Airworthiness Directives; MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 6, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54353-54355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19117]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0592; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01023-T; 
Amendment 39-22168; AD 2022-18-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by 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 MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing error 
that can create dents on the lower wing plank, close to the flap arm 
locations at certain wing stations; as a result, cracks could develop 
and weaken the structural integrity of the wings before being detected 
by any existing required inspections. This AD requires an inspection 
for damage (including dents, cracks, discoloration, gouges, scratches, 
or other surface damage) of the lower wing plank in the flap arm areas 
at certain wing stations, and repair if necessary. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 11, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 11, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-0592; 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, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact MHI RJ Aviation Group, Customer Response Center, 3655 Ave. des 
Grandes-Tourelles, Suite 110, Boisbriand, Qu[eacute]bec J7H 0E2 Canada; 
North America toll-free telephone 833-990-7272 or direct-dial telephone 
450-990-7272; fax 514-855-8501; email mhirj.com">thd.crj@mhirj.com; website 
mhirj.com.
    <bullet> 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 at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0592.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deep Gaurav, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart 
Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7300; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain MHI RJ Aviation 
ULC Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on June 2, 2022 (87 FR 33454). The 
NPRM was prompted by AD CF-2021-31, dated September 14, 2021, issued by 
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), which is the aviation authority 
for Canada (referred to after this as the MCAI). The MCAI states that a 
manufacturing error may have resulted in dents on the lower wing plank, 
close to the five flap arm locations at wing station (WS) 54.55, WS 
128.00, WS 179.00, WS 220.00, and WS 264.00. These dents could lead to 
cracks that could weaken the structural integrity of the wings before 
being detected by any existing required inspection.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require an inspection for damage 
(including dents, cracks, discoloration, gouges, scratches, or other 
surface damage) of the lower wing plank in the flap arm areas at 
certain wing stations, and repair if necessary. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-0592.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined 
that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on this product. 
Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in 
the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any 
operator.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed MHI RJ Aviation Service Bulletin 670BA-57-029, 
dated February 2, 2021. This service information specifies procedures 
for, among other actions, doing a detailed visual inspection for damage 
(including dents, cracks, discoloration, gouges, scratches, or other 
surface damage) of the outer aft lower skin at WS 54.55, WS 128.00, WS 
179.00, WS 220.00, and WS 264.00, and repair. 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 14 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:


[[Page 54354]]



                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170...........................              $0             $170           $2,380
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.

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.

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:

2022-18-17 MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Bombardier, Inc.): Amendment 39-22168; Docket No. FAA-2022-0592; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01023-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 11, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to MHI RJ Aviation ULC (type certificate 
previously held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet 
Series 900) airplanes, certificated in any category, having serial 
number 15462 through 15475 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing error that 
can create dents on the lower wing plank, close to the flap arm 
locations at certain wing stations; as a result, cracks could 
develop and weaken the structural integrity of the wings before 
being detected by any existing required inspections. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address dents, cracks, and other damage, that, if 
not detected and corrected, could lead to reduced structural 
integrity of the wings.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection and Corrective Action

    Prior to the accumulation of 8,800 total flight hours or within 
30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
perform a detailed visual inspection for damage (including dents, 
cracks, discoloration, gouges, scratches, or other surface damage) 
of the outer aft lower skin at wing stations (WS) 54.55, WS 128.00, 
WS 179.00, WS 220.00, and WS 264.00 in accordance with paragraph B., 
``Procedure,'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of MHI RJ Aviation 
Service Bulletin 670BA-57-029, dated February 2, 2021. Do all 
applicable corrective actions before further flight. If any damage 
is found during the inspection, before further flight, repair using 
a method approved by the Manager, New York ACO Branch, FAA; or 
Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA); or MHI RJ Aviation ULC's 
TCCA Design Approval Organization (DAO). If approved by the DAO, the 
approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(h) No Reporting Requirement

    Although MHI RJ Aviation Service Bulletin 670BA-57-029, dated 
February 2, 2021, specifies to submit certain information to the 
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the 
inspection can be done, provided the flight is a non-revenue flight.

(j) Other FAA 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. 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 TCCA; or MHI RJ Aviation ULC's TCCA DAO. If approved 
by the DAO, the approval must include the DAO-authorized signature.

(k) Additional Information

    (1) Refer to TCCA AD CF-2021-31, dated September 14, 2021, for 
related information. This TCCA AD may be found in the AD docket at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0592.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Deep Gaurav, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe and Propulsion Section, FAA, New York 
ACO Branch, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone

[[Page 54355]]

516-228-7300; email [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) MHI RJ Aviation Service Bulletin 670BA-57-029, dated 
February 2, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact MHI 
RJ Aviation Group, Customer Response Center, 3655 Ave. des Grandes-
Tourelles, Suite 110, Boisbriand, Qu[eacute]bec J7H 0E2 Canada; 
North America toll-free telephone 833-990-7272 or direct-dial 
telephone 450-990-7272; fax 514-855-8501; email mhirj.com">thd.crj@mhirj.com; 
website mhirj.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: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on August 29, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-19117 Filed 9-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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