Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 53 (Monday, March 22, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15089-15092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-05583]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0971; Product Identifier 2020-NM-083-AD; Amendment 
39-21453; AD 2021-05-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership 
(CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-
1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that threaded fuel 
couplings were incorrectly installed at final assembly and in service. 
This AD requires repetitive functional tests of the auxiliary power 
unit (APU) fuel feed line shroud, a general visual inspection of the 
APU fuel feed line shroud for any loose couplings; and tightening any 
loose couplings, which would terminate the repetitive functional tests. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 26, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 26, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Airbus Canada Limited Partnership, 13100 Henri-Fabre Boulevard, 
Mirabel, Qu[eacute]bec J7N 3C6, Canada; telephone 450-476-7676; email 
[email protected]; internet http://a220world.airbus.com. You may view 
this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 
Operational Safety 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0971.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-

[[Page 15090]]

0971; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, 
Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services Section, FAA, New York 
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 516-228-7323; fax 516-794-5531; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2020-14, dated April 30, 
2020 (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 
Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain 
Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 
airplanes. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0971.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Airbus Canada 
Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 28, 2020 (85 FR 
68257). The NPRM was prompted by a report that threaded fuel couplings 
were incorrectly installed at final assembly and in service. The NPRM 
proposed to require repetitive functional tests of the APU fuel feed 
line shroud, a general visual inspection of the APU feed line shroud 
for any loose couplings; and tightening any loose couplings, which 
would terminate the repetitive functional tests. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address loose fuel couplings, which could eventually 
disconnect and could lead to fuel starvation of the APU and pose a risk 
of fire. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA has considered the comment 
received. The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) stated 
that it supports the NPRM.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, and determined that air safety and the public interest 
require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor 
editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus Canada has issued Service Bulletin BD500-282009, Issue 003, 
dated August 14, 2020. This service information describes procedures 
for repetitive functional tests of the APU fuel feed line shroud, a 
general visual inspection of the APU fuel feed line shroud for any 
loose couplings, and tightening of any loose couplings if necessary. 
The inspection and tightening of the APU fuel feed line shroud 
couplings terminates the repetitive functional tests of the APU fuel 
feed line shroud.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 22 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Labor cost                 Parts cost          Cost per  product          Cost on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 42 work-hours x $85 per hour =              $0  Up to $3,570................  Up to $78,540.
 Up to $3,570.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of any 
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $680....              $0             $680
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    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.
    The FAA is 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.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on

[[Page 15091]]

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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2021-05-10 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-21453; Docket No. FAA-2020-0971; 
Product Identifier 2020-NM-083-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 26, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (type 
certificate previously held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership 
(CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) airplanes, certificated in any category, 
as identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD.
    (1) Model BD-500-1A10 airplanes, serial numbers 50010 through 
50018 inclusive, and 50020 through 50041 inclusive.
    (2) Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes, serial numbers 55003 through 
55016 inclusive, 55018 through 55054 inclusive, and 55056.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that threaded fuel couplings 
were incorrectly installed at final assembly and in service. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to address loose fuel couplings, which could 
eventually disconnect and could lead to fuel starvation of the 
auxiliary power unit (APU) and pose a risk of fire.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Functional Test of the APU Fuel Feed Line Shroud

    Within 4,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
do an initial functional test of the APU fuel feed line shroud, in 
accordance with Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 
Canada Service Bulletin BD500-282009, Issue 003, dated August 14, 
2020. Thereafter, repeat the functional test at intervals not to 
exceed 4,000 flight hours. If any functional test reveals a leak, 
before further flight, do the applicable actions specified in 
paragraph (h) of this AD.

(h) Inspection and Torque of APU Fuel Feed Line Shroud Couplings

    (1) Except as required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Within 9,350 
flight hours or 56 months, whichever occurs first after the 
effective date of this AD: Do a general visual inspection of the APU 
fuel feed line shroud for any loose couplings, and tighten any loose 
couplings as applicable, in accordance with Part B of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Canada Service Bulletin BD500-
282009, Issue 003, dated August 14, 2020.
    (2) For airplanes on which the inspection and tightening of the 
APU fuel feed line shroud couplings was done before the effective 
date of this AD, using Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Airbus Canada Service Bulletin BD500-282009, Issue 001, dated 
December 13, 2019: Within 9,350 flight hours or 56 months, whichever 
occurs first after the effective date of this AD, do a general 
visual inspection of the APU feed line shroud for any loose 
couplings between frame (FR) 63 and FR 80, and tighten any loose 
couplings as applicable, in accordance with Part C of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Canada Service Bulletin BD500-
282009, Issue 003, dated August 14, 2020.

(i) Terminating Action for the Functional Tests

    The inspection and tightening of the APU fuel feed line shroud 
couplings as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD terminate the 
initial and repetitive functional tests of the APU fuel feed line 
shroud specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Airbus Canada Service Bulletin 
BD500-282009, Issue 001, dated December 13, 2019, or Airbus Canada 
Service Bulletin BD500-282009, Issue 002, dated March 18, 2020, 
provided the functional test is repeated at intervals not to exceed 
4,000 flight hours from the completion of those actions specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Airbus Canada Service Bulletin 
BD500-282009, Issue 001, dated December 13, 2019.

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, New 
York ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In 
accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal 
inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. 
If sending information directly to the manager of the certification 
office, send it to ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing Operational 
Safety, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; fax 516-794-5531. Before 
using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 
office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO 
Branch, FAA; or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or Airbus 
Canada Limited Partnership's TCCA Design Approval Organization 
(DAO). If approved by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-
authorized signature.

(l) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) TCCA AD CF-2020-14, dated April 30, 2020, for related 
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet 
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket 
No. FAA-2020-0971.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Darren Gassetto, 
Aerospace Engineer, Mechanical Systems and Administrative Services 
Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7323; fax 516-794-5531; email 
[email protected].
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (m)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

[[Page 15092]]

    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Canada Service Bulletin BD500-282009, Issue 003, 
dated August 14, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Airbus Canada Limited Partnership, 13100 Henri-Fabre Boulevard, 
Mirabel, Qu[eacute]bec J7N 3C6, Canada; telephone 450-476-7676; 
email [email protected]; internet http://a220world.airbus.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on February 21, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-05583 Filed 3-19-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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