AD 2018-20-21

This AD is effective November 20, 2018.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 20, 2018.

For service information identified in this final rule, contact Bombardier, Inc., 400 Côte-Vertu Road West, Dorval, Québec H4S 1Y9, Canada; Widebody Customer Response Center North America toll-free telephone 1- 866-538-1247 or direct-dial telephone 1-514-855-2999; fax 514-855-7401; email ac.yul@aero.bombardier.com; internet http://www.bombardier.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0550.

Steven Dzierzynski, Aerospace Engineer, Avionics and Electrical Systems Services Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7367; fax 516-794-5531; email 9-avs-nyaco-cos@faa.gov.

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variants) airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 22, 2018 (83 FR 29061). The NPRM was prompted by reports of floodlight lamps found burned and the corresponding circuit breaker tripped as a result of fluid entering the cockpit floodlight fixtures. The NPRM proposed to require installation of new gasket seals on floodlight fixtures.

We are issuing this AD to address fluid entering the cockpit floodlight fixtures, which could cause short circuits and damage to electrical components, which may result in a fire in the cockpit.

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority for Canada, has issued Canadian AD CF-2016-40, dated December 15, 2016; and Canadian AD CF-2018-06, dated February 19, 2018; to correct an unsafe condition for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variants) airplanes. Canadian AD CF-2016-40 and Canadian AD CF-2018-06 are referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI.”

Canadian AD CF-2016-40 states:

Several operators have reported a burning odor and smoke emanating from the cockpit floodlights. Bombardier Aerospace (BA) has determined the cause to be fluid entering into the cockpit floodlight fixtures causing short circuits and damage to electrical components. If not corrected, this condition may result in a fire in the cockpit.

This [Canadian] AD is issued to mandate the installation of a new gasket seal on the floodlight fixture.

Canadian AD CF-2018-06 states:

[Canadian] AD CF-2016-40, applicable to Bombardier Inc. model CL-600-2B16 (604 [CL-604 Variants serial numbers 5301 through 5665 inclusive] and 605 [CL-604 Variants serial numbers 5701 through 5988 inclusive] variants) aeroplanes, was issued to address the potential of water penetrating into cockpit floodlight fixtures. A similar condition exists on the CL-600-2B16 (650 variant [CL-604 Variants serial numbers 6050 through 6070 inclusive]) aeroplanes. This condition can cause short circuits and damage to electrical components, which may result in a fire in the cockpit.

This [Canadian] AD mandates the installation of gasket seals on the pilot and co-pilot floodlight fixtures to prevent fluid from entering them.

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-2018-0550.

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

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

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

Bombardier has issued the following service information:

• Bombardier Service Bulletin 604-33-007, Revision 02, dated October 2, 2017.

• Bombardier Service Bulletin 605-33-005, Revision 02, dated October 2, 2017.

• Bombardier Service Bulletin 650-33-001, Revision 03, dated October 2, 2017.

The service information describes procedures to install new gasket seals on floodlight fixtures. These documents are distinct since they apply to different configurations of the same airplane model. 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 123 airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, we have included all known costs in our cost estimate.

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 and associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

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 adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):