AD 2003-09-04 Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) Airplanes

Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet series 100 & 440) airplanes, serial numbers 7003 through 7999 inclusive; certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR Part 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR part 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular (AC) 25-1529.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To detect and correct in a timely manner fatigue cracks of the pressure floor skin of the center fuselage at fuselage stations 460 and 513, which could result in failure of the pressure floor skin and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane during flight, accomplish the following: Revise Airworthiness Limitations (AWL) Section (a) Within 14 days after May 14, 2003 (the effective date AD 2003-09-04, amendment 39-13133), revise the AWL section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by inserting a copy of Canadair Temporary Revision (TR) 2B-1230, Canadair Regional Jet Maintenance Requirements Manual, Part 2, Appendix B, “Airworthiness Limitations,” approved on July 26, 2002, by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), into the AWL section. Thereafter, except as provided in paragraph (e) of this AD, no alternative structural inspection intervals may be approved for the pressure floor skin of the center fuselage at fuselage stations 460 and 513. (b) When the information in Canadair TR 2B-1230, Canadair Regional Jet Maintenance Requirements Manual, Part 2, Appendix B, “Airworthiness Limitations,” approved on July 26, 2002, by TCCA, is included in the general revisions of the maintenance manual, this TR may be removed. Repair and Revise AWL Section (c) If any crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, before further flight, do the actions specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD. (1) Repair per a method approved by either the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or TCCA (or its delegated agent). (2) Revise the AWL section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by inserting a copy of the new airworthiness limitation and inspection requirements associated with the FAA-or TCCA-approved repair referred to in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD into the Canadair Regional Jet Maintenance Requirements Manual, Part 2, Appendix B, “Airworthiness Limitations” section. Thereafter, except as provided in paragraph (e) of this AD, no alternative structural inspection intervals specified in the FAA-or TCCA-approved repair may be approved for the pressure floor skin of the center fuselage at fuselage stations 460 and 513. Reporting (d) Within 30 days after each inspection required by this AD, submit a report of the inspection results (both positive and negative findings) to Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada; telephone (514) 855-5001, extension 58500; fax (514) 855-8501. Information collection requirements contained in this AD have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. This requirement ends 4 years after the effective date of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (e) 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 ACO, FAA. 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 (f) 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. Incorporation by Reference (g) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the AWL revision shall be done in accordance with Canadair Temporary Revision 2B-1230, Canadair Regional Jet Maintenance Requirements Manual, Part 2, Appendix B, “Airworthiness Limitations,” approved on July 26, 2002, by TCCA. (The approval date of this document is indicated only on page 2 of 2.) The incorporation by reference of that document was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of May 14, 2003 (68 FR 22587, April 29, 2003). Copies may be obtained from Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2002-39, effective date October 25, 2002. Effective Date (h) This amendment becomes effective on October 7, 2003. Issued in Renton, Washington on September 10, 2003. Vi L. Lipski, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 03-23933 Filed 9-18-03; 12:01 pm] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P