Action
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Summary
We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. The existing AD currently requires revising the airworthiness limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness of the maintenance requirements manual (MRM) by incorporating procedures for repetitive functional tests of the pilot input lever of the pitch feel simulator (PFS) units and new repetitive functional tests of the pilot input lever of the PFS unit, and corrective actions if necessary; and, after initiating the new tests, removing of the existing procedures for the repetitive functional tests from the MRM. The existing AD was prompted by a report that the shear pin located in the input lever of two PFS units failed due to fatigue. Since we issued that AD, a new re-designed PFS unit has been developed, which eliminates the need for repetitive inspections. This proposed AD would require replacing certain PFS units with the new redesigned PFS unit. This proposed AD would also remove certain airplanes from the applicability and add certain airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to prevent undetected failure of the shear pins of both PFS units simultaneously, which could result in loss of pitch feel forces and consequent reduced control of the airplane.