Challenger 600 Operators Told To Check For Ice

If you fly a Bombardier Challenger 600 series aircraft, the FAA wants you to be more careful inspecting for ice and frost on the wings. That's the gist of a new NOTAM from Washington, after two high-profile mishaps since November.

As ANN has reported, the first incident happened in Montrose, CO, when the son of NBC Sports executive Dick Ebersol was killed in the take-off of a Challenger 601. The pilot reportedly declined an offer to de-ice just before take-off.

Then, three weeks ago, another Challenger series aircraft ran off the end of the runway at Teterboro, NJ, injuring 13 people.

The NTSB has not yet issued probable cause findings in either case.

The Washington Post reports the FAA's decision came after "a report that even small amounts of frost, ice, snow or slush on the wing leading edges or forward upper wing surfaces can cause an adverse change" that could lead to a stall.

"We are issuing this [directive] to prevent possible loss of control on take-off resulting from even small amounts of frost, ice, snow or slush on the wing," says the directive (see excerpts, below).

NOTAM Excerpts

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) Airplanes and Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) Series Airplanes

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes and Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) series airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manuals to include a new cold weather operations limitation. This AD is prompted by a report that even small amounts of frost, ice, snow, or slush on the wing leading edges or forward upper wing surfaces can cause an adverse change in the stall speeds, stall characteristics, and the protection provided by the stall protection system. We are issuing this AD to prevent possible loss of control on take-off resulting from even small amounts of frost, ice, snow, or slush on the wing leading edges or forward upper wing surfaces.

DATES: Effective February 22, 2005.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the airworthiness authority for Canada, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist under certain operating conditions on all Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes and Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604) series airplanes. TCCA advises that even small amounts of frost, ice, snow, or slush on the wing leading edges or forward upper wing surfaces of these airplanes can cause an unsafe condition where an adverse change in the stall speeds, stall characteristics, and the protection provided by the stall protection system may result in reduced controllability of the airplane. TCCA advises that cold weather operational requirements for the subject airplane flight manuals should include wing leading edge and upper wing surface inspections using visual and tactile means in identifying potential contamination by frost, ice, snow, or slush.

Relevant Temporary Revision Information

Bombardier has issued temporary revisions (TRs) to the applicable Bombardier airplane flight manuals (AFMs) as listed in the following table. The TRs include a new take-off limitation to emphasize the requirement for an aerodynamically clean airplane during cold weather operations. The TRs specify that, in addition to a visual check, a tactile check must be done to determine that the wing is free from frost, ice, snow, or slush when certain weather conditions exist.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

These airplane models are manufactured in Canada and are type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, TCCA has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. We have examined TCCA's findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Therefore, we are issuing this AD to prevent possible loss of control on take-off resulting from even small amounts of frost, ice, snow, or slush on the wing leading edges or forward upper wing surfaces. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manuals to include a new cold weather operations limitation.

Differences Between This AD and the Canadian Airworthiness Directives

Due to the degree of urgency associated with the subject unsafe condition, this AD specifies a compliance time of within 5 days after the effective date of this AD in order to closely coincide with the compliance times specified in the Canadian airworthiness directives. Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2005-01 specifies a compliance time of within 14 days after February 2, 2005 (the effective date of Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2005-01). Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2005-03 specifies a compliance time of within 14 days after February 8, 2005 (the effective date of Canadian airworthiness directive CF-2005-03).

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD; therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment before the AD is issued is impracticable, and good cause exists to make this AD effective in less than 30 days.

Applicability

This AD applies to all Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes and Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, & CL-604) series airplanes; certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by a report that even small amounts of frost, ice, snow, or slush on the wing leading edges or forward upper wing surfaces can cause an adverse change in the stall speeds, stall characteristics, and the protection provided by the stall protection system. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent possible loss of control on take-off resulting from even small amounts of frost, ice, snow, or slush on the wing leading edges or forward upper wing surfaces.

Compliance

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

FMI: FAA NOTAM