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 195 (Wednesday, October 13, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56831-56833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22199]



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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
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under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 13, 2021 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 56831]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0260; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01255-T; 
Amendment 39-21745; AD 2021-20-07]
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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 following an in-
service engine shutdown during taxi, water was found to be dripping 
into the forward avionics bay; the water caused a short circuit and 
tripped a circuit breaker. This AD requires replacing the forward 
galley slotted drain covers with solid blanking plates and modifying 
the associated drain tubing to block water. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 17, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 17, 
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 https://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-2021-
0260.

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-2021-
0260; 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; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation 
authority for Canada, has issued TCCA AD CF-2020-30R1, dated December 
11, 2020 (TCCA AD CF-2020-30R1) (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-2021-0260.
    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 April 26, 2021 (86 FR 21969). 
The NPRM was prompted by a report that following an in-service engine 
shutdown during taxi, water was found to be dripping into the forward 
avionics bay; the water caused a short circuit and tripped a circuit 
breaker. The NPRM proposed to require replacing the forward galley 
slotted drain covers with solid blanking plates and modifying the 
associated drain tubing to block water. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address water ingress into the forward avionics bay, which could short 
circuit the equipment in the bay area and lead to a loss of air data 
sources and consequent reduced functional capabilities and increase in 
crew workload, possibly leading to a loss of continued safe flight and 
landing. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The following presents the comments 
received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the Proposed AD

    Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) stated that it 
supports the NPRM.

Request To Clarify Details of In-Service Event

    Delta Air Lines requested that the FAA review the background 
information contained in TCCA AD CF-2020-30R1, and verify the details 
with Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Airbus Canada) to ensure the 
accuracy of the FAA AD. Delta Air Lines stated that it contacted Airbus 
Canada about the ``in-service engine shutdown'' phrase in the 
background statement, and found that there was no actual engine power 
loss in either event reported and that the flightcrew had reactively 
shut down the engine under normal procedures before returning to the 
gate. Delta Air Lines believes misleading information was communicated 
that caused TCCA to release the TCCA AD with incorrect information.
    The FAA provides the following clarification of the event. The FAA 
contacted TCCA to discuss in detail the events leading up to the ``in-
service engine shutdown'' before publishing the NPRM for public 
comment. In those discussions, it was determined and confirmed that 
while there was no actual engine power loss in either event,

[[Page 56832]]

the flightcrew had shut down the engine for taxi back to the gate out 
of prudence after the CDC 4 AC 2 FEED 1 circuit breaker tripped. The 
FAA has not changed this AD in this regard.

Request To Specify Actions for Preventing Water Ingress

    Delta Air Lines requested that the FAA consider providing interim 
guidance on how or what to inspect if water is discovered in the 
forward avionics bay. Delta Air Lines stated that it is concerned that 
Airbus Canada has not provided operators any guidance for addressing 
water found in the galley area. Delta Air Lines also stated that the 
Airbus Canada's only guidance offered to operators are the 
recommendations in Airbus Canada Limited Partnership All Operator 
Message (AOM) CS-AOM-53-00-0002: ``Make sure the drain lines are free 
of dirt and other obstructions so that fluids drain freely,'' and 
``Where possible, avoid leaving Passenger and Service doors open during 
periods of heavy rain, and eliminate large accumulations of water or 
other fluids in the Forward Fuselage as expeditiously as possible.''
    The FAA discussed this concern with TCCA and it was discovered that 
the Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10/-1A11 Aircraft 
Maintenance Publication (AMP) contains an inspection for liquid 
spillage in the galley area of the aircraft. This special inspection, 
Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Data Module Code (DMC) BD500-A-J05-
51-12-01AAA-284A-A, describes procedures for a general visual 
inspection in the galley area, and a supplemental detailed visual 
inspection if it is discovered that liquid has passed beyond the galley 
into other areas. The FAA suggests that operators consider using not 
only the guidance referenced by the commenter, Airbus Canada Limited 
Partnership AOM CS-AOM-53-00-0002, but also the procedure in the AMP, 
Airbus Canada Limited Partnership DMC BD500-A-J05-51-12-01AAA-284A-A, 
should excessive amounts of water be found in the galley. However, 
because this AD does not require an inspection for liquid spillage in 
or around the galley area, the FAA has not changed this AD in this 
regard.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
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 Limited Partnership has issued Service Bulletin 
BD500-530009, Issue 001, dated July 31, 2020. This service information 
describes procedures for replacing the forward galley slotted drain 
covers with solid blanking plates and modifying the associated drain 
tubing to block water. 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 39 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.............................            $665             $750          $29,250
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected operators.

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 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:

2021-20-07 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-21745; Docket No.

[[Page 56833]]

FAA-2021-0260; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01255-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 17, 
2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (type 
certificate previously held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership 
(CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Model BD-500-1A10 airplanes, having serial number (S/N) 
50001 through 50018 inclusive, and 50020 through 50055 inclusive.
    (2) Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes, having S/N 55001 through 55016 
inclusive, 55018 through 55068 inclusive, 55070 through 55083 
inclusive, 55086 through 55088 inclusive, and 55090.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that following an in-service 
engine shutdown during taxi, water was found dripping into the 
forward avionics bay; the water caused a short circuit and tripped a 
circuit breaker. The FAA is issuing this AD to address water ingress 
into the forward avionics bay, which could short circuit the 
equipment in the bay area and lead to a loss of air data sources and 
consequent reduced functional capabilities and increase in crew 
workload, possibly leading to a loss of continued safe flight and 
landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement and Modification

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the forward galley slotted drain covers with solid blanking plates 
and modify the associated drain tubing to block water, in accordance 
with paragraph 2, ``Procedure,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Service Bulletin BD500-530009, 
Issue 001, dated July 31, 2020.

(h) 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 responsible Flight Standards 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 
responsible Flight Standards 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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) TCCA AD CF-2020-30R1, dated December 11, 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-2021-0260.
    (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; email [email protected].

(j) 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.
    (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 Limited Partnership Service Bulletin BD500-
530009, Issue 001, dated July 31, 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 https://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 September 15, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-22199 Filed 10-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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