AD 2006-10-01

To prevent fluid contamination inside the fire and overheat control unit in the flight compartment, which could result in a false fire alarm and consequent emergency landing, accomplish the following:

(a) For airplanes listed in Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-26-017, Revision “A,” dated September 8, 2000: Within 250 flight hours or 30 days after August 22, 2003 (the effective date of AD 2003-14-17), whichever occurs first, install protective tape on the external cover of the fire and overheat control unit located in the flight compartment per the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-26-017, Revision “A,” dated September 8, 2000.

(b) Installation of protective tape on the external cover of the fire and overheat control in the flight compartment, done before August 22, 2003, per Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-26-017, dated August 4, 2000; or Revision “B,” dated February 6, 2003; is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (c) of this AD.

(c) For airplanes identified in Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-26-017, Revision “D,” dated November 6, 2003; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-26-018, Revision “B,” dated November 6, 2003; on which the requirements specified in paragraph (a) of this AD have not been done as of the effective date of this AD: Within 250 flight hours or 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, install protective tape on the external cover of the fire and overheat control unit located in the flight compartment in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-26-017, Revision “D,” dated November 6, 2003. Accomplishment of this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.

(d) Within 5,000 flight hours or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do a general visual inspection to determine the condition of the protective tape on the external cover of the fire and overheat control unit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-26-017, Revision “D,” dated November 6, 2003.

(1) If the protective tape is not damaged and provides an adequate seal to prevent entry of liquid at the fastener and hinge positions of the unit: Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 5,000 flight hours or 24 months, whichever is later.

(2) If the protective tape is damaged or does not provide an adequate seal to prevent entry of liquid at the fastener and hinge positions of the unit: Before further flight, replace the protective tape with new tape in accordance with the service bulletin. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 5,000 flight hours or 24 months, whichever is later, until paragraph (e) of the AD is accomplished.

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is defined as: “A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.”

(e) Within 20,000 flight hours or 89 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Replace the fire and overheat control unit with a modified unit, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-26-018, Revision “B,” dated November 6, 2003. Accomplishment of the replacement terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (d) of this AD.

(f) Where Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-26-017, Revision “D,” dated November 6, 2003; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-26-018, Revision “B,” dated November 6, 2003; describe procedures for completing a reporting sheet, this AD does not require that action.

(g) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-26-017, Revision “C,” dated November 6, 2003; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-26-018, dated December 2, 2002; or Revision “A,” dated February 27, 2003; as applicable; are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of this AD.

(h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a fire and overheat control unit, part number 472597-01, on any airplane, unless the unit has been modified per paragraph (e) of this AD.

(i)(1) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

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

(j) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions must be done in accordance with Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-26-017, Revision “A,” dated September 8, 2000, or Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-26-017, Revision “D,” dated November 6, 2003; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-26-018, Revision “B,” dated November 6, 2003; as applicable.

(1) The incorporation by reference of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-26-017, Revision “D,” dated November 6, 2003; and Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-26-018, Revision “B,” dated November 6, 2003; is approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) On August 22, 2003 (68 FR 42580, July 18, 2003), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-26-017, Revision “A,” dated September 8, 2000.

(3) To get copies of this service information, contact Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. To inspect copies of this service information, go to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or to the FAA, New York Aircraft Certification Office, 1600 Stewart Avenue, suite 410, Westbury, New York; or to 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 http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2000-35R1, dated July 2, 2003.