new retention bolt. This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

We estimate that this AD affects 52 airplanes of U.S. registry.

We also estimate that it takes about 2 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $0 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $8,840, or $170 per product.

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, but during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

We 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 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.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-25-01, Amendment 39-18042 (79 FR 73808, December 12, 2014), and adding the following new AD: